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All-Star Sing-Alongs Abound at Tibet House Benefit in NYC

2/27/07, 5:30 pm EST

As Ray Davies and Debbie Harry took the stage at last night’s Tibet House benefit concert to lead the audience in an acoustic sing-along of “Lola,” members of the rapt crowd exchanged incredulous glances, doubting that the evening could could get any fucking cooler.

And then it did.

Michael Stipe and Patti Smith — just two of the heavyweights on hand to celebrate Tibetan culture at Carnegie Hall’s seventeenth annual shindig — launched into a rendition of “Everybody Hurts” that made everyone watching a little verklempt. But before anyone had time to wipe their eyes, Stipe unveiled “Chorus and the Ring,” a never-been-played-live tune inspired by a chat he had with William Burroughs about Kurt Cobain. Don’t you love it when pop culture comes full circle?

And so it went for two-and-a-half hours. One icon set the stage for the next — Harry introduced Davies as one of her “all-time idols” — and artists played stripped-down mini-sets that treated thirsty ears to killer one-off performances.

Highlights included Lou Reed’s curmudgeonly grumble on the pissed-off “Ecstasy,” Ben Harper — backed by a string quartet — belting out a mournful “Amen Omen” and Debbie Harry jamming on an unplugged “Heart of Glass.” Also awesome: Patti Smith paying homage to George Harrison (who would have turned sixty-four on February 25th) with a slow-burning “Within You, Without You.”

And then the motley crew of musicians stormed the stage for the finale, urging everyone out of their seats with Smith’s “People Have the Power.” No one dared to keep still.


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Comments

Lobster Dick | 4/25/2008, 9:55 am EST

Who gives a shlt about tibet? It’s another totally WORTHLESS third world shlthole. I’m going out today and buy shltloads of chinese made goods. Go have your shltty concerts and pat yourselves on the back to make yourselves feel worthwhile. NONE of the money raised will go to helping tibet anyway. Fvcking sheep! Oh , almost forgot…michael stipe is a washed up has been.

Charles | 3/26/2008, 1:44 pm EST

Pre-Chinese Tibet (pre-1959) was far worse than PRC Tibet. If you want to “free Tibet” than what you want is to enable the monks to bring back feudalist serfdom and a free labor system. Morons.

pixl oabtwlf | 10/7/2007, 4:27 am EST

mqfxca harig fpxzkdwji nhcbfmt rfmwxlz hzgacbeun vztmxrb

Keith | 5/1/2007, 8:48 pm EST

Peace is
Peace
is Peace

Ian Oliver | 4/20/2007, 3:52 am EST

Referring to Nils Peter | 3/4/2007, 6:30 pm EST comments, no, my friend, it seems America either starts more wars or is instrumental in creating more wars than all religions put together! Think about it!

poor ignorant chinese bastards | 4/19/2007, 8:52 am EST

The Tibetan government is democratically elected, the Dalai Lama has stated he wants a complete seperation of church and state and the exiled government is moving toward that. We Tibetans have for over 50 years suffered the Chinese occupation of our land and in broad terms restrained ourselves due to the leadership of the Dalai Lama. The fact the Chinese would rather believe PRC propaganda then look at the plain as day light truth shatters my faith in humanity.

Nils Peter | 3/4/2007, 6:30 pm EST

Religions are the begining of wars. It have always being.

Jataka | 3/3/2007, 9:04 am EST

For those who posted slander towards Tibet-it is pretty clear to me that they don’t know what or who they are denouncing.
“Give light, and the darkness will disappear” [Buddhist saying]
In other words, wisdom trumps ignorance.
Spewing obscenities and exhibiting contempt for problems of Tibet just about equates to supporting cultural and human genocide.
May all be happy and well- [the central wish from all Buddhists] and Nameste.

Loneshewolf | 3/2/2007, 1:15 pm EST

It’s incredible that for some people any excuse is good to abuse other people and seethe with hatred. How sad.

yak | 2/28/2007, 10:25 pm EST

Dalai Lama is a Tibetan, he knows Tibet and its culture. We should support him.

ashley | 2/28/2007, 9:45 pm EST

Debbie Harry rocked out at CARNEGIE HALL, she was the highlight of the night. Support Tibet against it’s cruel invaders, do not buy products from them.

Chinese Youth | 2/28/2007, 9:12 pm EST

The issue of Tibet just shows the westerners’ ignorance and shortsight. A lot of people were misled by the media.

Dalai Lama uses their sympathy and political intentions. I think what Dailai wants is get back to Tibet and controls people’s mind there.

That isn’t not freedom, not democracy, just another kind of dictatorship, you know?

Why not come over here to see what happens around?

I’m a Chinese, yeah, I love American culture. But I have to admit when I saw the unjust unjust articles on RS, it was really hurtful & angry.

wild horses | 2/28/2007, 5:56 pm EST

Hey nice try buddy, you know jahn
was putting you on. You knew that
didn’t you?
Not nice Jahn.

nice try buddy | 2/28/2007, 3:21 pm EST

Hello Jahn. What is yer blogg? If you have more information please comunitcate to me. My favorite tunes is from Arcade Fire. I know alot about Bon Jovi and Beatels to (from my Childhood). NICE!

Just a fan | 2/28/2007, 2:56 pm EST

Perhaps NF didn’t do her homework,
but why all the anger? Oh, I know,
perhaps we all wish we were writers for RS, and this anger is
really jealousy. I think these immature comments speak more to
a lack civility through perceived
internet anoymity. Simple message to all of the hate peddlers out there.
You need to grow-up. You know who I mean: Muslum hater, all religion is crap, Satan god master(whatever)
Kudos to “nice try” & “NYC Nate”.
love, peace & caring

Jahn | 2/28/2007, 2:38 pm EST

“Everybody need to be cooool! This is toooo crazy! Why eveybody gotta be so crazy (or like I say “Insane in da Membrame”). OKAY? Niocle made nice article and you use as excuse to be nasty on internets! Why you gotta do like that? GIVE ME A BREAK! ”

Nice try buddy,

I would like to offer you a job as a blog writer, we need someone on this staff with such a profound grasp of the english language

nice try buddy | 2/28/2007, 2:17 pm EST

Everybody need to be cooool! This is toooo crazy! Why eveybody gotta be so crazy (or like I say “Insane in da Membrame”). OKAY? Niocle made nice article and you use as excuse to be nasty on internets! Why you gotta do like that? GIVE ME A BREAK!

NYC Nate | 2/28/2007, 1:12 pm EST

Oh, yeah. Let’s allow, arguably, the only peaceful people on this planet die at the hands of the Red Chinks. Good idea, crotch-snorklers.

Also, Muslim Hater. - the Tibetans are Buddhists, you fvcking 27 chromosome having retard!

Lobsters | 2/28/2007, 12:50 pm EST

Hey, Muslim Hater - Tibet isn’t Muslim, it’s Buddhist. And you are a shit head.
And “People Have The Power” is quite possibly the worst song ever written.
” . . . rescue Earth from fools!”
Even my man Muslim Hater has enough sense to know that’s stupid.

Muslim Hater. | 2/28/2007, 11:36 am EST

Let Tibet burn.

Thank you.

Boner | 2/28/2007, 11:35 am EST

Fuck Tibet. Why don’t these artists focus their attention on our countries problems first? These fuckers are as confused as PETA. Why are they so interested in preserving another cultures religion when at the same time they want to destroy religion in America?

YOUR MASTER,SATAN! | 2/28/2007, 11:29 am EST

ATTACK THE CHURCH
CRUSH THE HOLY PRIEST
TURNING THE CROSS TOWARDS HELL
WITH SATAN’S FLAME

CRUSH THE PRIEST
THE FEEBLE CHURCH

DEAD-YOUR GOD IS DEAD
FOOLS-YOUR GOD IS DEAD
USELESS PRAYERS OF LIES
BEHOLD SATAN’S RISE

CRUSH THE PRIEST
THE FEEBLE CHURCH
THE FAMILY OF DOG
LUST UPON MY ALTAR

DEMONS ATTACK WITH HATE
SATAN IN THE FIRES OF HELL AWAITS
DEATH AGAINST YOU ALL

GOD HEAR MY DEATH CALL !

All religion is crap! | 2/28/2007, 11:06 am EST

Let these morons perish & may the Christian dogs be next!

jefferson | 2/28/2007, 10:40 am EST

michael stipe is god. i swear to god he is.

Lobsters | 2/28/2007, 10:23 am EST

Was Thirty Seconds To Mars there? I saw them in a video where they go to Red China and seemed to have a good time. I don’t Michael Stipe approves of that.

Dee | 2/28/2007, 10:18 am EST

“What Mike said, and what Nicole meant was that “chorus
and the ring” has never been
preformed live. What’s with all
the hostility? You must be lots
of fun to be around. Two words:
grow up.
Love, peace & caring.”

If this was true, why did she use the word “unveiled” and “a never-been-played tune”

I agree with the below comment, RS you really do need to do your homework, it seems that these posts for the most part are very half assed.

AUSTIN | 2/28/2007, 10:12 am EST

FREE TIBET!!! RIGHT ON!!! shame on the previous posters.

Just a fan | 2/28/2007, 7:57 am EST

What Mike said, and what Nicole meant was that “chorus
and the ring” has never been
preformed live. What’s with all
the hostility? You must be lots
of fun to be around. Two words:
grow up.
Love, peace & caring.

Zorn | 2/28/2007, 7:42 am EST

Does anyone know if there is a recording of Patti Smith’s cover of “Sweet Dreams” without the Mickey & Mallory voice overs? I love that song, but I don’t want to think of Natural Born Killers every time I hear it.

Mork | 2/28/2007, 7:40 am EST

You lost me at Ben Harper.

Stu | 2/28/2007, 2:43 am EST

Do you honestly think anyone in China will even hear about this or gives a shit about Tibet?

Mouldyoldbear | 2/28/2007, 12:17 am EST

Perhaps Nicole meant that it has never been played live before perhaps? I don’t know. :)

anonymous | 2/28/2007, 12:16 am EST

I don’t know anything about REM, but I have a feeling Rolling Stone probably meant “never been played” to mean “never been played live”, not “never ever been played ever”. So you can still love Rolling Stone.

Kilgore Trout | 2/27/2007, 10:46 pm EST

Tibetan Buddhism is at risk of being totally fucked, an entire religion! It is good to see someone doing something about it.

Warzawa | 2/27/2007, 10:38 pm EST

Like Other Dan said, The Chorus and the Ring is song number 10 on Reveal, released in 2001. I love you RS but do your homework.

meglovesrs | 2/27/2007, 9:00 pm EST

Tibet is the jam. Didn’t anyone read the article in the last issue about it?

Anonymous | 2/27/2007, 8:59 pm EST

It’s a shame how ignorant people can be. If you want to be immature pricks, do it somewhere else.

Caring is GAY! | 2/27/2007, 8:23 pm EST

F*CK TIBET!

Buddy | 2/27/2007, 8:22 pm EST

I agree…f*ck Tibet,let em rot.

CARING IS GAY ! | 2/27/2007, 7:00 pm EST

WHY HELP ANYONE?PEOPLE SUCK & WOULD SLIT YR FVCKING THROAT GIVIN A CHANCE!

FVCK TIBET!

Other Dan | 2/27/2007, 6:44 pm EST

Chorus and the Ring is on an REM album.

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