Some of the biggest names in pop music and Hollywood movies gathered for a special live event honoring New York firefighters, police officers and families of their 'brothers' missing since the collapse of the World Trade Center.
The purpose of the late Saturday "Concert for New York" was to raise money for the families of some 5,000 victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Former Beatle Paul McCartney, the key event organizer, belted out old Beatle tunes while wearing a T-shirt of the New York Fire Department.
Other performers at the Madison Square Garden extravaganza included David Bowie, Elton John, Mick Jagger, Bon Jovi, The Who, Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, Bono, and younger celebrities like rapper Jay-Z and Destiny's Child.
Hollywood starsincluded actors Jim Carrey, Harrison Ford, Adam Sandler, Susan Sarandon, Jerry Seinfeld and Billy Crystal, and directors Spike Lee, Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese.
"Because of the bravery of the policemen are firemen of this city, people everywhere are treating each other with respect and compassion," declared actor Jim Carrey, surrounded on the stage by a group of uniformed firefighters.
"It is the end of a selfish and cynical age, because you have reminded us of who we really are," he added.
Emergency workers, firefighters and police officers were often on stage with the celebrities.
Between laughs and tears, the crowd and the performers sang, booed at the mention of the name of Osama bin Laden, and gave a standing ovation to Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
Children wore the hats of their fallen fathers, who died in the collapse of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, and held up their portraits.
Young widows held the helmet of their dead husbands. Teary-eyed firefighters showed photographs of their friends buried alive under the debris.
The show opened to the strains of "Heroes" by rock legend David Bowie.
Panoramic pictures of the New York skyline, including the twin towers, was projected on a giant screen.
The best seats in the center of the concert hall were reserved for several thousands firefighters and police officers, as well as the families of their missing colleagues.
Given the price of the tickets -- the best seats went for 10,000 dollars -- the sale of television broadcast right, records and DVDs, the show promised to become one of the most profitable charitable events in history.
Many celebrities also organized a charitable auction held by on-line auctioneer E-Bay.
McCartney also sung a tune titled "Freedom" which he composed following the September 11 attacks.
"That's a small thing those people don't understand," he told the audience. "That's what we are fighting for."
McCartney had a personal touch to add. "My father was a firemen during World Word II in Liverpool," he said. "Took some heavy bombings. I'm proud of him tonight. I'm proud of all of you guys."
"In the name of the whole world, thank you!" shouted McCartney as he wrapped up the evening.
The event was sponsored by the musical TV channel VH1, Miramax Films, AOL and Datavision, which owns Madison Square Garden. A telephone number was flashed on the television screen on the VH1 broadcast for viewers to call in donations .
At a similar event on Sunday expected to run for eight hours, another group of pop megastars -- including Michael Jackson, the Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey, 'N Sync, and Aerosmith -- will perform at concert at the Robert Kennedy stadium in Washington.
The "United We Stand" concert, which will raise money for the Pentagon relief efforts and the American Red Cross, will be taped and broadcast on television at a later date -- AFP
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
