Posted on 11/30/2005 1:14:12 PM PST by NYer
History will forever record Elizabeth Brooks' bat mitzvah as "Mitzvahpalooza."
For his daughter's coming-of-age celebration last weekend, multimillionaire Long Island defense contractor David H. Brooks booked two floors of the Rainbow Room, hauled in concert-ready equipment, built a stage, installed special carpeting, outfitted the space with Jumbotrons and arranged command performances by everyone from 50 Cent to Tom Petty to Aerosmith.
I hear it was garish display of rock 'n' roll idol worship for which the famously irascible CEO of DHB Industries, a Westbury-based manufacturer of bulletproof vests, sent his company jet to retrieve Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry from their Saturday gig in Pittsburgh.
I'm also told that in honor of Aerosmith (and the $2 million fee I hear he paid for their appearance), the 50-year-old Brooks changed from a black-leather, metal-studded suit - accessorized with biker-chic necklace chains and diamonds from Chrome Hearts jewelers - into a hot-pink suede version of the same lovely outfit.
The party cost an estimated $10 million, including the price of corporate jets to ferry the performers to and from. Also on the bill were The Eagles' Don Henley and Joe Walsh performing with Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks; DJ AM (Nicole Richie's fiance); rap diva Ciara and, sadly perhaps (except that he received an estimated $250,000 for the job), Kenny G blowing on his soprano sax as more than 300 guests strolled and chatted into their pre-dinner cocktails.
"Hey, that guy looks like Kenny G," a disbelieving grownup was overheard remarking - though the 150 kids in attendance seemed more impressed by their $1,000 gift bags, complete with digital cameras and the latest video iPod.
For his estimated $500,000, I hear that 50 Cent performed only four or five songs - and badly - though he did manage to work in the lyric, "Go shorty, it's your bat miztvah, we gonna party like it's your bat mitzvah."
At one point, I'm told, one of Fitty's beefy bodyguards blocked shots of his boss performing and batted down the kids' cameras, shouting "No pictures! No pictures!" - even preventing Brooks' personal videographers and photographers from capturing 50 Cent's bat-miztvah moment.
"Fitty and his posse smelled like an open bottle of Hennessy," a witness told told me, adding that when the departing rapper prepared to enter his limo in the loading dock, a naked woman was spotted inside.
I'm told that Petty's performance - on acoustic guitar - was fabulous, as was the 45-minute set by Perry and Tyler, who was virtuosic on drums when they took the stage at 2:45 a.m. Sunday.
Henley, I hear, was grumpy at the realization that he'd agreed to play a kids' party.
I'm told that at one point Brooks leapt on the stage with Tyler and Perry, who responded with good grace when their paymaster demanded that his teenage nephew be permitted to sit in on drums. At another point, I'm told, Tyler theatrically wiped sweat off Brooks' forehead - and then dried his hand with a flourish.
Yesterday, Brooks disputed many details provided to me by Lowdown spies at the affair and by other informed sources, scrawling on a fax to me: "All dollar figures vastly exaggerated."
He added: "This was a private event and we do not wish to comment on details of the party."
I guess you are not going to attend.
I am grateful to give my kids the view from the otherside of the tracks, so when they become successful, they can show how far they climbed. lol.
Aside from the millionaire rockers who don't really need more money, at least everything else spent helps to keep the economy and jobs rolling along. Rich, excessive people do tend to give plenty to charity too, so let them have their fun.
Sounds like Daddy was trying to buy friends for his baby.
Kinda sad.
I take it he sent out 1,000 invitations to his own Barmitvah 34 years ago and his 10 cousins and the gentile neighbor were the only ones who showed.
I don't care how he spends his money.
But this sounds a hell of alot like a Dennis Kozlowski moment, I hope the IRS looks into it. I pay 100% of the taxes I owe, I don't want dishonest deductions taken by people to fund this kind of stuff.
The Eagles, Tom Petty, Aerosmith, Stevie Nicks -- it sounds like it was a party for 50-year-old Dad & not the daughter.
It would have been great to be able to shout "You suck!" at Kenny G at the top of my lungs in such an intimate setting.
LOL!
Is this a joke? It better be.
Oy vey. Put...down...the VISA.
Just because you have the money and can do this, does not mean you should. Think of the children, for G-d's sake.
4 REAL (with no apologies to the Manic Street Preachers)
Good thinking. ;)
I've noticed that general trend as well. Not universally true, but I've seen some evidence.
"Call me cynical, but I wouldn't be surprised if this daughter ends up like Paris Hilton."
What I saw her doing, Jewish girls aren't really famous for.
Its not a joke. Its been all over the NY gossip pages & blogs.
that was before plastic surgery. this "chick" can afford to have all the work done she needs.
I'm no investor, but I notice that his company has lost 75 percent of its value since the start of the year. With this kind of spendthrift as CEO, no wonder his company is in the tank.
Now, I feel real, real old. :-)
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