Monday 22 October 2001

Pop stars shine at D.C. Benefit

Tens of thousands of music fans gathered in the capital Sunday to see Michael Jackson, 'N Sync, Aerosmith and an array of other pop stars at a marathon concert to celebrate America and raise money for victims of September's terrorist attacks. "United We Stand: What More Can I Give?" raised about $2 million through the sale of more than 46,000 tickets. It was one of three benefit concerts over the weekend.

The Backstreet Boys sang the national anthem to kick off the sold-out show at RFK Stadium. "We can't let them defeat us," said band member Kevin Richardson. "We have to get up, get out and live our lives every day." Among the other performers were Ricky Martin, James Brown, Mariah Carey, Bette Midler and Destiny's Child. Parts of the concert will be televised in a two-hour special on ABC Nov. 1.

Security was tight outside RFK, with long lines forming as police searched concertgoers - many clad in red, white and blue - with handheld metal detectors. Maureen Stuck and John Re attended the benefit concert in New York Saturday night, then took a train down to Washington Sunday morning. "Because of what happened I wanted to show support," said Stuck, who was wearing a souvenir T-shirt from the New York event.

Paul McCartney, David Bowie and Billy Joel headlined the Concert for New York at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. Promoters said ticket sales for that event had already raised $14 million, with millions more expected from callers who viewed the live broadcast on VH1.

Country music stars Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood and Sara Evans were among those scheduled for Sunday night's Country Freedom Concert at Nashville's Gaylord Entertainment Center. Proceeds from the Washington concert will go to the American Red Cross Liberty Fund, the Salvation Army Relief Fund, the Pentagon Relief Fund and the Rewards for Justice Fund.

(Fox News)



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