Rod Stewart Concert Broadcast - October 18
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Keep A Child Alive Benefits!
Rod Stewart Rasps (Keep A Child Alive Benefits)
By Verena Dobnik
Associated Press
NEW YORK -- When he's home in England, Rod Stewart loves to
spend his time tinkering with trains at Grand Central Station, a
miniature model of the landmark Manhattan station stored up in
the attic.
When he's actually in New York, Stewart has other pursuits. On
Oct. 18, the raspy-voiced singer with the eternally shaggy hair
is heading to Harlem's Apollo Theater for a live show before the
release of his latest CD, "Stardust... The Great American Song-
book: Volume III."
"Singing these amazing songs has moved me deeply and given me a
much-needed kick in the arse," said the 59-year-old pop-star-
turned-crooner, who reigns as the highest grossing British act
in the United States.
The Harlem appearance -- an invitation-only concert on the eve
of the album's release -- is to be broadcast live via the Inter-
net, featuring some of America's most beloved songs from the al-
bum's 14 tracks.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame makes his gritty, world-weary way
through romantic standards like "Embraceable You" and "Manhat-
tan" (sung in duet with Bette Midler). Also on the album is
Stewart singing "Baby, It's Cold Outside" with Dolly Parton, and
"Blue Moon" to Eric Clapton's guitar.
With Stevie Wonder playing a harmonica riff, Stewart delivers
"What A Wonderful World" - made famous by Louis Armstrong, with
Stewart echoing Satchmo's even raspier voice.
The live Web broadcast on AOL starts at 9 p.m. (The link is free
of charge to anyone, not just AOL subscribers). Some tickets to
the show are available through radio-station giveaways and Stew-
art's fan club. The concert will be available on demand for 11
days.
His first and second volumes of "The Great American Songbook"--
released in 2002 and 2003 -- were both Grammy nominees, together
selling more than 10 million copies.
Stewart is among a line-up of singers who've recently revived
the age-old American Songbook, including Neil Diamond, Anna
Bergman and Barry Manilow and 21-year-old Peter Cincotti.
With a four-decade career behind him, Stewart has world-view
passions like helping HIV-positive African children. From the
Harlem stage, he plans to make an appeal for donations to 'Keep
a Child Alive', an organization dedicated to providing lifesav-
ing AIDS medicine to African families. Keep a Child Alive is at
http://www.keepachildalive.org. Rod Stewart will be featured in
a public service announcement for the cause.
Another band, Good Charlotte, celebrated the release of their
new album, "The Chronicles of Life and Death", with an AOL Music
LIVE Concert Broadcast from New York City on October 4. Through
an interactive campaign featured during the event, fans were en-
couraged to donate to 'Keep A Child Alive'. Other such concerts
have featured Alicia Keys and April Lavigne.