U2 and Green Day Mark Re-Opening of Louisiana Superdome

Press release
Source: Gibson Guitar

Music Rising, the campaign launched to help bring the music back to the storm ravaged Gulf Coast Region announced an extraordinary pairing of two of the world’s greatest rock bands for a special show before ESPN’s Monday Night Football game between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on Monday, September 25, 2006. U2 and Green Day will make an unprecedented appearance together on stage to officially re-open the Louisiana Superdome and perform for the people of New Orleans on behalf of Music Rising. The pre-game show and special performance is sponsored by RealNetworks’ Rhapsody digital music service. Music Rising is administered by the Gibson Foundation.

In the days following Hurricane Katrina, the Louisiana Superdome became a symbol of agony and distress. This NFL football game is the first event to originate from the stadium since the Katrina devastation. It will be highlighted by a special live performance by U2 and Green Day that will be televised during ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown pre-game show between 7:00pm-8:30pm EDT (performance 8:20-8:30pm). An opening video presentation showcasing the efforts of Music Rising and the Superdome will air prior to the performance by the two super-groups.

“My visits to New Orleans gave me a firsthand look at the devastation which tragically destroyed the lives of thousands. The area’s rich and spirited culture must continue to be restored. Providing musical instruments through Music Rising will not only help the professional musicians but all the churches and schools in need through phase two of the program. Music Rising is dedicated to helping regain a foothold on their future but will also ensure that one of the Gulf Coast’s greatest assets, its music, will rise again,” said The Edge.

The collaborative effort, of what is sure to be an electrifying performance will also officially launch Music Rising Phase II. This phase of the campaign will provide musical instruments to churches and schools. In an extraordinary show of support U2 and Green Day will debut “The Saints Are Coming,” a song originally written and performed in 1978 by The Skids, a seminal Scottish punk rock band. The song expresses frustration but ends with a statement of resolve and determination.

“One year later, people continue to be devastated by Katrina’s effects,” says Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong. “We hope that by collaborating with U2, we’ll remind the public that people of the Gulf Coast are still suffering and still need help to rebuild their lives. The Edge and Music Rising are providing support to schools, churches and musicians who lost everything in the storm, including their ability to make a living. We are honored to be asked and proud to be part of that.”

In addition to the live broadcast, Rhapsody will offer a live streaming audio webcast of the entire Monday Night Football pre-game show featuring U2 and Green Day via www.rhapsody.com. Shortly after the event, fans will have the ability to buy a download from U2 and Green Day’s performance via Rhapsody. All net proceeds will go directly to Music Rising. Both the exclusive Music Rising charity track and select exclusive footage from the performance will be available for a limited time via www.rhapsody.com/musicrising. A simultaneous radio broadcast offered to radio stations by Westwood One worldwide will encourage solidarity across the globe for the people of New Orleans and the efforts to rebuild from destruction. Westwood One is providing the broadcast on a non-exclusive and uninterrupted basis.

Music Rising was formed in late 2005 by U2’s The Edge, producer Bob Ezrin and Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz. Since its inception it has been recognized throughout the world and has aided over 2,000 professional musicians. Many of the Gulf Region’s musicians who have depended on the local music industry for their livelihood have been supported by Music Rising through the replacement of lost or destroyed instruments and equipment. The Monday Night Football pre-game event marks the introduction of the initiative’s second phase. Rebuilding the Gulf Coast Region “Note by Note” has become a symbolic tagline of the Music Rising campaign. The NFL also intends to involve Music Rising in various upcoming events throughout the season. The initiative has been the recipient of the 2005 Gold Halo Award for Cause Marketing and was recently announced as the recipient of the prestigious 2006 Billboard Humanitarian Award to be honored in New York on November 9, 2006. Amongst the campaign’s many supporters, President Bill Clinton has provided his time to help drive awareness for the continued need in the area through the efforts of Music Rising.

Music Rising Phase II will be administered by The Gibson Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Gibson Guitar along with The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation for schools and All Congregations Together for churches. Instructions for making donations and FAQS concerning applications for support can be found by visiting the Music Rising or Gibson Foundation websites at www.musicrising.org and www.gibsonfoundation.org. All donations are tax deductible with 100% of support going directly to the Gulf Coast Region. A limited edition Music Rising Epiphone guitar with the exclusive Music Rising artwork featured on the t-shirt worn by The Edge at this year’s Grammys will also be available for purchase exclusively through Musician’s Friend. All proceeds from the guitar sales will also benefit the Music Rising campaign. To order the Epiphone Music Rising guitar or inquire go to www.musiciansfriend.com. On the day of the performance a special toll free number will be set up to take donations.

About Music Rising
The goal of Music Rising is to restore the musical heart and culture of the Gulf Region by replacing the musical instruments and equipment that were lost during the hurricane disasters of 2005. Partners in the special Louisiana Superdome event represent a dynamic and comprehensive grouping of entertainment giants including ABC News Now, ESPN, RealNetworks, Westwood One, The NFL, and Gibson Guitar. For more information on Music Rising go to www.musicrising.org. Music Rising is helping to renew the Gulf Coast region by rebuilding it note by note. Founders include U2’s The Edge, producer Bob Ezrin and Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz.