Stephen King Returns as Rock Bottom Remainders Embark on One-City Tour

During this year's BookExpo America, the legendary Rock Bottom Remainders will embark on their "Still Younger Than Keith" tour, which will begin (and end) on Friday, June 1, at Webster Hall in New York City. The "tour" will mark Stephen King's return to the Rock Bottom Remainders (RBR) after a five-year absence.

"We are calling it a tour, because that's what the Beatles did, that's what the Stones do, and that's what's the Police do," said RBR road manager Ted Habte-Gabr. RBR band member Dave Barry added, "We're going to sort of tour around New York while we're there, or at least around the hotel, or at least around the hotel bar." On May 31, the day before the big event, the band is scheduled to appear on Good Morning America.

King, an RBR founder, will rejoin band mates Dave Barry, Amy Tan, Mitch Albom, Scott Turow, Ridley Pearson, Greg Iles, Matt Groening, James McBride, Roy Blount Jr., and Kathi Goldmark. Also part of the group this year are Frank McCourt and Andy Bororwitz.

Musician Roger McGuinn, co-founder of the seminal folk-rock group The Byrds, will appear as "musical minder" for the group of literary figures, who for one night at least would rather rock than write. And, according to the band's website, RBR now boasts "50 percent less musical suckitude."

The June 1 event will benefit three charities: 826NYC, the New York affiliate of the national organization founded by author Dave Eggers, to support students ages 8 to 16 with creative and expository writing skills; Get Caught Reading, a nationwide campaign designed to show people of all ages how much fun it is to read; and the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the booksellers' voice in the fight against censorship, which promotes and protects the free exchange of ideas, particularly those in books. In its 15-year existence, RBR's line-up of bestselling authors and rock stars has raised more than $1.5 million for charities through annual concert tours.

RBR arrives at Webster Hall with a full complement of rock'n'roll memorabilia that will be auctioned online to benefit the three charities. The online auction items include a guitar by signed by the entire band, a signed -- and official -- RBR Lunch Box, books, guitars signed by other artists, and rock-related items, including collectible posters, summer concert tickets, rock-themed artwork, and photographs. One lucky person will also have a chance to sit in with RBR for a number at the Webster Hall gig.

RBR is also creating what its members believe is an industry first -- The Blogdown: Still Younger Than Keith. For 30 days, The Blogdown will feature postings by RBR members as well as previously unreleased video of the group in action and from one of their "Besides the Music" events."

Tickets for the Webster Hall event are priced at $25. RBR is also offering a special $250 ticket that includes a pre-concert meet-and-greet VIP reception with members of the band. For more information about RBR's Webster Hall concert, or to buy tickets, visit www.rockbottomremainders.com.