United We Stand: A Look at the 9/11 Benefit Concert in October 2001

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the devastating terrorist attack on the World Trade Center towers in New York on September 11, 2001. This day represents a historic turning point and a global trauma that permanently changed international politics. We all remember where we were or what we were doing on that historic day. But today we don’t want to talk about what our very own Rod was doing on September 11, 2001; instead, we want to take a look at the major benefit concert “United We Stand: What More Can I Give,” which took place on October 21, 2001, in Washington, D.C., in honor of the victims of the terrorist attacks. But for those who are interested: Sir Rod spent September 11, 2001, in Mallorca.

At Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, numerous legends and artists of the time performed under the direction of Michael Jackson. The event began in the early afternoon and lasted well into the night. The lineup included Mariah Carey, James Brown, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, Huey Lewis, as well as Destiny’s Child, the Backstreet Boys, and Pink. Fun fact: Aerosmith performed that evening both in Washington and at their regularly scheduled concert in Indianapolis. Overall, however, “United We Stand” was anything but a successful evening: Artists like Mick Jagger, Kiss, and Ricky Martin canceled their appearances or were conspicuous by their absence.
But one performance stood out—and now we come to the most important part of the evening (or not?)—Sir Rod’s performance was outstanding. With his band, he really got the crowd going with “Hot Legs,” then sent two powerful messages out into the world with “Forever Young” and “Rhythm of My Heart.” Messages that the world not only needed back then, but still needs today. Not all of the other artists that evening could say the same for themselves.
The press pretty much tore apart the event, which was slightly chaotic at times, and even called it the “worst benefit concert of all time.”

Nevertheless, “United We Stand” ultimately raised $3 million, which was donated to relief organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and the Pentagon Relief Fund.