British stars bring Freedom to New York (MACCA'S CONCERT IN NYC)

The Daily Telegraph ^ | October 21, 2001 | Charles Laurence

[MadIvan]

SIR Paul McCartney performed a specially written song called Freedom as he led a star-studded concert in New York last night, which was aiming to raise £4 million for the victims of terrorist attacks and their families.

The Robin Hood Foundation concert drew 18,000 fans to Madison Square Garden by promising the most powerful line-up of British rock stars ever assembled on an American stage, alongside some of the brightest of Hollywood's stars including Gwyneth Paltrow, Meg Ryan, Jim Carrey and the television comic Jerry Seinfeld. Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones was among the many performers who rehearsed for the concert on Friday. Sir Elton John was also reported to have written a special song for the event.

Sir Paul took the lead in organising and promoting the concert, which sold out seats ranging from £1,500 to £4,000. He even set off through the streets of Manhattan with his fiancee Heather Mills to distribute 100 tickets worth £1,500 each to firefighters at their stations after he heard that few were attending because ticket prices were too high.

"We wanted guys from each station. This is a show of strength in support of democracy: we are doing this to raise money for the victims of the attacks and to make our stand against anyone who threatens our freedom. It is going to be an emotional night for us," he said. British stars who answered Sir Paul's call to the stage included Sir Elton, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, The Who and David Bowie, who performed the opening number. The Irish rockers U2 joined American stars including Janet Jackson, Backstreet Boys and Billy Joel in a show which was broadcast live to 40 countries.

Sir Paul was in New York during the September 11 attacks and watched live on television as the suicide hijackers destroyed the World Trade Centre. Immediately afterwards, he wrote a song called Freedom which will close the show.

"This is a right given by God to live in a free world," he sings. "We are talking about freedom and I will fight for the right to live in a free world. And anyone who wants to take it away will have to answer because this is my right."

[MadIvan]

Glad to hear the concert apparently went well. There was an event in Manchester two days ago sponsored by Manchester United to raise money for American firemen and their families. Apparently that went well too.

With you at the first, with you to the last.

Regards, Ivan

But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, "This was their finest hour."

Today is Trinity Sunday. Centuries ago words were written to be a call and a spur to the faithful servants of Truth and Justice: "Arm yourselves, and be ye men of valour, and be in readiness for the conflict; for it is better for us to perish in battle than to look upon the outrage of our nation and our altar. As the Will of God is in Heaven, even so let it be." - Winston Churchill, 1940

This then, my lords and gentlemen, is the message which we send forth today to all states and nations, bound or free, to all the men in all the lands who care for freedom's cause. To our Allies and well-wishers in Europe, to our American friends and helpers drawing ever closer in their might across the ocean, this is the message-lift up your hearts, all will come right. Out of depths of sorrow and sacrifice will be born again the glory of mankind. - Winston Churchill, 1941

"What kind of a people do they think we are? Is it possible that they do not realize that we shall never cease to persevere against them until they have been taught a lesson which they and the world will never forget?" - Winston Churchill, 1941


LET US GO FORWARD TOGETHER - CLICK ABOVE!

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[ZoSo]

If it weren't for the British performers, the show would've stunk.

[newzjunkey]

Amen!

[riley1992]

I caught parts of it and I was surprised how good The Who still looked and sounded. However, off it went when the Stones came on. I detest them.

[GVnana]

Patriotic bump for Sir Paul!

[Aeronaut]

The good news is that Hillory! was soundly BOOed. The schlickster was also booed. The bad news is that they were both there. Anybody heard how much they have donated?.... I thought so.

[ElephantMan]

What was your favorite part of the night? Vote 1, 2, 3 or 4.

1.) Hilary Clinton gets booed so loudly that she just hurries through her introduction and leaves the stage asap.

2.) Bill Clinton receives significant booing from the crowd.

3.) Richard Gere says its time to stop thinking about revenge and start thinking about understanding and compassion and gets a massive and extended booing. (Evidently nobody told Gerbil Boy that the script has changed)

4.) When the police officer said, "Hey Osama, kiss my royal Irish ass!" Then removed his hat and said, "Oh yeah, this is my face, I live in Rockway bitch." And then the crowd went nuts and screamed USA - USA - USA!!!

Tough choice...

Also worth mentioning. 60's legend, hero to the pacifists, Paul McCartney singing his new song, "FREEDOM" which says, "And I will fight, for my right to live in Freedom" much to the shagrin of peaceniks everywhere!

:)

[ElephantMan]

Sorry to post again, but I had to add a thought.

Doesn't it feel GREAT to watch the Hollywood Leftists (BC and HRC included) get booed, jeered, mocked and rendered irrelevant? YES, YES IT DOES!

[ken5050]

I caught the last hour, when Slick and Rudy were on. What I noticed, aside from Bubba's smarmy performance, was that every other word out of his mouth was "I." whereas I don't think Rudy used the "I" word once in his comments..Clinto's psychosis continues to deepen, and it's obvious that he hasn't learned that he continues to trivialize himself.....BTW can you provide any more info on Hillary's reception......

[newzjunkey]

What was your favorite part of the night? Vote 1, 2, 3 or 4.

1.) Hilary Clinton gets booed so loudly that she just hurries through her introduction and leaves the stage asap.

The boos were fabulous. She looked dreadful.

2.) Bill Clinton receives significant booing from the crowd.

Damn! I missed that. My "Mute" trigger finger was too quick.

3.) Richard Gere says its time to stop thinking about revenge and start thinking about understanding and compassion and gets a massive and extended booing. (Evidently nobody told Gerbil Boy that the script has changed)

Well, out of respect for our furry friends (Gerbils) I must protest. However, I nearly threw a brick at the TV when I realize he was going into a "peacenick" diatribe. It's funny, I'm usually a very calm person. But he ticked me off! Blessed be the mute button.

4.) When the police officer said, "Hey Osama, kiss my royal Irish ass!" Then removed his hat and said, "Oh yeah, this is my face, I live in Rockway bitch." And then the crowd went nuts and screamed USA - USA - USA!!!

I don't usually go for such coarse statements but I was with him. The USA bit was great.

Also worth mentioning. 60's legend, hero to the pacifists, Paul McCartney singing his new song, "FREEDOM" which says, "And I will fight, for my right to live in Freedom" much to the shagrin of peaceniks everywhere!

Indeed. I've never been a fan of his (or the Beatles) but he did well. I might have to give him a second look--at least some of his Beatles contributions.

[Jaidyn]

I enjoyed Jim Carrey, too! He showed a side I wasn't sure existed in him. When he said that the era of selfishness was over, I realized that it is indeed, over. So many millions of us have changed our priorities in just a few minutes. Like one of the guys said towards the end of the show, *We all became New Yorkers on Sept. 11.* I will never get over the tragedy but I hope and pray that we never again lose what we found because of it.

[Brian Allen]

Thanks, Ives.

[NautiNurse]

I am crushed that I missed the show, and these delicious events! Brought a Cheshire Cat grin to my face this morning. Thanks for the great descriptions!

[germanicus]

I think I heard McCartney say he was in New York on 9/11. That may be why he feels a part of this cause.

[YaYa123]

I'm scanning every news source I can, and so far, no mention of Hillary getting soundly booed. Grrrrr

I did find one paragraph about "boos" in general, in the LATimes. "In the spirit of New York, it was not without discord: boos greeted actor Richard Gere when he called for "love, compassion and understanding." Acknowledging the reception on a night when other speakers taunted Bin Laden, Gere, a Buddhist, said, "That's apparently unpopular now, but that's OK." and that was it.

[germanicus]

Oh, BTW, anyone else enjoy Clapton on the guitar at the end of the show. That guy can still rock!

[YaYa123]

I did find this from an ABC article: "And for those who want to be able to listen to the performances again and again, the event is being recorded and will be released on a double CD later in the year." I wonder if it will be unedited?

[shadeaud]

When Hillary came on stage, the crowd went totally bonkers. There was a ground swell of boo's that just seemed to escalate as she moved her lips. Honestly, it was difficult to understand even what language she was speaking with the earth shattering noise coming from the crowd. She was only on stage about 45 seconds (45 years to her possibly). It was a true statement of how New York really feels about her and the sinkman, who bored the crowd with his pandering. Hillary was faced with reality last night and couldn't handle it. Her beloved on the other hand could have cared less if they were booing or ooing him. He was there to be seen. I'm surprised Chelsea wasn't there. It truly was a great evening. Too bad Billy Joel has totaly lost his voice

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

I'm sorry I missed this one. I'd have to agree that it's a tough choice, but I'd go with number 1.