Update: Live 8 – Behind the Music…

For weeks before the music started playing on Saturday, Sir Bob Geldof and Live 8 organizers were beset by in-fighting, accusations of racism and the carping of do-nothing doubters. Yet, they must have been heartened by the billions who reportedly tuned-in to hear their message – delivered with musical rhythms – of debt relief and aid to Make Poverty History on the forsaken continent of Africa. But, even though he entreated millions to descend on Scotland to make their voices heard for the cause, Geldof could not have intended the anarchic rioting that now threatens to drown out the Live 8 message and only annoy the G8 world leaders.

Lead Singer David Gilmore of Pink Floyd sang and played in such harmony with his band mates that no one could believe it was their first performance in over 20 years…

Whatever one thinks of their political impact, however, no one can deny that the concerts were a smashing success. And, the headliners by far were the reunited members of Pink Floyd who not only left the crowds thrilled and mesmerized but also demonstrated to thug rappers, metrosexual rock stars and lip-synching divas what real musical talent can produce (live) on stage.

Moreover, as if to confirm their status as a truly class act, Pink Floyd pledged to donate all profits made from their greatest hits album to charity after record sales soared following their performance on Saturday. And, they challenged other performers who enjoy similar spikes in sales to do the same. To date, however, none has taken up Pink Floyd’s inspired challenge.

In fact, the charitable disposition of most performers was betrayed by their scavenging backstage for $12,000 gift bags like starving Africans rummaging barren fields for grains of food. And, herein lies the behind the music scandal of the Live 8 event. After all, it seems gauche and hypocritical at best for organizers to have rewarded millionaire musicians so extravagantly for their charitable performances to aid the poor.

But this was hardly the extent of the bad taste and mix messages that undermined this historic event. Because, as sublime as Pink Floyd’s performance was, the typically ridiculous behavior of out of control celebrities was also very much in play. Indeed, for many observers, the real entertainment seems to have occurred backstage where the clash of celebrity egos apparently generated more electricity than all of the rock and roll voltage onstage.

Madonna demonstrating why even the spiritual serenity and intellectual enlightenment she claims to have gotten from her practice of Hebrew Kabalah cannot control her profane rock and roll impulses!

Click here to check out who did (and said) what to whom….

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