Rise Up New York

Wow, just wow.

Last night was the Rise Up New York telethon, with Tina Fey, Chris Rock, Jennifer Lopez, Eli Manning, David Chang, Barbra Streisand, Robert de Niro, Ben Platt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bette Midler, Idina Menzel, Jimmy Fallon, Mariah Carrey, Bon Jovi, Billy Joel and Sting.  

The goal was to raise money for Robin Hood, an anti poverty organization.  The need in NYC is so much greater in the time of corona....they raised so much money last night that Tina Fey was reduced to tears....

Highlights?



Some of the performances.












If you want to hear Lin-Manuel Miranda leading a group of singers in “New York, New York” you'll have to watch the video at Broadway World.

And closing the show, introduced by no less than Governor Cuomo himself, my man Billy Joel, with “Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)”.

You know the song...

Seen the lights go out Broadway
I saw the Empire State laid low



He wrote it in the 70’s, it’s on the 1976 album Turnstiles.  His inspiration was the famous NY Daily News headline during NYC’s financial crisis.





I’ll never forget what Billy said during the benefit concert in Madison Square Garden  in  October 2001, after 9/11.

"I wrote that song 25 years ago. I thought it was going to be a science fiction song; I never thought it would really happen. But unlike the end of that song, we ain't going anywhere!"




It’s become sort of an anthem for the city, a testament to NYC’s resilience and ability to survive and bounce back.  We survived the financial crisis of the 70's.  We survived 9/11 and the financial crash of 2008 and Superstorm Sandy.  And we will survive Covid 19.

On Monday night, the lights of the Empire State Building were synchronized with Billy’s performance.  It was amazing.









“Stay strong, New York.  Please. Wear a mask.  And that way you won’t catch any  [bleep] from anybody.”



Comments

  1. There is only one wonderful New York.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Replies
    1. It certainly was. they raised $115 million for Covid relief in NYC.

      Delete
  3. I had no idea the telethon was going to happen. This morning I turned on the TV and the news was playing some of "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)" my heart did a flip flop. I love that song. I have always had a complex relationship with my native New York City but...what can I say? I can't say anything. I'm choked up. (And darn, I missed Cuomo's press conference today because it came on after my lunchtime- and it was perhaps 2 miles from where I live!) Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I heard he was in Johnson City and thought of you!

      Today’s personal story was about taking a walk with his daughter and being confronted by a man who doesn’t want to wear a mask. His point was that wearing a mask was a sign of respect for others, including health care workers.

      You’re considered Southern Tier, right? Getting ready to start opening?

      Delete

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