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Concerts For the Heartland Jul 28, 1993 (31 years ago) World Music Theatre Tinley Park, Illinois, United States
The Daily Reporter:
A performance by John Mellencamp in the first of three flood benefit "Concerts For the Heartland" was a sellout Wednesday night.
Before the show at an outdoor theater in Tinley Park new Chicago, Mellencamp said the concerts are his way of sending a postcard to victims of the Midwest flooding. Mellencamp was joined in Wednesday's performance by rock guitarist Joe Walsh.
Mellencamp - known for songs like "Jack and Diane" and a style sometimes called heartland rock - said money raised from the concerts will be nowhere near what the victims of Mississippi River flooding need. But he said he hopes the generosity of concert-goers will help the victims.
"The concerts are a passive way for people to be involved in the flood relief efforts," Mellencamp said.
The $10 admission fee will go to the American Red Cross.
The Beach Boys also planned to help flood victims next month with a concert in Moline.
Flooding since the beginning of June in the Midwest has contributed to 42 deaths and caused at least $10 billion in damage.
With swollen rivers pressing for weeks against levees built to withstand only temporary strains, residents across six states are battling to prevent further disastrous breaks that have already devastated numerous towns.
Bill Braden, head of the Mid-America Chapter of the Red Cross, said that while concert-goers were asked to bring clothing, food, water or other items to the show to help flood victims, relief officials can no longer accept such items because of huge donations. The items were kept for use in the Chicago area,
Braden said proceeds from the concerts will help the agency make sure flood victims have food, new clothes and a place to stay. Braden estimated Red Cross flood relief efforts could cost up to $20 million.
Mellencamp said he got involved because he knew some of the people affected by the flooding. He said he decided to charge only $10 for the concerts because he will not be putting on a major production.
"I am not putting on a real show, just a little music," he said. "It is a good way to bring people together."
Mellencamp also planned a concert in Indianapolis on Thursday and St. Louis on Friday. The band Blind Melon will also perform, and Bob Dylan is scheduled to join Mellencamp in St. Louis.
Tickets went on sale Wednesday for the Beach Boys' "Road To Recovery" concert on Aug. 11.
That show, cosponsored by a local television station, will be held the night before a concert the Beach Boys already were scheduled to perform. Also attending the concert will be the group America, which gained fame in the 1970s.
Leas Campbell, a concert promoter, said a check will be presented to Quad-City area flood-relief agencies after the Beach Boys concert.
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Enuff Z’Nuff also played before Walsh at this show.
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