Concert in the capital

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Oct 22, 2001 Source: CNN - AP Submitted By: Gina Cates The Backstreet Boys opened the concert in the capital with the national anthem. WASHINGTON (AP) -- Tens of thousands of music fans gathered in the capital Sunday to see Michael Jackson, 'N Sync, Aerosmith and an array of other pop stars at a marathon concert to celebrate America and raise money for victims of September's terrorist attacks. "United We Stand: What More Can I Give?" raised about $2 million through the sale of more than 46,000 tickets. It was one of three benefit concerts over the weekend. The Backstreet Boys sang the national anthem to kick off the sold-out show at RFK Stadium. "We can't let them defeat us," said band member Kevin Richardson. "We have to get up, get out and live our lives every day." Dressed in a gold suit, James Brown segued from his classic "Sex Machine" to "God Bless America." The audience sang along to the latter and waved small American flags. Among the other performers were Ricky Martin, Mariah Carey, Bette Midler and Destiny's Child. Parts of the concert is scheduled to be televised in a two-hour special on ABC November 1. Security was tight outside RFK, with long lines forming as police searched concertgoers -- many clad in red, white and blue -- with handheld metal detectors. Maureen Stuck and John Re attended the benefit concert in New York Saturday night, then took a train down to Washington Sunday morning. "Because of what happened I wanted to show support," said Stuck, who was wearing a souvenir T-shirt from the New York event. Paul McCartney, David Bowie and Billy Joel headlined the Concert for New York at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. Country music stars Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood and Sara Evans were among those scheduled for Sunday night's Country Freedom Concert at Nashville's Gaylord Entertainment Center. Proceeds from the Washington concert will go to the American Red Cross Liberty Fund, the Salvation Army Relief Fund, the Pentagon Relief Fund and the Rewards for Justice Fund. Comment on this item. Next Item: Pop Stars Lead Tribute Concert in Washington Prev Item: Superstars Shine For All the Heroes