United We Stand: What More Can I Give
| Benefit concert by Michael Jackson | |
| Location | Washington, D.C., United States |
|---|---|
| Venue | RFK Stadium |
| Date(s) | October 21, 2001 |
| No. of shows | 1 in North America 1 played |
| Producers | Clear Channel Entertainment |
| Michael Jackson concert chronology | |
United We Stand: What More Can I Give was a benefit concert led by Michael Jackson[1] held on October 21, 2001, at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.[2] The concert was the third major concert held in tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks. The other two were held in New York City. The special premiered on ABC on Thursday, November 1, 2001.
Background
After he completed his 30th-anniversary special concert tour with his brothers at Madison Square Garden, Jackson was originally supposed to attend a meeting at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, but overslept and did not attend. He organized the benefit concert as a response.
Performances
The concert was a half-day-long spectacle beginning in the early afternoon and lasting well into the night. Performers ranged from music icons including Mariah Carey, James Brown, Al Green, Carole King, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, America, and Huey Lewis to starting stars of that time including Destiny's Child, P. Diddy, the Goo Goo Dolls, Train, Backstreet Boys, Usher, Pink, and NSYNC.[2] Each performer did a brief set usually amounting to about five songs apiece.
In order, the performances were: Backstreet Boys, Krystal Harris, Huey Lewis and the News, James Brown, Billy Gilman, O-Town, Usher, Christina Milian, Carole King, Al Green, Pink, Bette Midler, CeCe Peniston, Aerosmith, America, P. Diddy (with Faith Evans singing backup in the choir), NSYNC, Janet Jackson, Destiny's Child, Rod Stewart, Goo Goo Dolls, Train, Mariah Carey, and Michael Jackson, who performed "Man in the Mirror". Then everyone joined, including MC Hammer and Mýa, for closing the show by performing "What More Can I Give".
Notable appearances were given by Aerosmith, who performed at the festival as well as a scheduled concert in Indianapolis on the same night, while Backstreet Boys, Destiny's Child, and the Goo Goo Dolls had performed the previous night at The Concert for New York City.[3]
Issues
The event was plagued with problems, such as guests that did not show up (including Mick Jagger, Kiss, Ricky Martin, Aaron Carter and MC Hammer), faulty sound equipment, and concessionaires running out of food and beverages.[1]
Television broadcast
Several days after the event, ABC aired a condensed, two-hour version of the concert as a special. Due to an exclusivity agreement with CBS for an upcoming special drawn from the 30th anniversary concerts, Jackson's solo performance of "Man in the Mirror" was removed from the ABC broadcast at the request of his management. The finale which incorporated Jackson was still allowed to air.[4]
Host and special appearances
John Stamos hosted the event, and appearances were also made by celebrities including Kevin Spacey along with political figures such as the mayor of Washington, D.C.
Set list
Date
| Date | City | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 21, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | United States | RFK Stadium |
See also
References
- ^ a b "The worst benefit concert ever!". Salon. October 22, 2001. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
- ^ a b Joe D'Angelo (October 22, 2001). "'NSYNC, Michael Jackson, P. Diddy, Mariah Stand United At D.C. Concert - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. Archived from the original on October 27, 2001. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
- ^ "A Capitol Concert Honoring the Pentagon Heroes". October 21, 2001. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
- ^ Carter, Bill (November 1, 2001). "At Jackson's Request, ABC Cuts A Song Out of a Concert Tape". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
- ^ "United We Stand 2001 Setlists". October 21, 2001. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
