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Posted on 10/21/2001 8:25:37 AM PDT by TLBSHOW

Stars, Rescuers Rock in NY Attack Concert Tribute

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Paul McCartney, Billy Joel and Elton John led music stars honoring the victims and rescue workers of the World Trade Center attack in a concert that celebrated the energy and pride of New York. Joel tapped into the city's emotion singing ``New York State of Mind,'' stirring a crowd at Madison Square Garden that included rows of uniformed police, firefighters and their families dancing, singing and screaming at the more than five-hour gala. Hollywood stars, including Harrison Ford and Meg Ryan, also joined politicians such as former President Bill Clinton and New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (news - web sites) to launch what was the first of a series of concerts broadcast live on television and radio across the country this weekend.

At the Saturday night concert to raise funds for victims of the Sept. 11 aerial strikes that killed nearly 5,400 people in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, the crowd roared in one of its biggest ovations when actor Michael J. Fox presented firefighter Mike Moran.

One of 6,000 firefighters and their families to receive free tickets, Moran, whose brother died in the attack, was hailed with a minute-long chant of ``USA! USA!''

The night of songs and solidarity -- unseen since the 1985 Live Aid concert for famine relief in Africa -- also included Destiny's Child, Bon Jovi, David Bowie and Mick Jagger.

On Sunday, a capacity crowd of 46,000 people at Washington's RFK stadium will see Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, 'N Sync (news - web sites), Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, Aerosmith (news - web sites) and the Backstreet Boys (news - web sites) in an eight-hour show.

Also on Sunday, a concert in Nashville, Tennessee, the heart of America's country music industry, will feature Tim McGraw, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Clint Black and Trisha Yearwood.

Proceeds from the concerts will go to special funds set up by the American Red Cross (news - web sites) and the Salvation Army and to the Pentagon (news - web sites) Relief Fund.

Some critics have dismissed the gigs as publicity drives for the performers at a time of surging patriotism in the wake of the suicide plane hijackings.

Organizers say the stars just want to help and that the concerts could end up raising some $20 million through tickets sales and pledges made by telephone during live television and radio broadcasts.

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