This past weekend's three all-star benefit concerts raised more than $17 million in ticket sales alone to help the September 11 terrorist attacks' victims. However, organizers said they should know by the end of this week exactly how much money was raised from ticket sales, sponsorships, online contributions and auctions, telephone pledges and merchandise sales.
The Oct. 20 Concert for New York City at Madison Square Garden, which featured a stellar cast of Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and an unbilled, unannounced Keith Richards, the Who, Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Billy Joel and Elton John, among others, took in at least $14 million in ticket sales. Ticket prices ranged from $200 to $5,000. More than 6,000 tickets were given away to firefighters, policemen and rescue workers involved in the World Trade Center disaster. Proceeds, including concession sales, will benefit the Robin Hood Foundation.
The Oct. 21 United We Stand concert at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC raised about $3 million from ticket sales priced at $25, $50 and $75 from the capacity crowd of 46,000. Michael Jackson, Bette Midler, Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync were among the featured performers. Concert proceeds benefited the American Red Cross, the Pentagon Relief Fund and the Salvation Army.
Ticket sales from the Oct. 21 Country Freedom Concert at Nashville's Gaylord Entertainment Center were not available, but ticket prices ranged $25 to $1,000, the latter including a pre-show reception with some of the concert's stars. Among the featured artists were Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Brooks & Dunn and Alan Jackson. The genesis of the event began as a Sept. 11 e-mail by Russ Simons of the Gaylord Entertainment Center, offering the venue for a benefit. Proceeds will go to the Salvation Army for its Disaster Relief Fund.
