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American Morning

America Recovers: Stars Donating Millions For Any Number of Good Reasons

Aired October 19, 2001 - 09:55   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: We are reaching out to the stars to help raise money for the survivors of the September 11th attacks. The stars in this case are singers, songwriters, musicians and filmmaker, and as Jodi Ross reports, they are donating millions of dollars for any number of good reasons.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JODI ROSS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Whether it's benefit concerts, tribute albums, or cash from concert tours, the sound of music is raising spirits and a whole lot of money for families of victims of the terrorist attacks.

PAUL MCCARTNEY, SINGER: I was planning to do a concert of my own.

ROSS: Paul McCartney will get a little help from his friends, like Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and Billy Joel, this weekend at "The Concert for New York."

MCCARTNEY: But then I heard that there were a lot of other concerts, a lot of other efforts that were being mounted. Then a friend of mine persuaded me to do this one. So we all pooled our resources, and we're just going to do one big show

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Basically, people are -- honestly, they're tripping over themselves to put these things together as quickly as possible.

ROSS: Michael Jackson takes the stage in Washington Sunday for "United We Stand," an eight-hour marathon concert. 'N Sync, the Backstreet Boys, Aerosmith, Destiny's Child and Ricky Martin are also set to perform. New Jersey natives Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi will team up for two concerts in their home state to aid area victims.

Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood and Clint Black have all signed on for the "Country Freedom Concert" in Nashville.

And charity is coming from the recording studio as well.

QUEEN LATIFAH, ENTERTAINER: We can all just write a check, send some money, but this is like our time, and I feel like we can do something, as opposed to just writing a check. ROSS: Queen Latifah joined divas like Diana Ross and Patti Labelle to re-record the disco classic "We Are Family." Proceeds from the all-star re-recording of Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On," originally slated for AIDS charities, now also goes to victims organizations.

Meanwhile, Whitney Houston version of "The Star Spangled Banner" is topping the Billboard charts. Originally sold during the Gulf War, the single will raise money for New York's fallen heroes.

Celine Dion's sings "God Bless America" on a new benefit CD, which includes patriotic tracks from Bob Dylan and Mariah Carey.

And some stars are doing their part on the road. Madonna, who was wrapping up her world tour in September, donated money from her final two shows to relief efforts.

And Britney Spears, who kicks off her U.S. tour on October 31st, will give a percentage from her concerts to children affected by the disaster.

LARRY FLICK, "BILLBOARD" MAGAZINE: The likelihood is that the Britney donation will be between $5 and $10 million dollars. That's huge, huge money.

ROSS: From an industry that has soul comes a lot of heart.

Jodi Ross, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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