KIIS and Unite

KIIS and Unite
Date: 1992-04-25 – 1992-04-25
Location: Irvine Meadows Amphitheater, 8808 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, California 92618, United States
Licensor: Sega of America, Sega Youth Education and Health Foundation, Pediatric AIDS Foundation

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KIIS and Unite was a charity concert organized by both Sega of America and the Los Angeles-based KIIS FM radio station. Held on April 25, 1992 at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheater in Southern California, the fundraiser was one of the Sega Youth Education and Health Foundation's first charity events.

History

Background

In early 1992, president Tom Kalinske helped establish the Sega Youth Education and Health Foundation, paving the way for Sega to play a direct role in its charitable contributions as a company. Kalinske was particularly inspired by Anique Kaspar, the daughter of a family friend who was stricken with pediatric AIDS. Encountering the family during a trip to Disneyland and seeing her condition, he was motivated to further his efforts with Sega's charitable front.

Around this same time, following the success of the Sixteen Weeks of Summer promotion, Cheryl Quiroz and Bill Richards from the popular Los Angeles radio station KIIS FM proposed to Al Nilsen that the two companies collaborate on an potential charity concert. The only issue, however, was that they'd be raising funds for pediatric AIDS.

At the time, AIDS was a taboo subject and poorly-understood, with many Americans seeing the condition as toxic or infectious. As a result, many companies of the era tended to shy away from HIV/AIDS-related charity, and KIIS wanted to change this perception. However, they were struggling to acquire sponsors due to the stigma surrounding the condition, and reached out to Sega of America in the hope they'd understand.

Thankfully, Al Nilsen liked the idea and agreed on behalf of the company to sponsor the event. President Tom Kalinske was surprised to hear this, but liked the idea, giving the sponsorship the green light. KIIS received $50,000 in donations from Sega, repaying the company with roughly $200,000 worth in promotional appearances at the event.

Concert

The eight-hour event, held to raise funds for the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, was attended by celebrities such as Celine Dion, Kid 'n Play, Eddie Money, Color Me Badd, Rick Dees, and more.

Ultimately, attendees raises a total of $211,069 in donations for the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Anique Kaspar was even in attendance, who was reportedly "treated like a princess" by Color Me Badd, and was even invited onto stage by Rick Dees.