article

[thewho rocks <leb905@yahoo.com>]

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20011021/en/attacks_benefit_concert_11.html

Legends Perform for Benefit Concert

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY, AP Music Writer 

NEW YORK (AP) - Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Elton John, Billy
Joel joined other performers Saturday in a ``Concert for New York,''
which served as a benefit for the city while celebrating its resiliency
in a time of crisis. 

David Bowie kicked off the mammoth concert with a poignant rendition
of Paul Simon's ``America,'' then rocked a crowd that included
thousands of firefighters, police officers and rescue workers with the
appropriately titled ``Heroes.'' 

``It's an absolute pleasure to play for you tonight,'' Bowie told the
crowd at ``Concert for New York,'' which was broadcast from
Madison Square Garden live on VH1. 

Despite the tragic circumstances that led to the concert, the
star-studded event was anything but somber - instead, it was a raucous
celebration. 

One of the biggest ovations was reserved for the 6,000 firefighters,
police officers and rescue workers honored for their heroic efforts in
the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center. 

``Tonight is dedicated to you,'' comedian Billy Crystal said as the
crowd roared its approval. Many in the audience held up pictures of
police officers or firefighters who died. 

``I met children who lost their daddies and I met a lot of people who
survived,'' former President Clinton (news - web sites) said backstage.
``This is the first time they've had a chance to clap their hands and
shout and dance. This is a great gift to them.'' 

Celebrity presenters including Harrison Ford and Susan Sarandon
brought rescue workers on stage and lauded them for their heroics. The
guests then introduced performers. 

Firefighters and police officers laughed and danced in the aisles.
``Saturday Night Live (news - Y!TV)'' cast member Will Ferrell got
laughs with his impersonation of President Bush (news - web sites),
and Adam Sandler reprised his Operaman character in a risque segment
that mocked Osama bin Laden (news - web sites). 

``There's not a day that goes by that people don't want to laugh,''
Sandler said backstage. ``People are in great pain and you want to just
laugh and feel good for a minute and that's what comedy is trying to
do right now.'' 

When Joel sang the first few lines of ``New York State of Mind,'' the
crowd went wild.  ``You look out from the stage, and you see a sea of
blue,'' Joel said backstage. ``You see firemen, you see cops, and these
guys risk their lives everyday. They do this all the time ... to be
able to see a smile on some of these people's faces - they've gone
through so much, they've lost so many of their friends.'' 

Among the evening's most inspired performances included The Who, which
energized the crowded with renditions of hits such as ``Baba O'Riley,''
and ``Behind Blue Eyes,'' and Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, who sang
``Salt of the Earth'' and ``Miss You.'' 

The evening also had its somber moments. Destiny's Child performed a
stirring gospel medley after singing their hit, ``Emotions,'' while the
Backstreet Boys (news - web sites) dedicated their performance to one
of their tour crew members who was on the plane that hit a tower of the
World Trade Center. 

Interspersed with the performances were short films celebrating the
spirit of the city by directors including Woody Allen and Martin
Scorsese. In addition, the concert featured appearances from New
York sports figures, including the Knicks' Allan Houston, Yankees
manager Joe Torre and Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson. 

Paul McCartney was the night's final act. Wearing an American flag pin
and T-shirt with ``FDNY'' printed on the back, the former Beatle sang
five songs, including ``Lover to a Friend,'' a new single he said would
raise money for the Sept. 11 Fund, ``Yesterday,'' and ``Freedom,''
which he wrote in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attack. It's
lyrics included the line, ``I will fight for the right to live in
freedom.'' 

``This is one of the greatest nights for me,'' he told the crowd. ``I
want to thank you guys for everything you've done, on behalf of the
British, on behalf of America, on behalf of the world.'' 

The finale featured McCartney leading members of the night's all-star
cast singing ``Let it Be,'' joined by a few police officers,
firefighters and other emergency workers, then a reprise of
``Freedom.'' 

A telephone number was featured so viewers could phone in donations;
all proceeds are going to charities to benefit the victims of New
York's terrorist attacks, organizers said. James Dolan, president and
CEO of Cablevision, which helped put the concert together, said ticket
sales had already raised $14 million. 

A two-disc CD set featuring music from the show is expected to be
released by Columbia in November with much of the proceeds going to
charity. 

The concert is one of three all-star concerts this weekend. On Sunday,
Michael Jackson, the Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey, 'N Sync (news - web
sites), Aerosmith (news - web sites) and others will perform during an
eight-hour concert in Washington. CMT will broadcast a 21/2-hour live
concert from Nashville, Tenn., featuring Tim McGraw, Sara Evans, Brooks
& Dunn, Alan Jackson and other country stars Sunday night. 

  - 

Eds: AP Entertainment Writer Christy Lemire contributed to this report.



=====
Don't meddle in the affairs of dragons, because you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals.
http://personals.yahoo.com