Viewers of Friday night's unprecedented telethon featuring Neil Young, Mariah Carey, U2 and Bruce Springsteen pledged more than $150 million to benefit families of terrorist attack victims.
Organizers are considering releasing an album
featuring some of the "America: A Tribute to Heroes" performances, according to the Associated Press. Artists who took part in the telethon include Alicia Keys, Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst and Wes Borland, Goo Goo Doll Johnny Rzeznik, Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder and Mike McCready, the Dixie Chicks, Celine Dion, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder and Wyclef Jean (see "Mariah Carey, Springsteen, Other Stars Sing For America On Telethon"). Speakers included Tom Cruise, Chris Rock, Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.
Just under 60 million people tuned in for the commercial-free, two-hour program that aired on 35 broadcast and cable networks. That figure ranks the show above this year's Academy Awards (42.9 million) but below the Super Bowl (84.2 million), according to statistics from Nielsen Media Research.
ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC are sharing production costs for the event, while United Way will distribute the proceeds, without making any administrative deductions. Volunteers helped take pledges via phone and the Internet until 7 a.m. on Monday.
For more information on and audience reaction to the attacks, including tips on how you can help, see America Comes Together."
(This story was updated at 12:07 P.M. ET Tuesday, September 25, 2001.)
|
