Benefit concert held in memory of Tyler McGill.
Randy Baker displays the Bon Jovi autographed Carparelli guitar that was auctioned off Sunday during the Tyler McGill Benefit Concert held at The Birchmount restaurant.
Staff photo/ANDREW PALAMARCHUK
A guitar signed by Bon Jovi was auctioned off Sunday during a concert honouring music lover and Scarborough murder victim Tyler "T-Lar" McGill.
The event raised about $5,000 for ProAction Cops and Kids, a charity that funds police-led outreach programs.
"It was a success. The bands were amazing, the people who showed up were amazing," McGill's mom Carole said.
"It was just a beautiful day filled with love and laughter and tears and hugs...It was an extraordinary tribute to my son."
McGill was stabbed at the drive-through of the McDonald's on Eglinton Avenue near McCowan Road on July 29, 2007. The 22-year-old died in hospital five days later.
Carole said more than 300 people turned out to the concert. It featured a silent auction that included a Carparelli guitar autographed by all the members of Bon Jovi. The guitar went for $3,700.
McGill, a self-taught guitarist, played in a band called United during his high school years.
He worked as a carpenter but wanted to return to school to become a graphic artist.
Carole said the annual concert helps keep her son's memory alive. She said the event turns something "so negative" into "something positive (that) hopefully will benefit a lot of kids."
A dozen bands took part in the concert, which was held between 2 p.m. and midnight at The Birchmount restaurant on Birchmount Road.