Who's who of music to sing for Sept 11 victims

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Oct 21, 2001 Source: Yahoo Daily News - Reuters Submitted By: Gina Cates By Jill Serjeant WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A line-up that reads like a who's who of popular music over the past 30 years comes together this weekend for a series of all-star concerts aimed at raising millions of dollars for the victims of the Sept.11 attacks in New York and Washington. Friends, rivals, golden oldies and teen bands -- some of whom have never played in the same city at the same time -- will share the stage in New York City Saturday and in Washington, D.C., and Nashville, Tenn., Sunday in a show of songs and solidarity unseen since the 1985 Live Aid concert for famine relief in Africa. The talent roster at New York's Madison Square Garden includes Paul McCartney, Elton John, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, Destiny's Child, the Backstreet Boys, U2's Bono and The Who, to name but a few. A 46,000 capacity crowd at Washington's RFK stadium will see Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, 'N Sync (news - web sites), Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, Aerosmith and, again, the Backstreet Boys and others in an eight-hour show. The line-up for Nashville concert includes country stars Tim McGraw, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Clint Black and Trisha Yearwood. ``The tone is going to be a very energized with hopefully a lot of hits. It is not going to be a memorial in any way, shape or form. It is going to be exciting, much like Live Aid was exciting,'' said Larry Magid, producer of the Washington event. Magid said the impetus for the concerts came from the artists themselves -- particularly rival boy bands Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync, and Michael Jackson, who also organized an all-star charity single. ``We got calls initially from 'N Sync and Backstreet Boys saying they would like to show people that they can get along and do this show together for the first time and be on the same stage and the same city. Then everyone started calling,'' said Magid. Some critics have dismissed the mega-concerts as cynical publicity drives for the stars at a time when patriotism and flying the American flag has almost become a fashion in the wake of the suicide plane hijackings that left some 5,400 people dead. But organizers say the stars are driven by a genuine desire to help and that the concerts could end up raising some $20 million through tickets sales and pledges made by telephone during live television and radio broadcasts. Proceeds will go to special funds set up by the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army and to the Pentagon Relief Fund. ``These people have turned their lives and their schedule upside down in a very short time to be able to perform ... I really do believe that everybody has their hearts in the right place,'' said Steve Smith, chief operating of Clear Channel Entertainment which is organizing the three shows. Former Beatle Paul McCartney, one of several music artists to have released charity singles, said he was doing the New York show to stand up for democracy and freedom. ``September 11th was a threat to that freedom. ... That's why I'll be standing on stage at Madison Square Garden with a bunch of mates in a show of solidarity,'' McCartney said. Reuters/Variety REUTERS Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: Paulo Submitted by: Edward Submitted by: Dirk Submitted by: Carol Clark Submitted by: John Submitted by: Michael Pollitt Submitted by: Halz Submitted by: Kevin Submitted by: John Comment on this item. Next Item: Yahoo! Broadcast Presents "United We Stand" Audio Webcast Prev Item: Lupus Research Fundraiser - Evening of the Senses