Do you remember this show and album?
Filmed: Tuesday, January 9th, 1979
Location: United Nations, National Assembly Hall, New York, USA
Broadcast: LIVE in the USA by NBC (and subsequently broadcast in 70 countries to an audience of 300 million people). Air dates: 25th April 1979 and November 1st 1979, at 3.40pm on TV1 in Italy and called "Una canzone per regalo". In Argentina, it was called "El Regalo de Una Canción".
This show has not been included on any officially released video, CD or DVD
UNICEF is an acronym for the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. 1979 was their "International Year of The Child".
The founding committee for the concert consisted of Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb (The Bee Gees), their manager Robert Stigwood and Sir David Frost, the famous English TV presenter. Initially, the committee invited ABBA, Olivia Newton-John, Rod Stewart, Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge (then husband and wife), Barry Manilow, Elton John and Andy Gibb. However, as the date of the concert approached, both Barry Manilow and Elton John found that their other commitments made it impossible for them to be present. Fleetwood Mac were on the original line-up as well). Barry and Elton were replaced by Donna Summer, John Denver and Earth, Wind & Fire.
The idea was that apart from performing at the concert without getting paid, each of the artists who took part would donate the royalties from one of their songs to UNICEF. ABBA donated the rights to "Chiquitita" to the UN Children's Fund. The evening's show was presented by Sir David Frost, co-hosted by Henry (The Fonz from "Happy Days") Winkler, Henry Fonda and Gilda Radner.
Each artist was shown arriving at the United Nations Assembly Hall.
It was funny, ABBA were introduced ("Benny-Bror-Goran-Andersson-Bjorn Christian Ulvaeus-Agnetha-Ase-Anna-Faltskog-Ulvaeus Anni-Frida-Lyngstad. Or to put it another way - ABBA!") by Gilda Radner (wife of US comic actor Gene Wilder (she died in 1989)) and performed "Chiquitita" (it was NOT a LIVE performance however). Prior to the performance they were seen sitting in their seats waiting for their turn. Donna Summer presented ABBA with the Parchment so they could sign over the royalties for the song.
After John Denver's performance, ABBA presented him with the Parchment.
At the end of the concert, the all-star line-up, led by John Denver, sang "Put A Little Love in Your Heart".
The concert was a huge success and was broadcast in over 70 countries around the world seen by more than 300 million people. It was estimated the Music for UNICEF concert, plus the song royalties donated by the contributing artists, amounted to more than £50,000,000.
An LP was released which featured 10 of the songs featured at the concert including "Chiquitita" (remember, it was not a live performance, just the normal studio version).
It's very sad, looking back, at the number of artists in this concert that are no longer with us: John Denver, Andy Gibb & Maurice Gibb.
Some videos made it to YouTube!
This is the song which closed the show: "Put A Little Love In Your Heart"
The Bee Gees - Too Much Heaven.
Which was followed by
Earth, Wind & Fire - That's The Way Of The World (you can't really be cooler than this...)
And of course, "Benny-Bror-Goran-Andersson-Bjorn Christian Ulvaeus-Agnetha-Ase-Anna-Faltskog-Ulvaeus Anni-Frida-Lyngstad. Or to put it another way - ABBA!") Cheesy song, but it sold MILLIONS.
I wish there was video footage of Rod Stewart and "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy"!!! (he was presented by Henry Winkler, who said: "Ladies & Gentlemen, The ORIGINAL, Rod Stewart!". Funny how Rod calls himself a "Scottish rock singer", when he was actually born in England...
I remember trying to re-release this album on CD while I worked for PolyGram, but PolyGram New York had lost the contract...
so I have now recorded the LP and transferred it to digital format, making every attempt to get rid of the click & crackle noise of the original vinyl. It seems to have worked out quite well!. I have uploaded the remastered LP. Should you wish to download it, use the following link:
Enjoy!
Cheers
Ernie
