WATERLOO - Duane Conrad ruled Waterloo's teen scene in the 1950s, playing rhythm guitar with Eddie Randall and the Downbeats.

The musicians were one of Iowa's first rock 'n' roll bands, and they set the stage on fire at every sock hop they played. After establishing themselves in the Cedar Valley, the band booked gigs in Minneapolis and Chicago and opened for Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly.

The group broke up in '66, but Conrad stayed in Waterloo. Years later, he and his wife, Shirley, emerged on the Cedar Valley's music scene again - this time as karaoke artists.

On Sunday, Conrad's fans from both eras will raise money to help defray the musician's medical costs. Two weeks ago the 64-year-old was diagnosed with lung cancer.

"He's a founder of rock 'n' roll, and a good friend," said Becky Poock, co-owner of Stagecoach Entertainment, a karaoke company. "We wanted to do something to help him out."

The benefit, sponsored by Stagecoach and Big Dawg Entertainment, kicks off Sunday at the Half Pint Saloon, 1831 Independence Ave. The event will include karaoke, raffles and auctions.

"(Conrad) and his family are going to need financial help," said Bruce Radloff, a Big Dawg part-owner. "We hope this can alleviate some of that headache for them."

The members of Eddie Randall and the Downbeats were inducted to the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Most of the band, including Ray Gautney, Paul Buchanan, George Clark and Monty Tharp plan to attend the benefit, Radloff said. Randall, a working musician in California, is not sure whether he will be able to stop by.

"We're hoping to get some people that have watched the Downbeats in the past to come out and support this," Poock said.

Shirley Conrad said she and her husband are touched that friends planned the benefit.

"We'll be there," she said. "We're going to renew our vows at it."

Contact Mary Stegmeir at (319) 291-1482 or mary.stegmeir@wcfcourier.com.

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What: Benefit for Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer Duane Conrad

When: Sunday, 3 p.m.

Where: Half Pint Saloon, 1831 Independence Ave.

For more information: (319) 961-2425