For Callum

Fans of DC rocker J. Robbins’ (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Channels) may remember that a while back his latest band Channels, whose debut album I really dug, cancelled their Black Cat appearance due to an undisclosed illness in the family. Seeing as how 2/3 of Channels is Robbins and his wife Janet Morgan the band were hit pretty hard.



Image courtesy of For Callum.

Sadly, I recently found out what illness caused their recent hiatus. Callum Robbins, J. and Janet’s 1-year old son, has been diagnosed with genetic motor neuron disease or Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Type 1). At present there is no cure for this disease and most children with Type 1 don’t live past the age of two. Those who do survive are usually wheel-chair bound and require expensive repeated surgeries.

To help out the Robbins family with expenses DeSoto records founder and Jawbox alum Bill Barbot has set up a paypal donation that can be linked to from this page dedicated to Callum Robbins.

There have been already been Callum Robbins benefit shows in New York, Chicago and DC. Another benefit show is scheduled in Chicago at the Subterranean on April 27th.

Originally published on February 9, 2007.