Seen and heard last night at Madison Square Garden

[mcscajun]

Last night: "From the Big Apple to the Big Easy" @ MSG & on PPV (which is how I saw it). 100% of the PPV proceeds went directly to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Bette Midler talked about receiving a piece of mail from the RNC thanking her for her support, and how she wrote "Go FUCK Yourself" on it and mailed it back to them, Postage Due! (and the crowd went crazy. )

Cyril Neville made an eloquent statement without saying a word: he wore a simple white T-Shirt emblazoned in red with the words: "Ethnic Cleansing in New Orleans".

President Clinton came onstage to speak briefly before introducing John Fogerty, and got the longest and loudest applause of the night.

Can't agree with the headline of this article, 'cause that was definitely not the mood, nor the purpose. As Ed Bradley said early on, "tonight we bury Katrina, and celebrate New Orleans." (I'm paraphrasing.)

Mardi Grass in the Big Apple

September 21, 2005

The performance was just part of "From the Big Apple to the Big Easy," a benefit concert that culled more than two dozen musical acts at Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, with hardworking musicians such as The Meters playing both. The shows were last-minute affairs, with several stars signing up even as Rod Stewart canceled due to an injury and New Orleans legend Fats Domino pulled out for unknown reasons. Scarlett Johansson introduced Elton John. And when former President Bill Clinton showed up to introduce John Fogerty, he received a rock star's welcome himself.

The Garden underwrote all costs for the shows and pledged all proceeds, plus an additional $1 million, to charities including The Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund and the MusiCares Hurricane Relief Fund, part of the Recording Academy behind the Grammys.

(snip)

There were a few hints of the politics that have been stirred up by the hurricane. Elvis Costello made what might have been a reference to President George W. Bush's recent speeches: "There's been a lot of good words said in the last few days, and we've gotta make sure those promises are kept." Bette Midler was more overt, cracking wise about Bush and Republicans before launching into "I Think It's Going To Rain Today." Cyril Neville made his statement silently: His T-shirt read, "Ethnic Cleansing In New Orleans."

The show opened with The Rebirth Brass Band playing a somber dirge as it walked slowly through the crowd. Ed Bradley of "60 Minutes" introduced Toussaint, who played a breezy version of "Southern Nights" at the piano and then remained there, serving as bandleader for Clarence "Frogman" Henry, The Dixie Cups, Art Neville and others.

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/ny-etmsg214435740sep21,0,4089672.story?coll=ny-entertainment-headlines

[johnnie]

1. I forgot it was on

Was it any good?
It's too bad it was PPV because it would have been nice to see a lot more people get exposed to some of that stuff that was said and done.

[mcscajun]

3. It was fantastic! Hoping for a DVD Release.

:)

[DS1]

2. I also remember when those douchebag moron firefighters booed

then during their own benefit concert. Becoming a firefighter does not lift one out of the ranks of idiots.

[mcscajun]

4. You talking about last night, or the 9/11 concert?

?

[DS1]

5. 9/11 concert at MSG

[mcscajun]

6. That's what I thought. So what does that have to do with this?

Very odd.

[DS1]

7. Still harboring 'pissed off-edness' over that and MSG reminded me

of it.

Yes, it's off topic