Look To The Stars News: Eddie Vedder

Jack Johnson Donates Tour And Album To Charity

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Jack Johnson’s latest release, En Concert, is on sale now – and all proceeds are going to charity.

En Concert chronicles the “special visual and musical moments from Jack Johnson’s 2008 Sleep Through The Static world tour” and features Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. 100% of the 2008 tour profits and the proceeds from the live album will go to the Kokua Hawaii Foundation – which supports environmental education in the schools and communities of Hawaii – and the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, which matches fans’ donations to the local charities featured in the Village Green area at each of his shows (up to $2500 per concert).

To celebrate the release of the album, Johnson played an intimate acoustic set in front of a hugely enthusiastic audience at the Hawaii Theatre in Honolulu last week, with proceeds going to the Kokua Hawaii Foundation.

Look To The Stars’ founder Myrlia Purcell volunteered for Jack Johnson’s All At Once Campaign during his 2008 tour. To read her report of her experience, click here.

Springsteen, Mellencamp, Harper To Perform at Clearwater Concert

Fri, 01 May 2009 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

This Sunday, May 3rd, will see star performers such as Ben Harper, Dave Matthews, Juanes, John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen come out to support Pete Seeger’s 90th birthday bash benefitting the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.

The Clearwater Concert: Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders is a one night only concert, which raises awareness and funds for continuing Clearwater’s work educating the public and protecting the Hudson river. The event begins at 7pm, at Madison Square Garden, and will feature over 40 artists from a wide variety of musical genres.

Some of the scheduled performers are Joan Baez, Ani DiFranco, Michael Franti, Emmylou Harris, Tao Rodriguez–Seeger, Taj Mahal, Bela Fleck, Keller Williams Billy Bragg, Tom Morello, Tom Paxton and Eddie Vedder.

Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.com, starting at $19.19 and going to $250, with the majority priced at $90 to honor Pete’s birthday. Special Clearwater Legacy Tickets will also be available. For more information, please visit www.Seeger90.com.

And don’t miss the Clearwater Festival, taking place June 20th and 21st. For those who really want to get involved, volunteer positions are available for the weekend-long event.

Jack Johnson And Friends Launch Charity Auction

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Jack Johnson has signed a guitar as part of his new charity auction to raise money for the Kokua Hawaii Foundation, an organization that supports environmental education in the schools and communities of Hawaii.

As well as the guitar, Johnson has also donated a signed surfboard, CDs, songbooks, photos and a signed poster collection to the auction. Other artists to join him in donating items include the Dave Matthews Band, Ben Harper, and Eddie Vedder – all who have donated concert tickets – and Willie Nelson, who has signed a pair of his old sneakers! Jackson Browne has donated a selection of autographed CDs and LPs.

Established by Johnson and his wife, Kim, the Kokua Hawaii Foundation’s mission is to provide students with experiences that will enhance their appreciation for and understanding of their environment so they will be lifelong stewards of the earth. It supports hands-on learning activities that engage their senses and make lasting impressions on children’s minds.

The auction runs until May 1 and can be accessed here.

Remaining Beatles Reunite At Benefit Concert

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr reunited for a special benefit concert in New York on Saturday, April 4.

The pair came together on stage to perform With A Little Help From My Friends, playing together for the first time since George Harrison’s tribute show in 2002. They played three songs together in total on Saturday, Including I Saw Her Standing There.

“At this point we would like to introduce somebody to you who you know, you’ve heard his name,” Sir Paul said as he introduced his former bandmate. “He’s going to come out here and play you a little song this joyful night. Ladies and gentlemen: Billy Shears!!”

Proceeds from the show – which also featured Sheryl Crow, Moby, Donovan, Ben Harper and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder – went to the David Lynch Foundation, set up by filmmaker David Lynch to provide funds for in-school “Quiet Time” programs utilizing the stress-reducing Transcendental Meditation technique. In the past year, the Foundation has provided millions of dollars for thousands of students, teachers, and parents to learn to meditate. The Foundation also provides funds for independent research institutions to assess the effects of the program on creativity, intelligence, brain functioning, academic performance, ADHD and other learning disorders, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. The filmmaker attributes much of his creativity to the practice.

“It gives me great pleasure to be part of this evening,” said Starr. “I feel the aims of this charity are wonderful.”

Bruce Springsteen To Headline Pete Seeger's Charity Birthday Concert

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, Steve Earle, Ben Harper, Tom Morrello and Billy Bragg have been confirmed to perform at Pete Seeger’s 90th birthday gig in May, with proceeds going to charity.

Also set to perform at the gig at Madison Square Garden on May 3 are Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson and many more. The show is set to benefit the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater , a non-profit organisation created to defend and restore the Hudson River.

From the charity’s website: "Clearwater is a 106-foot wooden sailing sloop designed after 18th and 19th century Dutch sailing sloops. In 1966, folk singer and activist Pete Seeger had the vision that the public would come to care for all of our threatened waterways by learning to care for one boat and one river. He inspired a group of dedicated people who made the dream a reality. Launched in 1969, Clearwater serves as a moveable classroom, laboratory, stage, and forum. More than a dozen national and international programs have successfully modeled programs after those pioneered by Clearwater.

“Each year, Clearwater accommodates nearly 13,000 children and adults for education sails that teach history, biology, and environmental science and navigation along the Hudson River, New York Harbor and Long Island Sound. Thousands more are reached through on-land classroom visits, field programs and public exhibits.”

Tickets for the show will cost $19.19 to $250. They go on sale March 30 at 9am on Ticketmaster. More information about the show can be found here.

Surviving Beatles Reunite For Charity Concert

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

As reported by Look To The Stars back in January, Paul McCartney is to headline a charity concert to benefit filmmaker David Lynch’s meditation charity. We can now announce the music icon will be joined by his former Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr.

After initially not confirming that the two stars would share the stage together, a UK spokesperson has now announced that the pair will definitely perform at least one song together – making it a reunion of the surviving members of The Beatles. They last performed together in public at a tribute show for George Harrison in 2002.

Proceeds from the show will go to the David Lynch Foundation, set up by the filmmaker to provide funds for in-school “Quiet Time” programs utilizing the stress-reducing Transcendental Meditation technique. In the past year, the Foundation has provided millions of dollars for thousands of students, teachers, and parents to learn to meditate. The Foundation also provides funds for independent research institutions to assess the effects of the program on creativity, intelligence, brain functioning, academic performance, ADHD and other learning disorders, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. The filmmaker attributes much of his creativity to the practice.

“It gives me great pleasure to be part of this evening,” said Starr. “I feel the aims of this charity are wonderful.”

Tickets for the show – which also features Sheryl Crow, Moby, Donovan, Ben Harper and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and will take place at the Radio City Music Hall in New York on April 4 – go on sale on Monday.

Paul McCartney To Join Pearl Jam For Meditation Concert

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sir Paul McCartney is set to share the stage with Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder to benefit filmmaker David Lynch’s meditation charity.

The concert – also slated to include Sheryl Crow and Moby – will take place at the Radio City Music Hall in New York on April 4, with proceeds going to the David Lynch Foundation.

Lynch set up the charity to provide funds for in-school “Quiet Time” programs utilizing the stress-reducing Transcendental Meditation technique. In the past year, the Foundation has provided millions of dollars for thousands of students, teachers, and parents to learn to meditate. The Foundation also provides funds for independent research institutions to assess the effects of the program on creativity, intelligence, brain functioning, academic performance, ADHD and other learning disorders, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. The filmmaker attributes much of his creativity to the practice.

More information about the concert can be found here.

SurfAid CD Helps Tsunami Victims

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A new CD raising money for some of the areas of Indonesia still recovering from the Boxing Day Tsunami tragedy went on sale exclusively in New Zealand last week.

SurfAid – The Music has been produced by SurfAid International, an organization that aims to improve the health and self-reliance of communities in remote geographical locations regularly visited by traveling surfers.

The new CD features songs specially donated by acts such as John Butler, Bob Marley, Liam Finn, Neil Finn, The Black Seeds, and a special duet between Crowded House and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder.

The organization was set up in New Zealand in 2000 by Dr Dave Jenkins, and now has bases in California, Indonesia, and Sydney. The new CD – which is being endorsed by Kelly Slater – is hoped to raise awareness of the situation in Nias and the Mentawai Islands, off Sumatra, Indonesia, where SurfAid runs a community development program for health, disaster preparedness, as well as water and sanitation programs. 100% of the proceeds from the CD will go towards these programs.

The CD is currently available in music stores and Quicksilver outlets in New Zealand, as well as online through The Loop.

Cream Of The Christmas Celebrity Charity Auctions

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It’s that time of year again when most of us are looking for the perfect gift for those we love, and Look To The Stars wants to make the choice a little easier for you by highlighting some of the great celebrity items up for grabs in the name of charity.

Born-to-run fans of Bruce Springsteen will be revving their engines to get hold of the rocker’s very own Harley Davidson this Christmas. The customized Fatboy motorcycle is up for grabs to benefit the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, the charity founded in 1994 by former professional tennis player Andre Agassi and dedicated to transforming U.S. public education for underserved youth.

“This is my Harley Davidson Fatboy FXFSTF,” said Springsteen. "I bought this bike from a friend in 1993. I did some light customizing and put 9,000 happy miles on it on the backroads of New Jersey. It’s got straight pipes, a McConey carburator, HD saddlebags, custom handle bars, forward controls and foot pegs. It’s extremely reliable and a great cruiser. So, if you’re “Born to Run,” this bike’s for you!"

The auction ends on January 8 and can be accessed here.

Also on sale to benefit the Andre Agassi Foundation is the chance to have a private soccer lesson with David Beckham at the LA Academy he set up to give young, aspiring athletes the chance to develop their skills, learn about teamwork, healthy living and, above all, understand the importance of having fun every time they step on the pitch. This auction ends on December 11, so you had better be quick. It can be accessed here.

And if music is your thing, then you will want to grab hold of the Andre Agassi Foundation’s special celebrity-signed Fender Stratocaster guitar. This once-in-a-lifetime item was autographed at the Summer of Stars Malibu Beach Parties by the Jonas Brothers, James Taylor, Pink, Donny Osmond, Boyz II Men, comedian George Wallace, Emeril Lagasse and many others! This auction ends on January 8, and you can find it here.

If the idea of an autographed guitar excites you, then maybe you will be interested in the rare WANDRE guitar signed by Eddie Vedder and the members of Pearl Jam to benefit Red Feather, a charity that builds sustainable homes for American Indian families. This is another sale you’ll have to be quick for – it ends on December 12 – and you can view it here.

Or maybe you would be more interested in guitars signed by the Jonas Brothers or 3 Doors Down. Both these items are going under the hammer for Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, a non-profit organization that funds leading junior investigators whose work represents cutting-edge thinking in both conventional and integrative disciplines which focus on prevention, treatment and quality of life issues of leukemia, lymphoma and other related cancers. Also included in this auction are the chance to have dinner with astronaut Buzz Aldrin and spend a day with Petra Nemcova. These auctions all end on December 16 and can be found at www.charitybuzz.com.

So there can be no excuse for just finding socks under the tree this year.

Neil Finn's New Album Gets Crowded For Oxfam

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:15:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Crowded House frontman Neil Finn has invited a host of well known musicians to join him in recording a new album for charity.

Finn has invited the core band – and a few special guests – from his 2001 Seven Worlds Collide series of live shows and accompanying live album to create a new album at Roundhead Studios in Auckland, New Zealand, with proceeds going to support Oxfam.

Guests confirmed so far are Radiohead’s Phil Selway and Ed O’Brien, The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, Soul Coughing’s Sebastian Steinberg, multi-instrumentalist Lisa Germano, Wilco members Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt, Glenn Kotche and Pat Sansone, and New Zealand musicians Liam Finn, Don McGlashan and Bic Runga.

The album will be recorded over Christmas and New Year, and will be accompanied by live performances at Auckland’s Powerstation on 5, 6 and 7 January 2009.

Previous participants in Finn’s Seven Worlds Collide shows include Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam in 2001.

Matt Damon Hosts ONE X ONE Awards

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Matt Damon returned to Toronto on Monday to host his third consecutive Difference Awards ceremony for ONEXONE.

Over 500 guest attended the gala, which featured performances from Wyclef Jean, John Legend, Nikki Yanofsky, and the African Children’s Choir.

ONEXONE is a non-profit organization that supports children in Canada and abroad. Established less than four years ago by Joelle Adler, it has already raised over $5 million and created partnerships with major corporations and foundations, such as H2O Africa, the Yéle Haiti Foundation, Millennium Promise, War Child and Spread the Net.

“This is stupid poverty we’re talking about,” said Damon, during his speech about helping people in Africa. “Every day, malaria claims thousands of lives that we didn’t need to lose.”

Damon also revealed that he credits becoming a parent for his commitment to helping children through charity work: “At a certain point it becomes difficult to look at other children and not see your own. Something does change in you once you become a parent… There definitely is a shift there that makes you, I think, a little more obsessed about helping children – But it’s not like before I had kids, I was like: ‘to heck with those kids!’”

ONEXONE will launch in the US in October, with an event featuring Carlos Santana planned for San Francisco. And Damon is proud to announce that next year Eddie Vedder has been confirmed to perform for the organization.

“A lot of my friends and a lot of the people I admire in the business choose to spend their celebrity capital trying to raise awareness about things and improve the conditions in people’s lives,” said Damon. “We’ll all be lying on that bed one day, and you have to make your peace with who you’ve been.”

Pearl Jam To Play Charity Gig

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:36:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Rockers Pearl Jam are to play a one-off charity gig next month.

The band, formed in Seattle in 1990, will play New York’s Beacon Theatre on July 1 to raise money for the Robin Hood Foundation, an organization that targets poverty in the city.

The band is well known for their social campaigning at gigs, with singer Eddie Vedder often changing lyrics of his songs to attack political issues.

Tickets for the gig come with a price – attendees must first donate $100 to the charity, and then purchase tickets starting at $250. The event is expected to raise $3 million for the Foundation.

Eddie Vedder Rocks Kelly Slater Foundation Benefit

Fri, 02 May 2008 19:06:50 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Eddie Vedder, actor/activist Sean Penn, big-wave mogul Jeff Clark, and host Marty Colombatto paddled out in front of Colombatto’s estate overlooking Cotton’s Point (California) last Sunday, the morning after a private benefit concert by Vedder raised over $350,000 in support of the Kelly Slater Foundation.

Only about 600 lucky people, including Sean Penn, were invited to Colombatto’s estate for the concert to benefit the newly formed Foundation, which raises money to create awareness for environmental groups such as Miocean, Reef Check and the Surfrider Foundation.

Popping in to lend their support for the king-o-waves, were Eddie Vedder and Ben Harper. “Half of every song I’ve ever written, was written in the ocean so that’s sort of my way of giving back,” says Vedder.

The highlight of the night was impromptu jam session, with Eddie Vedder, Ben Harper and Kelly Slater pumping out the evening’s final song, Pearl Jam’s “Indifference,” to a standing ovation.

Congratulations to Kelly Slater and his new foundation for an incredibly successful launch which ended on a good note, thanks to the help of some environmentally friendly friends.

Flea's Musical Dream

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:55:10 -0000

Written by Natalia Łajdych

When costs are cut in the educational system, the arty subjects always suffer the most – and so do the pupils. Literature is an important foundation to creating dreams, mathematics allows people to put all the dreams together in logical and strikingly illogical forms, and music creates the melody and spin for the dreams.

To help make the dreams come true, Red Hot Chili Peppers bass player Flea joined Keith “Tree” Barry to establish the Silverlake Conservatory of Music in 2001. Situated on Sunset Boulevard, the non-profit institution offers private lessons in most instruments to children and adults at reasonable prices, and also provides funding for those who cannot afford it.

There is a “20-Peace Orchestra”, where Duke Ellingtons-in-training can get a taste of classical, pops, big band, and Brazilian sounds. The Funk All-Stars Workshop lets students channel their inner James Browns with grooving jam sessions, and the Youth Chorale gives pint-sized singers the chance to learn harmonization and different styles of singing. The conservatory boasts eight air-conditioned studios so students can work up a cramp-free sweat while they jam, and there is also a recital area for clinics and performances – just in case that inner performance diva needs to break free.

Flea hasn’t thought about a nationwide program yet, but believes all children deserve the chance to study music as he did.

“Even a moderately simple understanding of music leads to a much richer life,” he said.

The breaking-the-barriers bassist is too humble to declare that the Silverlake Conservatory will be his legacy, but he is sure of one thing: “It’s the best idea I ever had.”

The crucial part of the Silverlake Conservatory of Music funding is the annual Hullabaloo concert, which provides money for scholarships to more than 100 low-income students whose families would not be able to afford instruments and lessons and also helps to expand the school’s summer camp program. The event’s name, “Hullabaloo,” was chosen to signify the youthful enthusiasm heard emanating from the SCM’s storefront location in Sunset Junction, Silverlake.

Attendees at last year’s event, which took place on
May 5, 2007, were treated to a night of entertainment from actor Woody Harrelson and magician/musician Rob Zabrecky, as well as very special performances by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Charlie Haden, the Ditty Bops, students and faculty of the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, and other special guests. The evening also featured a silent auction to raise funds for the school’s programs.

Keep an eye on Look To The Stars for more information about this year’s Hullabaloo event.

Neil Young Organizes Benefit Concert

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 08:31:28 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Musician Neil Young is to host his annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts near San Francisco on October 27-28, with an eclectic lineup of acts already confirmed to play.

The two acoustic concerts, to be held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, will feature performers such as John Mayer, Metallica, and Pearl Jam singer, Eddie Vedder. Tom Waits will also perform with the classical string ensemble, The Kronos Quartet. Waits and the Quartet first performed together earlier in 2007, as part of a concert to benefit Richard Gere’s Healing the Divide Foundation.

Proceeds from the October shows will benefit Bridge School, a non-profit educational institution in Northern California for children with physical disabilities and severe speech impediments. It was co-founded by Young’s wife, Pegi, in 1986, after three of the couple’s children were born with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Young organized the first Bridge School Concert in 1986, and with the exception of 1987, has hosted the event every year since.

Many of the performers at the concerts return annually. Eddie Vedder has performed eight times with his band Pearl Jam, and is singing this year with Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ bassist, Flea, and ex Chilli Peppers/Pearl Jam drummer, Jack Irons. Other musicians to perform at this year’s shows include singer/songwriters Tegan and Sara, Regina Spektor, and 50s rocker Jerry Lee Lewis. Neil Young will also perform a set.

Tickets to the shows come in three price tiers – $150, $75, and $39.50, and are available through www.ticketmaster.com.

Red Hot Chili Peppers Join Hullabaloo

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 11:58:09 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Eddie Vedder are to perform at the third annual Hullabaloo concert on May 5th in Los Angeles.

Woody Harrelson will be the Master of Ceremonies for the fundraising evening, which will include a silent auction featuring rock photographs, fine art and event packages and trips, as well as a live auction with rare collectibles and a selection of art by Damien Hirst.

The event benefits the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, which will use the funds raised to provide instruments and music lessons for low-income students.

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