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In 1985, Irish rocker Bob Geldof organized what was then the biggest charity concert series in history: Live Aid, which raised $200 million for African famine relief. Now, two decades later, Geldof has organized a sequel, Saturday's Live 8 concert series. In advance of the nine worldwide shows, we get a Live 8 primer with Blender magazine senior editor Ann Powers. Also: Through his band the Eels, singer/songwriter Mark Oliver Everett has drawn on the turmoil and tragedy in his life to create ambitious music that, according to Rolling Stone, "demonstrates disarming wit, tear-stained awareness and heavenly loser love." His recently released CD, Blinking Lights and other Revelations, has been called "some of the best-written songs of this new century" by the magazine Under the Radar, and on today's show, Uncle E himself comes by guitar-in-hand for a performance and a chat. Finally, Noche Flamenca has developed into one of Spain's most successful flamenco companies. They join us in the studio to talk about flamenco and their recently extended run at Theatre 80.
Additional Resources:
» 33 Things You Should Know About Live Aid
» Noche Flamenca's Web site
» The Eels Web site