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Stars Seek Help in Multi-Network Benefit -- Region's Music Takes Center Stage; Performers Include Brooks, Simon

Posted on: Tuesday, 13 September 2005, 12:00 CDT

NEW YORK - With the flood waters of Katrina yet to recede, Randy Newman sang about a long-ago flood in "Louisiana 1927" to open a benefit program spread across dozens of TV networks Friday.

Dr. John ended a show suffused with the spirit of a musical city singing a song that's only a wish now: "Walkin' to New Orleans."

The hourlong appeal was an echo of a somber event held four years ago to benefit victims of the Sept. 11 attacks, with the same producer. This time, the telethon had more determination than shock and featured jazz, gospel and swamp-rock sounds.

"Tonight let's show people on the Gulf Coast that they have friends all over the world, friends who care, who understand and are there to give them shelter from the storm," said comic Ellen DeGeneres, who was raised in New Orleans.

ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, UPN and the WB aired it along with several cable networks.

It's the most high-profile of several such televised benefits. BET was also appealing for help Friday for victims of a tragedy that struck the black community hard, and MTV planned its own concert for today.

Comedian Chris Rock was one of those who asked for help.

"We've all heard the question," Rock said. "Why didn't these people just leave when they had the chance? But now we realize that not everybody can just jump into their SUVs and drive to a nice hotel. These people depend on public transportation and these people can't afford a nice hotel, because some of them work there."

John Fogerty, who sang passionately about the Mississippi Delta a generation ago, wasn't there but his music was: the Foo Fighters sang "Born on the Bayou" and Garth Brooks did "Who'll Stop the Rain."

Paul Simon, who was in Louisiana and Mississippi this week, sang "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" with an extended coda from a jazz band.

Mariah Carey and Neil Young were also backed by gospel singers and Alicia Keys was joined by several gospel stars. U2 needed only one powerful voice, singer Mary J. Blige's, to enliven the rock band's anthem "One."

The BET benefit was hipper and more heartbreaking. It interspersed musical performances with film clips of residents asking for help to locate missing relatives and friends.

Keys sang her hit "If I Ain't Got You," and Patti LaBelle sang the Pretenders song "I'll Stand By You."

Source: Commercial Appeal, The

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