A bunch of new names have been added to the big Welcome Back show in Central Pakr curated by Clive Davis August 21st.
I already told you about Santana and Rob Thomas joining Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, and Jennifer Hudson, plus the Killers.
Now as I expected, Earth Wind & Fire and Patti Smith, two Clive superstars, are on the bill along with Elvis Costello, Journey, Andrea Bocelli, LL Cool J, Kane Brown, the New York Philharmonic, Jon Batiste, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Cynthia Erivo, Wyclef Jean, Gayle King, Barry Manilow, and Polo G.
Having Cynthia Erivo along with JHud means there’s a chance we’ll see dueling Arethas as both singer-actresses are playing the Queen of Soul this year on screen. Erivo was the star of the Clive-produced “Genius” mini series, and Hudson opens August 13th in “Respect.”
The funny part is this is supposed to be a three hour show, but it’s starting to feel like an old fashioned five hour show. Once you bring the Philharmonic into it, and Earth Wind & Fire, well, then, this is an EVENT not just a concert. Who cares? What else were you going to do that day? It’s not like there’s a Broadway show that night!
I’m hearing that Elvis Costello will at least do “What’s So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding” and “Pump It Up.” But I hope he plays “Watching the Detectives” and a couple more. Patti Smith is scheduled for “Because the Night” with Bruce, but she better get a chance to “People Have the Power,” so appropriate for this show.
So bring a cooler, a pillow and blanket, plenty of sunscreen, and margharita mix. Clive has done it again!
