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Left: Bob Geldof, U2's i Bono, Bryan Adams and Sting (from left) join in the finale at the Los • l Angeles Forum stop of ~ the Amnesty tour. • Clockwise from boHom j right: Eurythmics' Dave Stewart and Bob Geldof

Ill pair up to perform a ~ UJ version of Bob Marley's l ~ "Get Up, Stand Up" in .....(.) ' z L.A.; Sting gets intense (3 UJ during his set at the c:: z tour's opening night at ~ ili San Francisco's Cow (f) Palace; Bono during :I:a. ~ U2's explosive set in (.!) ~ San Francisco. 0 a.:I:

All-star lineup gives America the message BY MICHAEL GOLDBERG

BEFORE IT GOT UNDER WAY, THE MAIN The Neville Brothers got things U2 hit the stage with an in­ question about Amnesty International's going with an ebullient common O rleans dance grooves, then turned turning the rock standard into these days: Would the music be equal, serious with "Everybody Better Wake both an invitation and a chal­ or even relevant, to the cause? At the Up," a song they introduced as tCow Palace, the answer .was joined by Joan Baez, who, in a friendly gency, and promoter Bill Gra­ a rousing, defiant yes. gesture to the current rock audience, ham had to personally send Over five hours of worlddass, world­ broke into a ve r sion of Tears for dozens of kids who rushed the conscious rock & roll ended on a note Fears' ttShout." stage back to their seats. In the of hope and commitment as Sting, The real surprise of the evening midst of a rousing «Pride (In Bono, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Jackson was how well the show's musically the Name of Love)," Bono ­ Browne, Bryan Adams and Joan Baez eclectic participants sounded side by looking a bit like Jim Morrison stood together at the front of the Cow side: the New York streetwise rock & with his long, shaggy hair and Palace stage for a passionate rendition roll of a black-leather-jacketed Lou Wild Bill Hickok cowboy jack­ of Bob Dylan's classic song of freedom Reed, the righteous Southern Califor­ et - quieted the band: tLos Angeles Browne, the angular art-rock of Peter he told the audience. t'Every San Francisco.

All-star lineup gives America the message BY MICHAEL GOLDBERG

BEFORE IT GOT UNDER WAY, THE MAIN The Neville Brothers got things U2 hit the stage with an in­ question about Amnesty International's going with an ebullient "Hey Pocky spired version of Eddie Coch­ Conspiracy of Hope benefit tour was A-Way," one of their classic New ran's "C'mon Everybody," l one chat's become increasingly common Orleans dance grooves, then turned turning the rock standard into j these days: Would the music be equal, serious with "Everybody Better Wake both an invitation and a chal­ or even relevant, to the cause? At the Up," a song they introduced as "a lenge to the audience. The end of the tour's opening show at San prayer for peace." They were then crowd responded with equal ur­ Francisco's Cow Palace, the answer was joined by Joan Baez, who, in a friendly gency, and promoter Bill Gra­ a rousing, defiant yes. · gesture to the current rock audience, ham had to personally send Over five hours of worlddass, world­ broke into a version of Tears for dozens of kids who rushed the conscious rock & roll ended on a note Fears' "Shout." stage back to their seats. In the l of hope and commitment as Sting, The real surprise of the evening midst of a rousing "Pride (In I Bono, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Jackson was how well the show's musically the Name of Love)," Bono­ ' Browne, Bryan Adams and Joan Baez eclectic participants sounded side by looking a bit like Jim Morrison stood together at the front of the Cow side: the New York streetwise rock & with his long, shaggy hair and Palace stage for a passionate rendition roll of a black-leather-jacketed Lou Wild Bill Hickok cowboy jack­ of Bob Dylan's classic song of freedom Reed, the righteous Southern Califor­ et - quieted the band: "Sing it and redemption, "I Shall Be Released." nia consciousness-raising of Jackson for every prisoner in every jail;' Two nights later at the Los Angeles Browne, the angular art-rock of Peter he told the audience. "Every I Forum, that same passion was in evi­ Gabriel (who performed a moving prisoner rotting in jail. Are you J dence as the show's lineup was expand­ version of "Biko;' his tribute to mar­ with us?" By that time, there ed to include sets by Bob Dylan with tyred South African dissident Steve was no doubt about the answer. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Biko) and the anthemic mainstream "Sunday Bloody Sunday;' Live Aid organizer Bob Geldof with Eu­ rock of Bryan Adams. "New Year's Day" and "Bad" rythmics' Dave Stewart (doing Bob But it was Sting and U2 who turned were offered up in typically ex­ Top: A very na-Hily dressed Sting Marley's ''Get Up, Stand Up"), as well a great concert into a freedom party, plosive U2 style, but it was a rugged fields a question during an L.A. news as cameo finale appearances by Bonnie bringing the crowd to their feet with version of Bob Dylan's "Maggie's conference to discuss plans for Raitt, Don Henley, Joni Mitchell and two sets of stunning, emotion-packed Farm;' played into a medley of the Bea­ Amnesty's Conspiracy of Hope music. At the end of a set chat included Lone Justice's Maria McKee. tles' "Help" and John Lennon's "Cold benefit tour. With him are Joan Baez No time was wasted establishing the "If You Love Somebody Set Them Turkey" that gave the band's perform­ and prominent West Coast concert tone of the tour: at just ten minutes past Free;' "When che World is Running ance a special poignance. U2 wrapped promoter Bill Graham. Above: An seven on the first night in San Francisco, Down, You Make the Best of What's things up with a blistering "Sun City" all-star pack of Amnesty's tour mates a huge, crystal-dear video screen played Still Around" and "Russians," Sting (with Lou Reed jumping in ro rap a gathers backstage for an MTV the Special AKA's antiapartheid anthem performed a haunting solo version of verse) before the all-star chorus joined interview held at the Cow Palace "(Free) Nelson Mandela" for the 13,000- "Message in a Bottle," bringing to them onstage for the moving finale. concert- U2's lead guitarist the plus crowd on hand. The concert itself mind his inspired 1981 performance "I think it worked," shouted a de­ Edge, Joan Baez, Jackson Browne, consisted of seven sets varying in length at Amnesty International's Secret Po­ servedly happy Bono shortly after mid­ Bryan Adams, Lou Reed and Peter from twenty to forty minutes. liceman's Other Ball. night "It's a good thing we came here." • Gabriel (from left).

18 ROWNG STONE SUMMER '86