Cindy Adams
NYP.com
06-01-04
“Wyclef Jean opens, Bette closes and she’ll also do a ‘Do-Run-Run’ duet with Darlene Love. We’re working on a video about John. Introducers are Paul Newman, Richard Gere, Uma Thurman, Jessica Lange, Chevy Chase. Robin does 15 minutes; Whoopi, 15. John speaks at the end of the show.”
Kindly recall I am the first to have clued you about John Kerry’s June 10 fund-raiser. I now tell you more. It’s called “A Change Is Going to Come.” It’s 6 p.m. Two hours. Radio City Music Hall. Stars Bette Midler, who’s a friend of Teresa Heinz Kerry, Whoopi Goldberg, who’s a friend of William Jefferson Clinton, Robin Williams, who’s a friend of anyone not Republican. Also Jon Bon Jovi, Wyclef Jean, John Mellencamp and Kerry’s longtime Boston pal James Taylor. Exec producer is Jann Wenner, the Creator and Lord God Almighty and main man behind Rolling Stone magazine.
So why him?
Says Jann: “John’s my friend from the old days. We both have homes in Sun Valley. We ski together, lunch together. We’re neighbors. We discussed this six years ago but Al [Gore] ran. So, two years ago, after John said he’s definitely running, we talked about organizing two concerts. Both needed to be done before the convention, so planning started in March. I told him: ‘It’s time to have a snowboarder in the White House.’ ”
The first production is June 7 in L.A. at Disney Hall, featuring Barbra Streisand, Neal Diamond, Willie Nelson, Billy Crystal. “It took several calls to get Barbra. I know her and John himself called her. Then came Neal. Then Willie and Billy. One manager won’t commit until another confirms. Lots of egos have to be checked at the door. I had to say, ‘Look, don’t do it for me. Do it for the country.’ The hosts are Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Ben Affleck, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman. No speeches, just intros.
“It’s never easy. So many levels within the campaign. They want to be risk-averse. Some object to spending money. Some want something different but get skittish. John and Teresa absolutely wanted these events. They’re both flying to the coast then coming here for a week.”
So, about New York which is usually the only city that means anything anyhow:
“Wyclef Jean opens, Bette closes and she’ll also do a ‘Do-Run-Run’ duet with Darlene Love. We’re working on a video about John. Introducers are Paul Newman, Richard Gere, Uma Thurman, Jessica Lange, Chevy Chase. Robin does 15 minutes; Whoopi, 15. John speaks at the end of the show.”
They figure to raise $7 mil. Orchestra seats are $1,000. For 25G, you can get in on the post-concert dinner for 150 VIPs at a “to be decided” venue.
Possible translation of “To be decided”? They’re awaiting some lovely liberal restaurateur to offer his classy joint
