Al Gore and International Artists Sign Gibson Live Earth Acoustic Guitars

Press release
Source: Gibson Guitar

Gibson Guitar, the world’s premier musical instrument maker and an offical partner of the Live Earth campaign to combat global warming produced 25 exclusive, environmentally-friendly custom J-45 acoustic guitars with the Live Earth logo on the front. These limited-edition guitars made from Rain Forrest Certified Mahognay were signed by many of the performing artists and celebrity presenters at the eight official concerts across the globe. Live Earth's organiser Al Gore signed one of the guitars in New York while many other international artists such as KT Tunstall, Bon Jovi, Spinal Tap, Chris Rock, Ricky Gervais, Genesis, Black Eyed Peas, Snow Patrol, Foo Fighters, Kasabian, Duran Duran and Keane to name a few signed the guitars backstage at the various concerts. These customised guitars which were also used on stage by guitarists Monte Pittman – Madonna, Donnie Little- Paolo Nutini and Tony Bruno from Enrique Iglesias will be auctioned off to benefit the Live Earth concerts and Alliance for Climate Protection.

For nine hours on Saturday 7th July 2007 Wembley Stadium came under the spotlight with the eyes of the world upon it to watch the UK leg of Live Earth. Many of the country's best known artists united for this unique concert to support the campaign on climate change.The 24-hour global music marathon spanning seven continents saw over 150 acts take to the stage. The concerts were watched by over 2 billion people both on the television and via the Internet.

65,000 people packed into the newly refurbished Wembley Stadium to watch the queen of pop Madonna headline the marathon concert which also featured International bands such as The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Duran Duran, James Blunt, Foo Fighters, The Black Eyed Peas, Kasabian, Snow Patrol, Razorlight, Paolo Nutini, Genesis and the anticipated return of cult spoof band Spinal Tap.

With other shows taking place in Sydney, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hamburg, Johannesburg, New York, Washington, Rio de Janeiro and even a performance by a band of scientists at a research station in Antarctica — organisers staged the biggest and boldest musical event, dwarfing both Live Aid and the more recent Live 8 concerts.

The concerts are backed by former Vice President Al Gore, whose campaign to force global warming on to the international political stage inspired the event. At concerts around the world, musicians and celebrities encouraged fans and one another to take little steps, such as not leaving electrical devices plugged in when not in use, or changing to low-energy light bulbs. "Times like these demand action," said Al Gore, speaking to the sold-out crowd in New Jersey 's Giants Stadium.

"Live Earth will ask people across the world to commit to changes in their lives and to move other people, communities, companies and governments to reduce our carbon output by 90 per cent by 2050 and ensure there is a new, global treaty on climate change by 2009." All the artists appeared for free with the proceeds going to the Alliance for Climate Protection, The Climate Group and Stop Climate Chaos.

“Gibson Guitar finds it a privilege to work with Live Earth to combat global warming as the event’s official partner,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “Live Earth is a great opportunity for activists, musicians and organizations alike to draw attention to the impact of Global Warming. Gibson Guitar, and its philanthropic arm, Gibson Foundation, are dedicated to supporting the cause for climate protection and the creation of these environmentally friendly guitars.”

Other bands performing at Live Earth concerts around the world included KT Tunstall, Keith Urban, Smashing Pumpkins, Bon Jovi, Roger Waters and The Police in New York . Sydney rocked Aussie Stadium with local band Wolfmother, Missy Higgins, Paul Kelly, Jack Johnson and Crowded House - playing their first Australian show since their Farewell to the World Concert on the steps of Sydney 's Opera House in 1996. Hamburg saw artists Katie Melua, Shakira and Snoop Dog do battle in the rain. Ending the series of global concerts saw thousands descended on Copocabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro to hear artists such as Macey Grey and Gibson Signature artist Lenny Kravitz.

For more information,pictures, how to bid for a Gibson Live Earth signed guitar and to watch video clips from Live Earth London and the other involved countries please visit http://liveearth.msn.com/ and/or http://www.liveearth.org/.

About Gibson Guitar
Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins and banjos. Gibson’s HD .6X-PRO Digital Guitar represents the biggest advance in electric guitar design in over 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and headquartered in Nashville, since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.’s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Maestro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Gibson Baldwin Music Education, Slingerland Valley Arts, Oberheim, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, Baldwin, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson’s website at www.gibson.com.

About Live Earth
Live Earth is a monumental music event that will bring together more than 2 billion people on July 7, 2007 to combat the climate crisis. Live Earth will stage concerts in New York , London , Sydney , Tokyo , Shanghai , Rio de Janeiro , Johannesburg , Hamburg and will feature a mix of both legendary music acts like The Police, Genesis, Bon Jovi and Madonna with the latest headliners like Kanye West, Kelly Clarkson, Black Eyed Peas and Jack Johnson.

Live Earth’s 24 hours of music across 7 continents will deliver a worldwide call to action and the solutions necessary to answer that call. Live Earth marks the beginning of a multi-year campaign to drive individuals, corporations and governments to take action to solve the climate crisis. Live Earth is partnering with the Alliance for Climate Protection, The Climate Group, Stop Climate Chaos and other international organizations in this ongoing effort. Live Earth was founded by Kevin Wall, a worldwide executive producer of the Live 8 concert series in 2005, and is supported by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore.

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