GIORGIO GOMELSKY, legendary for his work with the Rolling Stones,Beatles, Yardbirds & numerous festivals, organizes "ROCK IN NEW YORK: THE SOUND &THE STORIES," celebrating 40 years of rock in the city, as a benefit for aids-supportive housing, to take place Sunday, May 7, at Bowery Ballroom.

MTV's KurtLoder, David Johansen (New York Dolls/Buster Poindexter), Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo and Soul Coughing's M. Doughty are among the large group of New York rock celebrities working with Gomelsky on this unique night of rock n' roll history.

Gomelsky, who's lived in Chelsea since the late 1970s, is a legend in the music industry. In Rolling Stone bassist Bill Wyman's autobiography Stone Alone, here calls how in 1962 the young Stones first came to prominence playing Gomelsky's Crawdaddy Club in London. It was Gomelsky who introduced the Stones to the Beatles. It was also Gomelsky's original concept for a film that became (in other hands) A Hard Day's Night.

Years later, as a guest DJ on WNEW, John Lennon would reminisce fondly about the "Rasputin-like" Gomelsky, who showed the young Beatles around London. As a manager, Gomelsky brought the Yardbirds to international fame,and produced several of their ground breaking albums, as well as hit singles like "For Your Love." He also worked in various ways with the Animals, Jimi Hendrix, Ray Davies, Soft Machine, Nico, John McLaughlin, Brian Augur, Magma, Gong and many other stellar rock performers over the years.

His Marmalade Records of the late 60s was a model for later labels like Virgin Records. Gomelsky organized the first ZuriFest, the Swiss jazz festival, in the early 1950s, the first Birmingham Rhythm & Blues Festival in England in the early 60s, and was instrumental in the UK's National Blues Festival for years.

Since moving to New York in the late 1970s, he's orchestrated the avant-garde Zu New Music Mani festival (including Bill Laswell, Glenn Branca, Fred Frith and Rhys Chatham), the legendary Plugg Club, Wonka-Tonka Mondays at Tramps and the Green Door (where he just celebrated his 65th birthday).

Today, as forward-thinking as ever, he hosts and produces his owncable show. And currently he's organizing a unique night of New York rock n roll storytelling:

ROCK IN NEW YORK THE SOUND & THE STORIES

Celebrating 40 Years of Rock in the City Sunday, May 7 Bowery Ballroom, this unique event brings together three generations of New York rock figures from The Fugs to today's emerging bands in a two-part celebration.

PART ONE: THE STORIES
A conversation about the history of rock in New York, told by some of the musicians, promoters, producers and club owners who've made it happen.

PART TWO: THE SOUND
A concert featuring M. Doughty, Tuli Kupferberg, Starr, The Rattlers, Bebe Buell, Marianne Nowottny, The New Mexikans and others TBA.

Giorgio Gomelsky is available for interview concerning this unique event. New York Press presents ROCK IN NEW YORK THE SOUND & THE STORIES Celebrating 40 Years of Rock in the City Bowery Ballroom Sunday, May 7. Come at 5 to hear the stories. The Music Starts at 8

PART 1: THE STORIES 5 P.M.
PART 2: THE SOUND 8 P.M.

A Conversation: A Concert: The History of Rock in New York, They Rock the House! As Told By Those Who've Made It

M. DOUGHTY, DAVID JOHANSEN, KURT LODER, LEE RANALDO TULI KUPFERBERG, FURIOUS GEORGE, BEBE BUELL, STARR, THERATTTLERS, DICK MANITOBA, MARIANNE NOWOTTNY , JESSE MALIN , THENEW MEXIKANS, MARTY REV, GIORGIO GOMELSKY, TISH & SNOOKY, JOHNHOLMSTROM, DANNY FIELDS, MARTY THAU, JIM FOURATT, NOEL FORD,NEIL COOPER, LAUREN ODMAN, MICHAEL SHORE, PETER CRAWLEYPLUS SPECIAL GUESTS $15 Tickets available at Mercury Lounge (217 E. Houston St.), byphone (269-4849) or through ticketweb.com. You must be 21 or older to attend this event. Proceeds to benefit Flemister House AIDS-supportive housing.