Niles native and rock ‘n’ roll artist Tommy James will be speaking at a fundraising luncheon in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Hubert H. Humphrey, former vice president and U.S. senator from Minnesota.

This event will will help raise funds to build a memorial on the grounds of the Minnesota capitol and will be hosted by Humphrey’s son, Hubert H. “Skip” Humphrey and former Vice President Walter F. Mondale. The luncheon will take place May 27 at the Minneapolis Club in Minnesota and starts at noon.

The long-time friendship between the rock legend and the high-profile public figure began in  1968 when then Vice President Humphrey asked James to join him in his nationwide campaign for the presidency. Along the way, the young rock artist and the U.S. statesman became close friends, a relationship that continued until Humphrey’s passing in 1978.

James will be speaking of his time with Hubert Humphrey and, along with other dignitaries, will be recognized during the proceedings.