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"Although the events are dreadfully sad, in a way I was glad I was in New York when it was all happening, because I was able to witness the tremendous heroism that has come out of the city since the disaster. This concert will honour those heroes and heroines, and I'm very proud to be doing that."
—-Paul McCartney

MCCARTNEY HEADLINES VH1'S "CONCERT FOR NEW YORK"

Sir Paul Proud to Be Part of All-Star Fund-Raiser Set for Oct. 20 at Madison Square Garden
The music industry continues to respond to the unprecedented events of Sept. 11.

On the heels of last week's America: A Tribute To Heroes, which is closing in on $200 million raised for victims of the WTC tragedy and such past events as The Concert for Bangladesh and Live Aid, VH1, Cablevision and Miramax Films have announced their own version of Jerry Lewis' telethon with The Concert For New York.

The event will take place Saturday night, Oct. 20, at Madison Square Garden and will be broadcast live on VH1 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). Among those slated to perform are Paul McCartney, the Who, Bon Jovi, James Taylor, John Mellencamp, Macy Gray, Goo Goo Dolls, Melissa Etheridge and India.Arie, with more to be announced. Also participating are Jim Carrey, Jerry Seinfeld, Gwyneth Paltrow, John Cusack and representatives from all New York's sport teams.

"I'm doing this benefit concert because, in short, I love New York." said McCartney, who witnessed the destruction of the WTC towers from a jetliner window on the tarmac at JFK Airport; he'd been booked to fly back to London that morning. "A tragedy like this affects everyone and everything. A few days after the attack we went down to the Canal Street area and you could smell it and feel it, people were still in a daze.

"At first I felt useless," Sir Paul continued. "I thought, 'What can I do?' I knew I had to do something to help. So I'm going to do this concert. Although the events are dreadfully sad, in a way I was glad I was in New York when it was all happening, because I was able to witness the tremendous heroism that has come out of the city since the disaster. This concert will honour those heroes and heroines, and I'm very proud to be doing that.

"So I'm going to do this benefit show to show solidarity," explained McCartney, whose father was a Liverpool volunteer fireman during World War II. "The thing is that people may disagree with how we live, but this attack has crossed the line; it is a real no-no, and you have to show the people who have done this that we are not going to put up with it.

"You've got to stand up and do something. I can't fight fires, but I can do a concert. It will be a difficult night, but it needs doing, and I hope to help raise a lot of money for the families of the victims."

Members of the city's fire deptartment, police department and rescue crews and their families will be invited guests for the four-hour telecast, which will also be simulcast on radio stations across the country on VH1 Radio Network and Westwood One/Infinity. The concert will be webcast on AOL, which will create special programming including chat areas and online content in connection with the show.

VH1's John Sykes, Cablevision's James Dolan and Miramax's Harvey Weinstein issued a joint statement: "This is an evening where all of us who either live in New York or love this great city can show our appreciation and thanks to the thousands of workers who risked their lives to save others. It also will pay tribute to the incredible pride and resilience of New York City."

Tickets for the show will go on sale Sunday, Oct. 7, at 12 noon at www.ticketmaster.com. All money raised will go to the Robin Hood Relief Fund, the newly created Twin Towers Fund and other charities directly benefiting those affected by the tragedy, including families of those missing and injured, the firefighters, police, rescue workers and all others suffering economic consequences from the tragedy and its aftermath.

The entire event is being underwritten by VH1, Cablevision and Miramax, along with Clear Channel Communications.

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