Michael Dorf of City Winery fame has been producing tribute concerts to rock legends at Carnegie Hall for years and years. But the honorees, like Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, Elton John, the Rolling Stones and so on usually do not participate in the event– too shy? Still, stars and peers come and sing their songs. (I’ll never forget Phoebe Snow tearing down the house with Elton’s “Empty Garden” or Sam Moore doing Paul Simon’s “Loves Me Like a Rock.”
Well, this time it’s different. The honoree this March is Carly Simon. Not only are A-listers turning out, but Simon herself– who rarely performs live– will be on hand. Who knows? She may even get up on stage and sing. The concert is for a charity called MusicOf.org, and Simon says: “I’m so proud to be involved with bringing music into the lives of underprivileged children. It’s a tribute to them. I will be singing along with all of the exceptional performers who have given their time. If it’s only in the rehearsals, I’m going to be footloose in the aisles.”
Updated today, the list of performers is not bad. It includes Cyndi Lauper, Michael McDonald, and even Carly’s former brother in law Livingston Taylor. They’ve also added Darlene Love, the Indigo Girls, writer/producer Linda Perry, Rachael Price from Lake Street Dive, and Carly’s family– “kids” Ben and Sally Taylor and John Forte, their pal who Carly got sprung from jail after a stupid drug conviction. I’m also excited because legends Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr of the 5th Dimension, are on the bill.
More performers will be added shortly. But at this rate, Dorf may have to add a second show!
