Posted on 10/21/2001 1:19:38 AM PDT by 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."
Musically, The Who were the high point of the evening. Their 4-song set ("Who are You," "Baba O'Riley (teenage wasteland)," "Behind Blue Eyes," and "Won't Get Fooled Again,") was the only performance other than McCartney's longer than 2 songs. After "I'm Down," and another recent song or two, McCartney played his new song, "Freedom," and then brought everyone back on stage for "Let It Be," the grand finale. Then, Peter Townsend whispered in McCartney's ear, and they played "Freedom" again.
I like to think of that song as the antidote to "Give Peace a Chance" (Chorus: I will fight for the right to live in freedom!)
I bet that they dont include any Hillary stuff when it get's replayed.
FYI it's Rockaway Beach...
The Hillary booing comes about 3 1/2 hours after David Bowie opened the show.
VH-1 showed a 1 hour pre-show, if your friend taped that that would mean 4 1/2 hours into the tape.
While the name of the town is Rockaway Beach, the good Irish lad definitely said "bitch". I loved it!! All the Brits seemed like they were really pulling for US. Almost makes me think they've finally forgiven us for that Boston Harbor incident.
And I was so relieved to get Opera Man's perspective on all this!
Best act: All the firefighers, cops, ems and the kids of those who were killed. Let's not say "lost", we know where they are, and we know they're not coming home. Let's not say "gone", they will be with us always. Let's just put it very bluntly, lest we forget. They were *murdered*. Spin goes both ways, you know.
BTW, loved the commentary here at FR.!!
That guy defines rock. His playing brought tears to my eyes, along with Paul's Yesterday. Several years ago Eric lost his son, Conor, I believe was his name. He fell out of a window in a NY hirise. He must have been playing with great emotion.
The article states that he was in NY on the 11th, but I don't think that is the only reason he feels apart of this; a part of America. How could he not; most of the influences that propelled him into music and massive cultural influence originated here. Elvis, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and last but not least Ed Sullivan. A few weeks ago he thanked the US for their decisive efforts in WWII; he said something to the effect that without the US we would all be speaking German right now. BTW great screen name.
I was sick so I missed the show, really wanted to hear McCartney and his song.
He held up a photo of his brother, Battalion Chief Moran, who was a Freeper - BCM -
One of the highlights for me was when a mammoth firefighter invited Usama to kiss his royal Irish a**.
Wished I was Irish at that moment so I could shout "Mine too!"
Fregards, Riley
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