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Rock & Roll Fans Pay Tribute To Theater Shooting Victims

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) - Rock and roll fans paid tribute to the victims of last month's shootings at an Aurora movie theater.

Twelve people were shot and killed and 58 others were wounded in the shootings at the Century 16 Theater. On Sunday evening four people remained hospitalized. Two are critical, one is serious and one is in good condition.

Music fans gathered at the Grizzly Rock in Lakewood. It's a sister venue of the Grizzly Rose. They celebrated the lives of those taken too soon. The organizers have a special connection to one of the victims in the shooting.

Motley Crue singer Vince Neil's son and daughter-in-law, Neil and Marie Wharton, live in Colorado. Marie Wharton was friends with Rebecca Wingo, who died in the shooting.

"Basically we just put out the call to the rock and roll community," Neil Wharton said.

Motley Crue and the band KISS teamed up to donate $100,000 to the victims. Motley Crue also donated also donated a signed guitar to be sold in a silent auction.

"With us and the family backing it, we know it's for a good thing," Neil Wharton said.

Vince Neil and the Whartons
Vince Neil and the Whartons (credit: CBS)

"We decided to do this because you feel helpless in this situation," Marie Wharton said.

Neil Wharton is a member of the Rock-N-Roll Junkies, who made their Colorado debut at the event.

"I'm glad to be able to do anything," he said. "It's a great way to give back, to get the community together behind something that everybody can stand for and be proud of."

The Whartons said there were so many local bands that volunteered for the event that it could have gone on for three days.

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