Article Library

Columbia, MD.—“Most of us are speaking out as citizens—music just happens to be our job. We’re simply public figures,” said Michael Stipe, during a backstage press conference at the Earth Day Concert.

“I think it’s a sad state of affairs when the entertainers have to do what the politicians should be doing.”

Stipe, along with friend and fellow artist Natalie Merchant, helped to recruit some of the talent for this seven-hour long, music-filled performance for the planet. The lineup features sets by: Graffitiman, Michelle Shocked, Billy Bragg (solo and later with Peter Buck), the Jungle Brothers, Crack The Sky, the Indigo Girls (with Stipe as a special guest), KRS-One, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Bruce Hornsby and the Range, 10,000 Maniacs and Ziggy Marley.

[Two paragraphs are illegible]

…for Elektra—praised their label. “Elektra has quite a long history, dating as far back as Phil Ochs,” noted Bragg, “and Jackson Browne has made some of the most political videos I’ve ever seen.”

In direct contrast, KRS-One criticized RCA Records, who have “not supported Boogie Down Productions—or the Stop the Violence Movement.” He described this as the “pimp and whore situation—capitalism in a nutshell.” Ironically enough, it was labelmate Bruce Hornsby, along with his group the Range, who stole the show. Premiering a new song, “The Barren Ground,” from his soon-to-be released album, Hornsby encouraged the audience to “take today—take it with you—don’t just leave it here.”

That was as heavy as the messages got from the stage. In between acts, a series of public service announcements were shown on the large video screens. They included statements from celebrities such as Carly Simon, Susan Sarandon, Martin Sheen, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Klein, and others. In addition, original commercials for a number of environmental organizations ranging from the Rainforest Alliance, [to] the Greenpeace and Conservation International reminded the crowd why they were there. All of the video facilities were provided by VH-1.

The grand finale of the concert featured a number of artists individually reciting lines from the Green Pledge, the Earth Day 1990’s organization’s equivalent of the pledge of allegiance. (If you haven’t yet signed the pledge and you’d like more information, contact the Earth Day 1990 office, (415) 321-1990). Then, the entire group got together to sing a rousing version of the Bob Marley classic, “Stand Up For Your Rights.” [sic]

A 22-page brochure, printed on recycled paper was handed out to concertgoers. It was full of all sorts of useful information on different environmental groups and what you can do in your own life. Earlier in the day, comedian Joe Hodgson who emceed the concert, announced that there was a $500 bet going on backstage that these programs were going to be left behind and litter the grounds. When the show concluded and the crowd cleared out, there was very little garbage and only a small number of these brochures. As the Earth Day 1990 slogan goes, “Who says you can’t change the world?”