Jay Jay French.
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NEW YORK—EyeRock will get a shot of high energy rock ‘n’ roll when special guest, guitarist Jay Jay French of the legendary metal band Twisted Sister, hits the stage at the Hard Rock Café here this Saturday night. French will perform with The EyeRock Band, which is comprised of optical industry singers and musicians who volunteer their talents to help non-profit vision care organizations.

“We’re delighted that Jay Jay French is bringing his special brand of rock ‘n’ roll excitement to EyeRock,” said Jean Gajano, executive director of New Eyes for the Needy, which is the beneficiary of the EyeRock show. “It will be an unforgettable evening of music and dancing you won’t want to miss.”

With its iconic hits, "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock," Twisted Sister turned the music world on its ears in the mid-80s and revolutionized MTV with a pair of accompanying videos that became two of the network’s most popular to this day. French is the founding and only remaining, original member of the band, which has sold 20 million records worldwide. In 2007, Twisted Sister was among the first artists inducted into the Long Island Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame along with Billy Joel.

French’s producer/manager credits include signing Sevendust to their first record deal in 1995. He produced their self-titled, debut album on TVT that held the top two slots as college metal radio's songs of the year and is now platinum.

Included among the performers will be optometry students who, like the other EyeRock band members, are donating their talent to help New Eyes raise money to provide new prescription eyeglasses to children and adults in financial need living in the U.S. EyeRock is also inviting optometry students to participate in a program funded by its lead sponsor, National Vision, Inc. (NVI) and organized by International Vision Expo. Optometry students who attend International Vision Expo’s Student Education Session, arranged by the cooperative efforts of the New York State Optometric Association and the Career Development Center of SUNY (State University of New York’s College of Optometry), will be able to attend the EyeRock show for free and cheer on their classmates as they rock the stage.

The EyeRock sponsors are Aerial Vision, Avesis, Charmant USA, Davis, Essilor/KBco, Eyewear by R.O.I., iCoat, Jobson Optical Group, Marco, Marcolin, McGee, MCQ, Modo, National Vision, Nouveau Eyewear, Ocuco, Spectera, Transitions Optical, The Vision Council/Reed Exhibitions and Zyloware.

“We are so thankful to our sponsors, many coming back for a third year, who make this event possible,” said Gajano. “Their support has allowed New Eyes to help thousands in need in the U.S. get the clear vision necessary to build better lives.”

EyeRock will take place at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square on Saturday, April 16 from 8:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Tickets are available for purchase from the New Eyes homepage, www.new-eyes.org, as well as from the New Eyes Booth #3891 at International Vision Expo and at the Hard Rock Café the night of the show.