Lita Ford, widely recognized for her accomplishments as a solo artist and as a founding member and lead guitarist for the groundbreaking all female group, The Runaways, is bringing her high-energy and hard-rocking show to Youngstown, OH.
Known for thunderous hits like “Cherry Bomb”, “Kiss Me Deadly”, and her collaboration with Ozzy Osbourne on “Close My Eyes Forever”, the widely regarded ‘Queen of Metal’ will be headlining at Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre on May 31, 2025 for Rock The Rich Center. Doors open at 6:30pm and the show begins at 7:30pm.
Joined by very special guest and hometown favorite, The Vindys, this show is poised to kick off the 2025 concert season in grand style while bringing awareness and raising money for a great cause.
Rock The Rich Center is an annual fundraiser that benefits The Rich Center for Autism and the autism community it serves. With the Center for Disease Control currently reporting that 1-in-36 children ages eight and younger are being diagnosed with autism, there is a clear need for increased support and services across the Mahoning Valley and the entire state of Ohio.
The Rich Center is named in memory of Paula and Anthony Rich who perished when U.S. Air Flight 427 crashed near the border of Ohio and Pennsylvania shortly after departing Pittsburgh International Airport on September 8, 1994. The crash left no survivors but from tragedy grew hope and a dream to help those affected by autism.
With The Rich Center’s 30th anniversary occurring in 2025, this will be the first time Rock The Rich Center is held at Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre and with multiple artists performing. The Vindys, now taking the stage for Rock The Rich Center for the third consecutive year, with the addition of the legendary Lita Ford, will bring one of the hardest rocking shows to the area with the ultimate goal of generating awareness and support for not only The Rich Center but the entire autism community.
“Not only is this show going to absolutely rock but it is the perfect fit for this benefit concert,” Rich Center Community Engagement and Event Operations Coordinator Jake Ellis said. “Each year Rock The Rich Center grows larger. It was time to move the show to the amphitheatre to accommodate the crowd. We have two amazing female vocalists and musicians with Lita Ford and Jackie (The Vindys) putting on a show to benefit our Center that was founded in 1995 by a group of very dedicated and determined women.”
Sponsorships for the concert can be purchased now at www.rocktherichcenter.com
Individual ticket pre-sale begins on December 12th from 10am-10pm on Ticketmaster.com using the code RICH and public on-sale begins December 13th at 10am.
The Rich Center for Autism was established in 1995 through the collaborative efforts of the Kosar, Rich (Ricchiuti), and Rubino families who have a shared interest in autism. The Rich Center for Autism, a component of the Youngstown State University Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, & Education, fulfills the mission to prepare educators, medical specialists and other professionals ines for teaching and caring for those on the autism spectrum; to increase knowledge base through the promotion of scholarly research; and to provide public service and advocacy on behalf of those affected by autism. The Rich Center for Autism has no geographic boundary and accepts children of all socio-economic backgrounds and cultures. Children are enrolled in the programs regardless of their caregivers’ ability to pay. Referral, treatment, and support are provided at no cost to families.
News posted by Kara Marie Uhrlen on 12/9/2024.
