Tonight all eyes will be on the huge charity concert “12-12-12” in Madison Square Garden to benefit the still struggling victims of Hurricane Sandy. Starting at 7:30pm (EST), the event will be distributed worldwide to nearly two billion people in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia through television feeds, radio and online streaming. These viewers will have the opportunity to call-in and donate to the Robin Hood Relief Fund which directly assists those throughout the tri-state area who have been impacted by the storm. Before even one note has been played, already $32 million has been raised in ticket sales.
The enormity of “12-12-12” harkens back to the roots of this type of charitable musical event. In 1971 George Harrison created the first charity concert at Madison Square Garden, “The Concert for Bangladesh,” calling upon his friends including, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton (who will be returning tonight), to join him on stage to raise funds for the people of Bangladesh.
A few years later, Bob Geldof, two-time Nobel Peace Price nominee, followed in Harrison’s footsteps producing the “Live Aid” concert in London and Philadelphia to benefit Ethiopian famine relief efforts. In October of 2001, Paul McCartney took the stage at Madison Square Garden again to help those devastated by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001, and will return tonight once more.
“12-12-12” is a charity super-concert that will join the ranks of its predecessors in terms of its power, prestige and its helpfulness. More than 40 years since the first concert of this kind, tonight underscores the importance of both music and charity. The historic lineup consists of giant acts in the music industry whose songs and faces are instantly recognizable across the globe. These iconic artists include the likes of The Who, Roger Waters, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Eddie Vedder, Kanye West, Bon Jovi, Dave Grohl, Billy Joel, and Alicia Keys.
Today it truly feels as though Harrison’s spirit is with us, and with all those in need.
It really is too bad that when we introduced the idea to the DJ community a month ago, no one would even return our phone calls. Yet, we just got a press release from Swedish House Mafia that they would actually do something in this vein. Why wouldn’t they return our calls? Isn’t it a shame that they could not get together to something similar, though on a smaller scale, in Los Angeles?
The most up-to-date information on “12-12-12” can be found by visiting http://www.121212concert.org/
By: D. D.
