Despite rumors to the contrary, Philadelphia will host the “Live 8″ concert on the American side:
Twenty years after Philadelphia hosted one of two Live Aid concerts that dramatized the plight of starving Africans, a second big-name benefit is in the works.
It will be July 2 on Ben Franklin Parkway, in the middle of the city’s jam-packed Fourth of July festivities, according to Deborah Bolling, Mayor’s Street spokeswoman.
A news conference is set for Tuesday at City Hall to announce “Live 8,” which would coincide with a show in London, said Laura Perez, the publicist who is handling the news conference.
I was at the original concert, covering it for my paper. What a blast! The Pretenders, The Who, Sting, Tom Petty, The Cars, The Hooters, The Beach Boys, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Duran Duran, Led Zeppelin, Mick Jagger, Patty LaBelle, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Tina Turner… (I only remember all this stuff because I happened to meet one of those insane music fans at a party last night who remembered every single detail. )
Plus, hanging out in the press tent was pretty mindboggling. I remember most reporters just sat and stared. Most of us were too impressed to ask anything.
I’m just happy to see activist musicians pulling together for a worthy cause. Too bad our elected officials can’t do the same.
Don’t forget the Led Zepplin re-union with Phil Collins on drums and U2 playing Sunday Bloody Sunday in Wembley.