"Letís Drink To The Good Not The Evil"

Who says there arenít any heroes anymore? The Concert For NYC televised live on VH-1 paid tribute to some real life heroes, the fire fighters and police officers who risked and in many cases lost their lives saving others at the World Trade Center on that fateful September 11th day. Those that perished should be remembered for their unselfish courage and their sacrifice should serve as a reminder that there are indeed plenty of heroes left in America. And those heroes stand so tall that even a pop star from Liverpool can see them.

And now for some random thoughts on the event itself...

I missed the first half hour because I heard it started at seven but I didnít account for the time difference. (My clock is thirty minutes slow.) That means I also missed David Bowie singing Paul Simonís "America" and his own appropriately titled tune, "Heroes." Hopefully, VH-1 will run the concert again because I got a feeling this may have been a touching performance that set the tone for the entire evening.

The Goo Goo Dolls performing Tom Pettyís "American Girl." I dug that all right. And didnít those guys look like they were having a lot of fun playing for the appreciative audience? Ah, a young band that isnít dripping with angst - whatís up with that?

Donít we all have a drunk uncle who looks a lot like Billy Joel does now?

When it comes to being unfunny, nobody does it with more efficiency than the cast members of Saturday Night Live. There was no reason for Will Ferrell to do his President Bush impression on a night when American unity was being celebrated. And there was no reason for him to be so pathetic at a show that was aiming so high to achieve excellence. And what about Kris Kattanís introduction of Destinyís Child? So unfunny and yet so hostile. And even Jimmy Fallon was way off the mark with the type of routine that probably broke them up in the SNL writers room but didnít translate well to an audience not made up of his buddies and coworkers.

With apologies to LEE, I must admit I still find Operaman funny. But maybe Adam Sandler shouldíve toned down the blue material considering the number of kids in attendance at the show. Not to mention those at home waiting for the Backstreet Boys to take the stage.

And the Backstreet Boys did indeed take the stage and brought a much needed lull to the proceedings with a sucky a cappella medley of their hits. Time for the people in attendance to sit down and relax their tired feet and time for us at home to make a necessary pit stop to the bathroom. But at least they were boring us for a good cause and since the tragedy did hit close to home for them, I think I will hate them a smidgen less than I hate ëN Sync from now on.

Donít we all have a drunk uncle who talks like Harrison Ford did when he came out to do his little part?

The blues for the men in blue. Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy on stage together trading hot licks, which, of course, would have a totally different meaning if it were Billy Bob Thorton and Angelina Jolie. Anyway, it was a legendary paring all right. Itís just too bad they stuck to the two song minimum and didnít have more time to get into a real smokiní groove.

Melissa Etheridge had microphone and guitar problems yet somehow managed to keep the show from screeching to a complete halt. Iíd like to see Eminem do that. Without having to resort to an endless stream of obscenities. Oh wait, thatís his act! Yeah, Iím getting old. So sue me.

Halle Berry and Salma Hayek are very pretty ladies with extremely nice bodies.

The Who are still cool, even if Roger Daltry couldn't pull off the scream at the end of "Wonít Get Fooled Again." And that song had new meaning as The Who performed it with a projected view of the New York City skyline behind them. Yeah, they didnít die before they got old, but the kids are all right just the same. Long Live Rock.

Everyone knew Mick was going to be at the show, but it was a nice surprise to see Keef show up. (Or was it Reah Perlman wearing lifts?) Anyway, "Salt of the Earth" was a great song choice for the evening ("Letís drink to the hard working people...") and it reminded me of a time when the Rolling Stones were the worldís greatest rock and roll band. "Miss You" was just plain silly, however, and brought me back to the reality of what the Stones have become.

From the "Feeling My Age" department: I donít get Macy Gray (even when she chooses to do a Beatles song), but I sure enjoy pissing off the kids at work by making fun of her.

A personal request to Jerry Seinfield: Please keep your shirt on.

James Taylor sang "Fire & Rain" and people in the audience cried. I wonder how many of todayís pop hits will have that same effect thirty years from now. Yeah, I know they make me cry now, but thatís a whole ënuther thing.

The films by famous directors. I liked the one by Martin Scorsese, Woodyís had a few good lines and the rest served as a unique way to fill time while stagehands set up the equipment for the next act.

What makes me think the cop who invited Osama bin Laden to kiss his Irish ass will soon be a guest on Late Night with David Letterman? "I live in Rockaway and this is my face!" Forget the clowns from Saturday Night Live, they shoulda let this guy do ten minutes.

John Mellencamp came on stage and I mistakenly tried to make a contribution to Farm Aid. Then Kid Rock joined him and I immediately made a contribution to the barf bag.

Watching the audience at Madison Square Garden get down to the music made me realize one thing. Firemen and policemen have no rhythm. But thatís okay. I wouldnít exactly want James Brown to be the one showing up when my house was on fire or right after I got mugged.

Janet Jackson live via satellite. Dynamite tummy, but I think its time for Miss Jackson to put away the workout tapes for awhile and give a good listen to Control. Or in other words, what have you done for us lately, Janet?

Ah, Elton John and Billy Joel revived their crowd pleasing Ferrante and Teicher routine. Two giants of the music world on stage together, their pianos touching in front of millions of people worldwide. Thatís entertainment!

Donít we all have a drunk uncle who's funnier than Jim Carey trying to improvise?

And finally it was time for the headliner. The main attraction. The grand poobah. The man responsible for this whole evening taking place. Sir Paul McCartney. Well, to make a long story short, letís just say the climax of the event fell a little short of what was promised by an evening of (for the most part) pleasurable foreplay. Too many new songs and not enough foot stompers by the former Beatle who whipped up this shindig, but he still blew away anyone who took the stage at that sorry John Lennon tribute earlier in the month. (Maybe next time Yoko decides to throw a wing ding, it might be wise to let someone else head up the entertainment committee. And for cryiní out loud, let Paulie put his name first in the writing credit for "Yesterday." John never was crazy about the song anyway.)

Overall it was a great party for a good cause, especially given the fact that whole thing was put together in two weeks. Besides, it was only a rock and roll show. The best acts were the ones of bravery that already took place over a month ago.