Had it been organized for any other occasion, Friday night's "America: A Tribute to Heroes" would have been just another star-studded
extravaganza. But even
the return of Mariah Carey and Celine Dion, new songs from the Dixie
Chicks and Bruce Springsteen
and a phone bank stocked with Hollywood's
A-list couldn't distract from the task at hand: to honor the thousands who
died
in the September 11 terrorist attacks, to raise money for victims'
families and to strengthen America's resolve to transcend
the tragedy.
Glitz, glamour and ego were put on hold for the evening. Nearly all of the
performers wore black, and
the stages were lit with hundreds of candles
and subdued red and blue lights. And rather than promote their latest
hits,
the performers chose songs that reflected on loss, called for love
and celebrated the human spirit.
Springsteen
opened the show, which was televised on 31 broadcast and cable
networks, with "My City of Ruins," a song he introduced
as "a prayer for
our fallen brothers and sisters." Playing acoustic guitar and harmonica,
and supported by backup singers
including E Street Band members Steven Van
Zandt, Patti Scialfa and Clarence Clemons, Springsteen delivered the
gospel-tinged
tune "My City of Ruins" which until Friday he'd played only at several small shows in New Jersey as a call for
spiritual
strength through the repeated line, "Come on, rise up."
Actors including Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and
Jim Carrey spoke between
songs but didn't introduce the performers. "We are not heroes. We are not
healers or protectors,"
said Hanks, and others echoed his sentiments,
relaying anecdotes about the missing, the survivors and the rescue workers
whose
task continues.
Stevie Wonder introduced his song "Love's in Need of Love Today" by
saying, "When you kill in the
name of God or Allah, you are cursing God,"
and Sting dedicated "Fragile" to a friend missing after the calamity. Most
of
the artists, though, simply let their music do the talking. Mariah
Carey sang a subdued version of "Hero," while Paul Simon
wearing a
New York Fire Department baseball cap delivered an eerie version of
"Bridge Over Troubled Water."
Country
crossover stars the Dixie Chicks played a new song, "I Believe in
Love," while Goo Goo Doll Johnny Rzeznik joined Limp
Bizkit's Fred Durst
and Wes Borland for an acoustic version of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were
Here." Billy Joel sang his
classic homage to the Big Apple, "New York
State of Mind," with a New York firefighter's hat on his piano, and Wyclef
Jean
delivered one of the few musically upbeat moments of the evening,
conveying hope through Bob Marley's "Redemption Song."
Somber
performances predominated, however. Neil Young appeared close to
tears during his rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine"
and later joined
Pearl Jam's Ed Vedder and Mike McCready for "The Long Road," an
Arabic-flavored tune Vedder originally
recorded for the film "Dead Man
Walking" with the late Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Boxer Muhammad Ali
stood alongside Will Smith, who portrays him in an
upcoming movie, and spoke up for the Islamic faith.
"I wouldn't
be here representing Islam if it were terrorist," Ali said.
"I think all people should know the truth, come to recognize
the truth.
Islam is peace."
Even Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down," which radio has played frequently as
a testament
to strength and resolve, was quieter than usual, with
guitarist Mike Campbell laying down ethereal lines as Petty sang
"I'll
stand my ground" and "There ain't no easy way out."
The show, which was broadcast live from undisclosed locations
in New York,
Los Angeles and London, ended with two patriotic tunes. Celine Dion, who's
been on hiatus since 1999, sang
"God Bless America" and Willie Nelson led
a cast of musicians and actors singing "America the Beautiful."
Though
the event was organized to raise money for victims' families and
relief efforts, and contributions to the United Way's
September 11
Telethon Fund are still being accepted at www.tributetoheroes.org,
many
actors called for something money can't buy.
"Life is so precious. Please, please, let's love one another,"
said a
choked-up Julia Roberts. "Reach out to each other. Be kind to each
other. Peace be with you. God is great."
For
more information on and audience reaction to the attacks, including tips on how you can help, see "9.11.01:
Moving Forward."
CMT News
Mariah Carey, Springsteen, Other Stars Sing For America On Telethon
Top musicians, actors show up for 'America: A Tribute to Heroes' on 31 broadcast and cable networks.