John Lennon (1940–80), rock musician
Rock & Roll has changed the world just not the way it was envisioned. The young people of the 1960s did not enter politics and rearranged the world or the United States specifically. Even the more revolutionary realized that you have to appeal to an apathetic middle ground that is often satisfied with the status quo. Change has to come subtly similar to how one would steer a boat not ski a slalom course.The Live 8 concerts that will broadcast on July 2, when dozens of major pop acts grace stages across the world from Tokyo to Toronto to London to Philadelphia and beyond, play live to raise awareness of Africa’s problems of poverty and disease.
The timing is to coincide with the Group of Eight world leaders meeting in Scotland on July 6-8. I heard portions of Bono’s interview on Meet the Press on Sunday and was most impressed that he understands the political process well enough to use his fame to the same way a lobbyist uses special interest money to make a difference. Bono who for several years now has been meeting with one political leader after another has succeeded in eliminating the debilitating debt of Africa to industrial countries.
You can see the effects ever so slowly from politicans who always seek attention and want to attach themselves to the latest cause, if it is not controversial. According to the New York Times, the day after his nomination as head of the World Bank was announced, one of the first people Paul Wolfowitz called was Bono ... twice. Months later, rich nations announced a deal to wipe out over $40 billion of impoverished nations' debts which aid groups and lobbyists believe was partly thanks to Bono and fellow Irish rocker Bob Geldof, who is organizing Live 8.
“We have a unique power in this ridiculous thing called celebrity, and our job isn't finished when we write songs that grow out of concerns,'' Bono said.
1 comment:
Devo, you know the media nor the politicans will get into the details. The purpose of these concerts as I understand it is to shame the G8 leaders into sending additional money to Africa. I think you have set the bar too high, which normally is not a bad thing, but in this case even baby steps are good.
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