ARTS & entertainment
ARTS & entertainment Some Good Old Rock: Just What the Doctor Ordered By Omar Binno We’ve all heard the term, “Music is medicine for the soul,” but three doctors from the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit have taken the phrase to a whole new level. Four years ago, two doctors from the Henry Ford facility decided to form Dr. Detroit, a classic rock cover band whose goal was not only to perform at corporate and festive functions, but to make fundraising for those in need a memorable event by performing timeless tunes from the ‘50s through today. “The guys thought it would be fun and unique to have a band whose members consisted mostly of doctors,” said Mazzin Najor, the lead vocalist and occasional guitarist. “Our doctor image made it more appealing when we began playing at different charity events.” The concept of the band originated in 2007 with two gastroenterologists from Henry Ford: Greg Olds, lead guitarist, and Keith Krasinski, bassist. The Doctor Is In Dr. Detroit has a busy September planned. Among the band’s gigs are Sept. 1 at the Baldwin Center in Pontiac for a Back-to-School fundraiser; Sept. 18 at Bike For the Cure in Troy and that evening on a Detroit Princess river cruise for a Henry Ford Nurses benefit; Sept. 22 at the Hard Rock Café in Detroit for an event to fight ovarian cancer; and Sept. 28 at the Uptown Grill in Commerce Township to help raise funds for a medical mission to Nicaragua. Boys in the band: Ron Kattoo (left), Mazzin Najor, Amit Bhan, Keith Krasinski and Greg Olds. “It wasn’t long after they came up with the idea that I was at a gig where they were performing,” said Ron Kattoo, the band’s rhythm guitarist for the band. “They had two other members who were on their way out and the band needed a lead vocalist. So I introduced them to Mazzin, and we’ve been a band ever since.” The band’s first official gig took place in March 2010 at the Northern Lights Lounge in Detroit. This past April 1, Dr. Detroit performed for a charity event called “Care for Christiana.” “The event was done by Henry Ford,” Najor said. “It was to raise money for a little girl coming from Peru who needed a heart transplant, and we were thrilled that the hospital wanted us to play.” Since then, Dr. Detroit has performed at various charity functions through the March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity and Henry Ford. “Although our style is influenced by The Beatles, we do all kinds of stuff,” Najor said. “We perform covers by Chuck Berry and other acts from the ‘60s and ‘70s.” The Northern Lounge in Detroit became an instant fan of Dr. Detroit, and the venue has hired them to perform on several different occasions. Twenty-one doctors from Henry Ford are going to work for the missions in Nicaragua, and Dr. Detroit has been asked to play at an event to help raise funds for the trip. (See box for a look at Dr. Detroit’s September gigs.) “It’s not only a chance for us to provide people with great music,” said Kattoo. “It’s also an opportunity to help another great cause toward humanity.” One of the band’s long-term goals is to play at Comerica Park in front of a large audience. “We’d love to perform as an opening act for a legendary rock group,” Najor said. “It’d be awesome if it happened to be someone who we model some of our work after.” Follow the band on Facebook. S U B S C R I B E ! 12-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION: I wish to subscribe to the Chaldean News for 12 issues Please fill in your name and address below: Name _____________________________________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________ State _____ Zip _____________________ Phone ______________________________ PLEASE MAIL THE FORM, WITH A CHECK MADE PAYABLE TO: 29850 Northwestern Highway, Suite 250 • Southfield, MI 48034 Phone: (248) 996-8318 • Fax: (248) 996-8386 www.chaldeannews.com E-mail _____________________________ 42 CHALDEAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011
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