NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 7, 2005) – More than 30 Yamaha artists stole the spotlight at the July 2 Live 8 worldwide concerts to raise awareness of African poverty. Some of the concerts' most memorable moments were provided by legendary Yamaha musicians such as
Sir Paul McCartney,
Sir Elton John, Coldplay's
Chris Martin,
Alicia Keys and
Stevie Wonder, just to name a few.
Accompanied on a Yamaha
CFIIIS, McCartney performed the piano-based ballad "The Long and Winding Road," a number one Beatles hit from
Let It Be, on London's Hyde Park concert stage. McCartney also closed the show with an emotional sing-along rendition of the 1968 Beatles number one hit "Hey Jude." Joining McCartney in the finale were many of the day's performers including Bob Geldof, Mariah Carey, George Michael, Annie Lennox, and the Who's Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey.
The always-entertaining Elton John jumped up on his Yamaha CFIIIS to get the crowd going with the energetic "The Bitch is Back." He also performed "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" and "Children of the Revolution" with Baby Shamble's Peter Doherty.
Coldplay's Chris Martin belted out "Fix You" from the band's latest album, X&Y, with a Yamaha GT20. Coldplay then teamed with ex-Verve singer Richard Ashcroft to perform his band's hit "Bittersweet Symphony" to a massive crowd response.
In Philadelphia the crowd stretched out for more than a mile from the concert stage at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to see Yamaha Artists such as Alicia Keys on a DCFIIIS perform "For All We Know" and
Sarah McLachlan, also on a DCFIIIS, perform "Angel."
Another special moment from Philadelphia included Stevie Wonder on the Yamaha
MOTIF ES8 who paired with Rob Thomas on a soulful rendition of "Higher Ground." Then Wonder and Maroon 5 front man Adam Levine gave a rousing performance of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours." Wonder also had the crowd on their feet dancing when he closed the show with "Superstition," the number one hit from the classic LP
Talking Book.
Other Yamaha artists who took to the Live 8 stages around the globe included:
Dido and Youssou N'Dour drummer
Alex Alexander; Bachman Cummings Band guitarist
Randy Bachman; Dave Matthews Band drummer
Carter Beauford; Scissor Sisters drummer
Paddy Boom; Coldplay drummer
Will Champion;
Sheryl Crow; Bryan Adams drummer
Mickey Curry; Dido keyboardist
John Deley; Maroon 5 drummer
Matt Flynn; Rob Thomas drummer
Abe Fogle;
Josh Groban; Placebo drummer
Steve Hewitt; Keane drummer
Richard Hughes and keyboardist
Tim Rice-Oxley; Black Eyed Peas guitarists
Tim Izo and
George Pajon, Jr.; Bassist
Randy Jackson accompanying Mariah Carey; Keith Urban keyboardist
Steve King; Renee Olstead keyboardist
Tommy King; Good Charlotte keyboardist
Billy Martin; Toby Keith keyboardist
Rex Mauney and drummer
Dave McAfee; Our Lady Peace guitarist
Steve Mazur; Jamiroquai drummer
Derrick McKenzie; U2 drummer
Larry Mullen, Jr.; Joss Stone keyboardist
Abel Pabon; Stevie Wonder guitarist
Joel Whitley; and
Brian Wilson.
Live 8 included concerts in London, Philadelphia, Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Berlin, Johannesburg, Moscow and Barrie, Ontario. Live Aid founder Bob Geldof orchestrated the spectacular events in an effort to urge members of the G8 to help poverty-stricken Africa by increasing aid, canceling debt and delivering trade justice. The G8 summit is July 6-9 in Scotland and will be attended by world leaders from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia.
Yamaha has the proud distinction of managing more artist relationships than any other musical manufacturer in the world. Working with more than 3,500 musicians, these artists range in popularity from the mega superstar to the budding talent just starting a career. These musicians shine across the spectrum of musical genres and their abilities are as unique as the vast and wonderful Yamaha product line.
