Guitarist Jim Jones, one of the most respected and well-liked musicians to emerge from Cleveland's rock scene, has died at the age of 57 after suffering for over a decade with multiple health problems. Jones became part of Cleveland's storied '70s underground music community, playing with raucous underground legends Mirrors and the Styrenes in the '70s. Later in the '70s, he roadied for the kings of that scene, Pere Ubu, and formed the duo Foreign Bodies. In the early '80s, he formed the Easter Monkey with singer/artist Chris Yarmock and played with Ubu members' Scott Krauss and Tony Maimone's experimental project Home and Garden. He worked with Ubu singer David Thomas's Pedestrians and Wooden Birds in the mid- '80s, which led to his joining Pere Ubu itself in 1987 when the band regrouped following a hiatus. Jones was known for guitar work that was informed by the out-of-the-box thinking of the underground art-punk scene but still focused and economical. Jones stepped out of Pere Ubu's touring lineup in 1995 due to health problems, although he continued to record with the group and to run its merchandise arm, Ubutique, until he was sidelined by increasingly poor health. Jones was also familiar to many in the area music scene from his 15 years working for Record Rendezvous and owning his own record store, Platter-puss Records, in the '80s; he was known as an eclectic music fan eager to share his enthusiasm with customers and friends. An informal tribute gathering will take place from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at the Beachland Tavern (15711 Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124) to which friends, acquaintances and admirers are invited to bring photos, recordings and memories to share. A possible tribute concert is being talked about for sometime this spring. - Anastasia Pantsios

Beachland Celebrates Anniversary

It's been eight long years since the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern (15711 Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124) opened its doors to become the city's most eclectic live music venue. To mark the anniversary, the club is hosting a weekend (and then some) of top-billed shows. It all starts with the return of those loveable nerds They Might Be Giants, who play the Ballroom at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27. The rest of the weekend includes the Second Annual Autism Benefit with Beachland staples Todd Snider and Tim Easton (Feb. 29), local oddball/one-of-a-kind performance artist and singer Baby Dee (Feb. 29), veteran garage/surf rockers the Trashmen (March 1), acclaimed singer-songwriter Paul Thorn (March 1) and hard-hitting locals Roue (March 1). Ticket prices vary so consult the club's Web site (beachlandballroom.com) for more information. As a side note, the Trashmen, a Minnesota-based band with decades' worth of material to their name (including the chart hit "Surfin' Bird") are part of an hour-long question-and-answer session that takes place at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 1 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Fourth Floor Theatre. The event is free but you must RSVP at 216.515.1939. - Jeff Niesel

ROC Bar Opens

Betting that the Flats will make a slow comeback, a new bar/music venue dubbed ROC Bar (1220 Old River Rd., 216.771.6655) has just opened. Located on the East Bank of the Flats across the street from the shuttered Odeon, ROC Bar has been totally gutted and fitted with new fixtures and features a booming sound system and a large stage. The bar also has a large patio overlooking the lake for all the smokers. It's fitted with all new chrome fixtures, several large flat-screen TVs and a fully stocked bar. Admission is starting relatively low (around $5), and the club's offering drink specials as well. Bar manager Shauna Steiner is hoping this formula will draw local music fans back to the Flats, which used to be a destination for music fans. National act Sponge as well as Phestur play the grand opening on Friday, March 7 followed the next evening by 11 After and SYREN. DJ Suspiria also spins glam, metal and rock on Wednesday, March 12. For more info, go to rocbarcleveland. com. - Lois Elswick

Autism Benefit Shows

The National Autism Association's Northeast Ohio Chapter is holding two benefit concerts in Northeast Ohio. At 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, singer-songwriters Tim Easton and Zach will share the stage at Musica (17-19 Maiden Ln., Akron). At 7 p.m. the following night, Friday, Feb. 29, Easton pairs up with Todd Snider for a show at the Beachland Ballroom (15711 Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124) with WRUW-FM 91.1 DJ Charlie Saber playing music between sets. Tickets for the Cleveland show are $30 advance, $35 day of show; Akron tickets are $20 advance, $25 at the door. Go to autismnortheastohio.org for info. - AP

Halim el-dahb Birthday Bash

Standing Rock Cultural Arts celebrates the 87th birthday of eminent musician and Kent State professor emeritus Halim el-Dahb at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4 at the North Water Street Gallery (257 N. Water St., Kent, 330.673.4970, standingrock.net). The Egyptian-born avant-garde composer and multi-instrumentalist, whose work incorporates classical music, world music, jazz, rock and electronic music, has written and recorded in so many formats, projects and countries in his 70-year career, you'll need to go to halimeldabh.com to learn more about them. The party will feature music by Brian Klemmpt and the African Drum Community and a performance of "Ahpepe and Re" by Brian Thomas. It's free and open to the public. - AP

School of Rock For Adults

The Paul Green School of Rock, which has been turning kids into rock 'n' roll machines, now offers something for the grown-ups. The school's Rocky River branch (20148 Detroit Rd.) kicks off its rock grad school for adults who want to hone their chops and get the thrill of playing in a band. As with the kids' classes, instruction encompasses both lessons on instruments and practice in band format with other players, and the adults too will get to play out in a local club at the end of the course. Open to both experienced musicians and beginners, the 15-week course meets on Mondays, and started with an orientation/open house this past Monday, Feb. 25. There may still be time to enroll if you act quickly; call 440.333.7625 for info. - AP

Jon Fishman Joins Yonder Mountain String Band

Jon Fishman, drummer of now defunct Phish, came to Columbus last week while on a small two-city run with the Yonder Mountain String Band. Upon taking the stage, frontman Jeff Austin and company immediately announced they were going to play a few without Fishman on the drum kit. Yonder staples such as "Side Show Blues" and "Raleigh & Spencer" were just enough before a monstrous "Troubled Mind" and "20 Eyes." By the time Fishman took the stage (we later found out the delay was due to Fishman watching the lunar eclipse), Yonder was at the tail end of a 14-song first set. Fishman emerged to a huge ovation, leading the band right into a cover of Danny Barnes' "Crow Black Chicken" that sent the crowd into a hip-swaying frenzy. Set one was in the books. YMSB: 14 songs, Jon Fishman: 1. Thanks lunar eclipse! The second began with the band exclaiming how excited it was to be a rock band for a change. And a rock band it was indeed. Sure, the second set had bluegrass favorites like Bill Monroe's' "Kentucky Mandolin" and "Ramblin' in the Rambler" which sandwiched the instrumental gem "Midwest Gospel Radio" and John Hartford's '70s bluegrass/reggae number "Two Hits and the Joint turned Brown." However, a cover of The Allman Brothers' "Whipping Post" and an encore jam of Talking Heads' "Girlfriend is Better" gave the band and crowd the rock show feel that indeed made the night so special for so many. Fishman's ear-to-ear smile the entire show provided a glimpse of what just might happen when you take one of the largest bluegrass bands on tour and add the drummer from arguably the biggest jam band in history. - Jeremy Hills