Musical Luminaries, John Lennon, and Grand Funk’s Musical Differences

by Will 'The Cranky Music Man' Golightly

The aftermath of September 11 has affected most aspects of life in our country, and even the insular music community shows this. But it has also caused some amusing dichotomies to pop up. One that caught my attention last week was a pair of upcoming concerts.

There was a tribute to John Lennon scheduled to air on TNT on September 20, but that was bumped to this Tuesday, October 2. It has been renamed "Come Together: A Night for John Lennon’s Words & Music, Dedicated to New York City & Its People." It reminds one of the plain-looking T-shirt Lennon used to wear around the city, which simply had the words "New York" across the chest. It’s a nice image. The concert has added several relief effort charities to the original list of benefactors of the show.

The list of performers is impressive. Alanis Morissette, Lou Reed, and Stone Temple Pilots are just a few. Strangely, Kevin Spacey is hosting the event; I’m not sure why. But he does a mean Christopher Walken impersonation, so he’s okay in my book. Just recently, Craig David, Rufus Wainwright, and Sean Lennon were added to the bill. To refresh your memories: Sean is the son who the Beastie Boys like; Julian is the son nobody likes.

If anything interesting happens during the concert, I’ll mention it next week. If I remember to watch it, that is. I realize those are some pretty big "ifs," but I’m a pretty half-assed columnist. So sue me.

The other benefit concert in the works is like the carnival mirror image of the Lennon tribute. It’s called Volunteers for America, and it will take place later this month. The proceeds will go to rescue workers and families of the victims. It was organized by the guitar player in Styx and the singer in REO Speedwagon.

Yes, you read that correctly. Peep this. Along with Styx and the Speedwagon, the shows will feature Journey, Bad Company, Survivor, Kansas, Eddie Money, and some guy who used to be in Grand Funk Railroad. Not the whole band, I’d like to mention. Just the singer. The cherry atop this has-been sundae, however, is the host. None other than original MTV VJ Alan Hunter will MC the concerts. This may be the most perfect concert yet. It is so absurd it’s practically immune to derision. I don’t even know where to start.

So I won’t. There are bigger problems in the world right now. One of the most pressing, of course, is how the United States will survive this period of recovery without the help of Oasis’ Liam Gallagher. After the September 11 attacks, the prettier of the two Gallaghers told NME he isn’t going to America again. He also said he wouldn’t be getting on a plane anytime in the near future. That should be a relief to airline employees everywhere. If only fellow air rage poster boy Peter Buck would do the same.