From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Concert for New York City
The Concert for New York City
The Concert for New York City various celebrities and political figures including Howard
Stern and Rudy Giuliani appeared between the acts.
Many athletes also appeared between the acts includ-
ing Joe Torre, whose Yankees were on their way to com-
peting in their fourth consecutive World Series. The con-
cert also included several short films made by New York
City’s most notable filmmakers such as Woody Allen,
Martin Scorsese, and Spike Lee.
Over 60 stars that participated in the concert signed
unique memorabilia backstage at Madison Square Garden
that was later auctioned off on eBay to support The Robin
Hood Relief Fund. The autographed items included 3
large posters of the concert and 3 customized 24" drum-
heads. Other items included a complete drumset and gui-
tar.
Audience reaction
Much of the crowd itself was extremely emotional, with
victims’ family members and colleagues holding up por-
Poster for the concert
traits of the dead. Three speakers were booed: actress Su-
Location(s) Madison Square Garden san Sarandon (for plugging New York mayoralty candi-
date Mark Green), actor Richard Gere (for speaking about
Founded by Paul McCartney
non-violent tolerance), and New York Senator Hillary
Date(s) October 20, 2001 Rodham Clinton (before saying anything at all). Hillary
Genre Benefit concert Clinton did not overtly acknowledge the reaction, and
spoke over the noise of the crowd by raising her voice.
The Concert for New York City was a benefit concert, fea- (In contrast, her husband former President Bill Clinton
turing many famous musicians, that took place on Octo- also appeared, but was very positively received by the
ber 20, 2001 at Madison Square Garden in New York Ci- crowd.) Richard Gere did acknowledge the crowd’s jeer-
ty in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. Aside ing at his pacifist stance, stating, "That’s apparently un-
from performing for charity, the concert was an attempt popular right now, but that’s all right." The repeats and
to honor the first responders from the New York Fire DVD version were digitally edited to remove the booing,
Department and New York Police Department, their fam- and replaced it with dubbed cheering for Hillary Clin-
ilies, and those lost in the attacks and those who had ton.[1]
worked in the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts in the Adam Sandler’s performance of Operaman was con-
weeks since that time. sidered by many to be one of the highlights of the night.
The concert was organized by Paul McCartney and He sang a humorous song about Rudy Giuliani’s term as
included many of his legendary British contemporaries, mayor ending, the New York Yankees who were about
including The Who, Rolling Stones bandmates Mick Jag- to start playing in the 2001 ALCS, the musical acts of the
ger and Keith Richards, David Bowie, Elton John, and Eric night so far (which included how Destiny’s Child gave
Clapton. American artists included Bon Jovi, Jay-Z, Adam Sandler a "boner"), and how Osama Bin Laden is
Destiny’s Child, the Backstreet Boys, James Taylor, Billy a coward which included the line "Osama says he’s tough,
Joel, Melissa Etheridge, Five for Fighting, Goo Goo Dolls, Osama says he’s brave/Then tell me why Osama is shitting in a
John Mellencamp with Kid Rock, and a humorous perfor- cave!"
mance by Adam Sandler as "Operaman," singing a med- Musically, the audience responded most fervently to
ley covering the events of 9/11, the greatness of New The Who, roaring as they came on stage with a roiling
York City, and about Osama Bin Laden being a coward. "Who Are You", drowning out the band on the famous
Paul Shaffer acted as Musical Director for the show and "It’s only teenage wasteland" refrain of "Baba O’Riley,"
and reaching a peak of excitement with "Won’t Get
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Concert for New York City
Fooled Again." The backdrop for the band consisted of an • Backstreet Boys - Performance: "Quit Playing Games
American flag alongside the British flag, showing solidar- (With My Heart)"
ity. Vocalist Roger Daltrey’s final words to the crowd of • David Spade - Introduce Melissa Etheridge
first responders and their families were: "We could nev- • Melissa Etheridge - Performance: "Come To My
er follow what you did." This performance would turn Window", "Born To Run"
out to be bassist John Entwistle’s final performance in • Halle Berry - Introduce Spike Lee short film
America with the Who; he died of a heart attack only • Spike Lee - Short film: "Come Rain or Come Shine"
eight months later. Multi-instrumentalist Jon Carin, who • John Cusack - Introduce The Who
had worked with the band during the group’s 1996–1997 • The Who - Performance: "Who Are You", "Baba
tours, played keyboards at this performance in place of O’Riley", "Behind Blue Eyes" "Won’t Get Fooled
longtime keyboardist John "Rabbit" Bundrick. Again"
Other highlights included David Bowie’s opening tan- • George Pataki - Speech
dem of Paul Simon’s "America" and his own "Heroes", • John Cusack - Introduce Woody Allen short film
dedicated to his local ladder company, and New York’s • Woody Allen - Short film: "Sounds from the Town I
own Billy Joel’s "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out Love"
on Broadway)" where Joel says after singing it, "I wrote • Mike Myers - Introduce Mick Jagger and Keith
that song 25 years ago as a science fiction song. I never Richards
thought it would really happen. But unlike the end of • Mick Jagger and Keith Richards - Performance: "Salt
that song... we ain’t going anywhere!" Elton John’s sen- of the Earth", "Miss You"
timental "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" was also well re- • Howard Stern - Introduce short film: "I Am A New
ceived, among other performances. Yorker"
• Julia Styles - Introduce Macy Gray
Lineup and songs • Macy Gray - Performance: "With A Little Help From
My Friends"
In order of appearance:[2] • Hillary Clinton - Introduce Jerry Seinfeld short film
• David Bowie - Performance: "America", "Heroes" • Jerry Seinfeld - Short film: "The Greatest City on
• Billy Crystal - Comedy Routine Earth"
• Tom Daschle - Speech • Bill Clinton - Introduce James Taylor
• Bon Jovi - Performance: "Livin’ on a Prayer", • James Taylor - Performance: "Fire and Rain", "Up on
"Wanted Dead Or Alive", "It’s My Life" the Roof"
• Mark Wahlberg - Jay-Z’s Introduction • Michael J. Fox- Introduce Rudy Giuliani
• Jay-Z - Performance: "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" • Rudy Giuliani - Speech
• Goo Goo Dolls - Performance: "American Girl", "Iris" • Jimmy Fallon - 80’s Hits to "You Can’t Touch This"
• Susan Sarandon - Speech • Jon Bon Jovi - Introduce Kevin Smith short film
• Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro - Introduce • Kevin Smith - Short film: "Why I Love #$%&@ New
Martin Scorsese short film York"
• Martin Scorsese – Short film: "The Neighborhood" • John Mellencamp - Performance: "Peaceful World"
• Billy Joel - Performance: "Miami 2017 (Seen the • John Mellencamp and Kid Rock - Performance: "Pink
Lights Go Out on Broadway)", "New York State of Houses"
Mind" • Hilary Swank - Introduce Five For Fighting
• Will Ferrell - (as President George W. Bush) - Comedy • Five For Fighting - Performance: "Superman (It’s Not
Routine: On The Taliban Easy)"
• Chris Kattan - Introduce Destiny’s Child • Janet Jackson - Performance: "Together Again"
• Destiny’s Child- Performance: "Emotion", "Walk • Elton John - Performance: "I Want Love", "Mona
With Me (Gospel Medley)" Lisas and Mad Hatters"
• Harrison Ford - Thank you to Sponsors, Introduce • Elton John and Billy Joel - Performance: "Your Song"
Eric Clapton • Jim Carrey - Introduce Paul McCartney
• Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy - Performance: "Hoochie • Paul McCartney - Performance: "I’m Down", "Lonely
Coochie Man" Road", "From a Lover to a Friend", "Yesterday",
• Christy Turlington - Introduce Edward Burns short "Freedom" (new song), "Let It Be" and "Freedom"
film (reprise)
• Edward Burns - Short film: "Lovely Day"
• James Lipton - Introduce Operaman
• Adam Sandler - (as Operaman) - Sings Operaman
Short films
• Meg Ryan - Introduce Backstreet Boys The following short films were shown during the concert,
here sorted by director:[2]
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Concert for New York City
• Woody Allen – "Sounds from a Town I Love" The entire uncut version of the 51⁄2 hour concert was
• Edward Burns – "Lovely Day" rebroadcast on VH1 Classic January 1, 2008. It was nomi-
• Ric Burns – "New York: A Documentary Film" nated for an EMMY for best music/comedy special (Greg
• Christian Charles – "The Greatest City on Earth" Sills, Fred Graver and Paul Flattery) and for best produc-
• Spike Lee – "Come Rain or Come Shine" tion design (by SNL vet Keith Raywood).
• Martin Scorsese – "The Neighborhood" A one hour highlight show was broadcast on CBS the
• Jerry Seinfeld – "The Greatest City on Earth" following month. An album and DVD of the event was re-
• Kevin Smith – "Why I Love New #*$%!&@ York" leased in January 2002.[2]
An encore of the entire concert ran on September 11,
Sounds from a Town I Love 2011 to commemorate the 10th anniversary, commercial
Sounds from a Town I Love (sometimes incorrectly referred free and unedited, from 4-10pm.
to as Sounds from the Town I Love)[3][4][5] is a 2001 comedy
film of approximately three minutes, written and direct-
ed by Woody Allen. The film was first shown during The CD release
Concert for New York City.[6] The film consists purely of A double CD of the event was released by Sony on Novem-
cell-phone conversation snippets of twenty-two random ber 27, 2001, containing 32 tracks.[10]
people walking through the streets of New York City.[6]
Ranging from complainers to neurotic worriers convers- Disc one Disc two
ing about bizarre or amusing situations, they and their
1. "America" - David Bowie 1. "FDNY" - Mike
comments are unrelated to one another. The film ends
2. "Heroes" - David Bowie Moran
with a message from Woody Allen: "I love this town."
3. "Livin’ on a Prayer" - 2. "Who Are You" - The
John Cusack introduced the film with a message from
Bon Jovi Who
Woody Allen: "I apologize in advance for my short movie.
4. "Wanted Dead Or Alive" 3. "Baba O’Riley" - The
The cause was so worthwhile that I could not say no
- Bon Jovi Who
when approached to contribute something to this won-
5. "It’s My Life" - Bon Jovi 4. "Won’t Get Fooled
derful show. I did the best I could. If you hate it, I will
6. "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" - Jay-Z Again" - The Who
try to make it up to you somehow in the future." In ad-
7. "American Girl" - Goo 5. "Come To My
dition to longtime Allen collaborators Marshall Brickman
Goo Dolls Window" - Melissa
and Tony Roberts, among the people seen in the film are
8. "Miami 2017" - Billy Joel Etheridge
Austin Pendleton, Griffin Dunne, Michael Emerson, Bebe
9. "New York State of 6. "Born To Run" -
Neuwirth, and Celia Weston.[7]
Mind" - Billy Joel Melissa Etheridge
10. "Emotion" - Destiny’s 7. "Fire and Rain" -
Critical reaction Child James Taylor
11. "Gospel Medley" - 8. "Up on the Roof" -
In 2004 Rolling Stone magazine selected this concert, along
Destiny’s Child James Taylor
with the earlier America: A Tribute to Heroes telethon, as
12. "I’m Your Hoochie 9. "Peaceful World" -
one of the 50 moments that changed rock and roll[citation
Coochie Man" - Eric John Mellencamp
needed]. It was also voted the #4 greatest moment in the
Clapton 10. "Pink Houses" - John
history of Madison Square Garden.[8] On December 7,
13. "Operaman" - Adam Mellencamp and Kid
2008, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who
Sandler Rock
received Kennedy Center Honors from the President of
14. "Quit Playing Games 11. "Superman (It’s Not
the United States, and after several musicians performed
With My Heart" - Easy)" - Five For
their music, the finale was a surprise chorus of New York
Backstreet Boys Fighting
City police officers and rescue personnel who had been
15. "Miss You" - Mick Jagger 12. "Mona Lisas and Mad
touched by their performance.[9]
and Keith Richards Hatters" - Elton John
16. "Salt of the Earth" - Mick 13. "I’m Down" - Paul
Broadcast Jagger and Keith McCartney
Richards 14. "Yesterday" - Paul
The concert was broadcast live on VH1 October 20, 2001,
McCartney
and over $35 million was raised. An additional $275,000
15. "Let It Be" - Paul
was also raised with a connecting auction. The five hour
McCartney
broadcast was executive produced by Greg Sills & Fred
16. "Freedom" (reprise)"
Graver. The producer was Paul Flattery and the director
- Paul McCartney
was Louis J Horvitz (who has directed many of the Oscar
broadcasts). It was written by Stephen Pouliot and Paul
Flattery.
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Concert for New York City
DVD and VHS release productinfo.asp?pid=1087442. Retrieved
2009-08-07.
The concert was released by Sony both on DVD[11] and [6] ^ "Sounds From a Town I Love (2001)".
VHS[12] on January 29, 2002, both only in NTSC format for geocities.com. Archived from the original on
the US/Canadian market. The two-tape VHS set has a to- 2009-10-26. http://www.webcitation.org/
tal running time of 296 minutes, while the double DVD is query?url=http://www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/
245 minutes, i.e. 51 minutes shorter. club/9542/sounds.html&date=2009-10-25+22:30:51.
Retrieved 2009-08-07.
See also [7] Woody Allen on Woody Allen (revised, illustrated ed.).
Grove Atlantic Press. 2005. ISBN 0802142036.
• America: A Tribute to Heroes OCLC 9780802142030. http://books.google.com/
• United We Stand: What More Can I Give books?id=52ktj6Vd_FsC&pg=PA388&dq=%22Sounds+from+a+Town
• The September Concert oKXmCw#v=onepage&q=%22Sounds%20from%20a%20Town%20I%
• The Who Tours and Performances [8] MSG 50 Greatest Moments
[9] Rollig Stone Magazine December 8, 2008: Dave
Notes Grohl, Chris Cornell Pay Tribute to the Who at Kennedy
Center Retreieved 2011-09-14
[1] Booing of Hillary Transformed into Applause [10] Amazon: The Concert for New York City CD
[2] ^ Seibert, Perry. "The Concert For New York City [2 Retrieved 2011-09-14
Discs"]. All Movie Guide. [11] Amazon: The Concert for New York City DVD
http://www.allmovie.com/dvd/the-concert-for- Retrieved 2011-09-14
new-york-city-2-discs-23498/chapters. Retrieved [12] Amazon: The Concert for New York City VHS
2009-08-14. Retrieved 2011-09-14
[3] "The Concert For New York City".
barnesandnoble.com.
http://video.barnesandnoble.com/DVD/The- References
Concert-For-New-York-City/Woody-Allen/e/ • Concert For New York City Over $30 Million Raised
74645420592. Retrieved 2009-08-07. • The Concert for New York City: New York
[4] "CONCERT FOR NY (DVD) DVD". bestprices.com.
http://www.bestprices.com/cgi-bin/vlink/
074645420592.html. Retrieved 2009-08-07. External links
[5] "Concert for New York City DVDs (2001)". • The Concert For New York City Website As of April 9,
cduniverse.com. http://www.cduniverse.com/ 2010, the original website no longer exists.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Concert_for_New_York_City&oldid=470204124"
Categories:
• Benefit concerts
• 2001 in music
• Aftermath of the September 11 attacks
• 2002 live albums
• 2002 video albums
• Live video albums
• Albums recorded at Madison Square Garden
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