Feb 14

Amy Winehouse misses Grammys for rehab - Tico Torres missed them to golf

Tico Torres

When you think of rock stars, you think of hillside mansions, all night parties, people in and out of rehab, and self indulgence. Tico Torres, Bon Jovi drummer, is the antithesis of the “rock star” persona. Over the past 23 years, Tico has been a member of one of the most successful rock bands of all times selling over 120 million albums worldwide and topping the music charts with 19 top 40 hits.

This year Bon Jovi was nominated for a Grammy for their “Lost Highway” CD, and Sunday, Tico had to make a choice - go to the Grammys with his band and party like a rock star or stay in Florida and run his charity golf tournament to raise money for one of his favorite charities, the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation that happened to be on the same day as the Grammys.

He could have just as well blown of his own event to attend the Grammys. No one would have blamed him, but he didn’t. Tico, a 7 handicap, stuck around to play in his own tournament at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He wanted to make sure that he met and thanked paying participants for coming out to support his charity.

During the event Tico patiently signed autographs and took photos with everyone who asked, and even shelled out $70,000 of his own money at the live auction at the dinner the night before the tournament.

So in this day of out of control and over paid celebrities, it is nice to know that some are doing good and giving back. Amy Winehouse couldn’t attend the Grammys because she had just been released from a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. Tico Torres couldn’t attend because of a nobler reason: he had to play golf.

Tico Torres, Karen Palacios-Jansen and pro-am team

Tico Torres Tees off.

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8 comments

Comment from: Foster Lewis [Visitor]

First question: "Oh my god, is that Tico Torres!?!?!"

Second question: "Who's Tico Torres?"

02/14/08 @ 10:07

Comment from: Erykah McCormick [Visitor]

Duh, Tico's the drummer for Bon Jovi... Why would u read this if u didnt know that????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

02/14/08 @ 15:09

Comment from: k jordan [Visitor]

Tico Torres is the drummer for the amazing and rocking band Bon Jovi. He is awesome and this is just one of many examples of what great guys all of the Bon Jovi band members are. They have their heads on straight and recognize the importance of keeping some of their lives out of the non stop celebrity 24/7 party scene. This is one of the many reasons I have been a fan for over 20+ years. Their music is great and it is just nice to see some celebrities that live their lives out of the non stop spotlight and are charitable and care about others. These guys care about their families and also those less fortunate than them and actually do something about it.
P.S. If you don't know who Bon Jovi is..... You have probably been living under a rock or born after the year 2003 - I say this because my 6 year old knows who they are! LOL

02/14/08 @ 15:23

Comment from: JenJovi [Visitor]

Kudos to Tico! Actually, I'm not sure any of the guys went to the Grammys ...? And yes, what "K Jordan" wrote sums it up. Amazing musicians, but more importantly, really good people -- Jon's work with the Soul Foundation, Project HOME, Habitat and dozens of other charities; the new Sambora mobile care cancer centers founded by Richie; David's involvement with VH1 Save the Music and Music For All. I'm proud to be a fan of these four guys.

02/14/08 @ 17:33

Comment from: opester [Visitor]

All the guys in the band are nobler than most of the celebs who get the bulk of the attention-it's nice to see some positive publicity about someone doing something responsible-the person who didn't recognize Tico probably knows everything about Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. What a sad reflection on American culture. Rock on, Bon Jovi!!!

02/14/08 @ 20:01

Comment from: Shari Black Velvet [Visitor]

That's awesome. Respect to Tico for choosing charity over the Grammys.

02/15/08 @ 12:04

Comment from: Ron Mon [Member]

Shouldn't a guy named Tico Torres be playing with Carlos Santana, Ruben Blades, or Celia Cruz? Well, it's cool that he's in Bon Jovi, the Goo Goo Dolls of New Jersey. All right, enough busting...I remember two songs by Bon Jovi running through my brain the last time I contended in a tournament...the first was "Livin' on a prayer," which was sadly replaced by "Blaze of Glory" as I struggled to defeat. Long live Rock and Roll!

02/16/08 @ 22:43

Comment from: Drug Treatment Center [Visitor]

All the people in the band is more dignified if it is compared to Celebes who get all attentions but it is good to have some people positive generally on other persons activities. Tico may know everything about Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. But there should be any said reflection if given up the addiction of drug and alcohol.
http://www.edrugrehabs.com/

08/07/08 @ 01:18

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