America: A Tribute to Heroes

America: A Tribute to Heroes
Company type	Benefit concert
Industry	Entertainment, Charity
Founded	September 21, 2001; 25 years ago
Founder	Joel Gallen, George Clooney
Headquarters	Los Angeles, New York, London, United States, United Kingdom
Area served	United States, Canada, International
Products	Live televised benefit concert, CD, DVD

America: A Tribute to Heroes was a benefit concert coordinated by the executives of the four leading American television networks—Fox, ABC, NBC, and CBS—with producer Joel Gallen and celebrity coordinator George Clooney at the helm.

Airing live on September 21, 2001, across these networks and various cable outlets, this telethon-style program showcased performances by both national and international artists aiming to generate financial support for those affected by the September 11 attacks. The primary focus was on assisting families of New York City firefighters and police officers. The broadcast ran continuously without commercial interruptions and received a Peabody Award for its impact. Subsequently, the concert was made available on compact disc and DVD in December 2001.

Recordings took place in studios located in Los Angeles (CBS Television City), New York, and London, while celebrity greetings were transmitted from Los Angeles. Several artists, including Neil Young and Eddie Vedder, contributed by helping manage phone bank donations. The event successfully raised more than $200 million for the United Way's September 11 Telethon Fund.

In 2004, Rolling Stone honored this concert along with the Concert for New York City as one of the 50 defining moments that transformed rock and roll. The event was also broadcast simultaneously in Canada.

Performers

Bruce Springsteen: Delivered "My City of Ruins", a song originally inspired by Asbury Park, New Jersey, reinterpreted as "a prayer for our fallen brothers and sisters," later included on his The Rising album.
Stevie Wonder accompanied by Take 6: Performed "Love's in Need of Love Today" from his 1976 release Songs in the Key of Life.
U2 featuring Dave Stewart, Natalie Imbruglia, and Morleigh Steinberg: Presented "Peace on Earth"/"Walk On" from their 2000 album All That You Can't Leave Behind, performed remotely via satellite from London.
Faith Hill: Sang "There Will Come a Day" from her 1999 album Breathe, supported by a gospel choir and Paul Shaffer on keyboards.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Offered "I Won't Back Down" from Petty's 1989 solo project Full Moon Fever.
Enrique Iglesias: Performed his recently released single "Hero".
Neil Young: Rendered John Lennon's "Imagine", a track Young had not previously recorded.
Alicia Keys: Delivered Donny Hathaway's "Someday We'll All Be Free", also a new addition to her repertoire.
John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, alongside Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst and Wes Borland: Collaborated on Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" with updated lyrics; neither band had recorded it before.
Billy Joel: Performed "New York State of Mind" from his 1976 album Turnstiles.
Dixie Chicks: Presented "I Believe In Love", a new composition later featured on their Home album.
Dave Matthews: Delivered a solo rendition of "Everyday" from the Dave Matthews Band’s 2001 album Everyday.
Wyclef Jean: Performed Bob Marley’s "Redemption Song", which he had not previously recorded.
Mariah Carey: Sang "Hero" from her 1993 album Music Box.
Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora: Presented an acoustic version of "Livin' on a Prayer" from their 1986 album Slippery When Wet.
Sheryl Crow: Introduced "Safe and Sound", a new track later included on her C'mon, C'mon album.
Sting: Performed "Fragile" from his 1987 release ...Nothing Like the Sun.
Eddie Vedder and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, joined by Neil Young: Delivered "Long Road" from Pearl Jam’s Merkin Ball EP (1995).
Paul Simon: Offered "Bridge Over Troubled Water" from Simon & Garfunkel’s 1970 album.
Céline Dion: Sang "God Bless America", arranged by David Foster.
Willie Nelson, accompanied by an ensemble, performed "America the Beautiful."

Speakers

Broadcasters

America: A Tribute to Heroes was aired concurrently by more than 35 television networks and cable channels, including leading broadcasters such as ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, alongside cable outlets like A&E, BET, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, HBO, MTV, Showtime, TNT, USA Network, and VH1.

In addition to television, the tribute was streamed live on the internet via www.tributetoheroes.org and America Online. Radio coverage extended nationwide through upwards of 8,000 stations, including affiliates of Westwood One, Clear Channel Communications, and ABC Radio.

On a global scale, the broadcast reached audiences in over 210 countries through various international networks, notably the BBC in the United Kingdom. The American Forces Network provided real-time radio and TV transmissions to U.S. military members stationed in more than 175 countries worldwide.

Weekly charts

Template:Album chart

Chart (2001)	Highest ranking

Year-end charts

Chart (2002)	Rank
US Billboard 200	120

External links

Jammin' with Neil – Insight into Neil Young’s selection of Imagine