Live Earth: The highlights

The Live Earth series of global concerts, spearheaded by former US Vice President Al Gore to promote awareness of global warming and other environmental issues, took place on Saturday (July 7th) on all seven continents, over 24 continuous hours. All of the acts donated their time and performed for free.

Highlights included:

The Foo Fighters in London who stole the show with an electrifying performance

Keith Urban and being joined by Alicia Keys for a cover of "Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones, in New York

The Police being joined by John Mayer and Kanye West for their set closer "Message in A Bottle" in New York. (The Police used a teleprompter for their lyrics.)

Chester Bennington of Linkin Park speaking Japanese to the crowd in Tokyo.
The stage lights going out during Crowded House's performance in Sydney, and the band continuing anyway.

Nunatak, a five-piece band of scientists performing in below-zero temperatures at the Rothera Research Station in Antarctica, to an audience of seventeen people and some penguins.

The London show opening with a massive drum circle, including Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Roger Taylor of Queen.

Spinal Tap performing a set in London, and being joined by James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo of Metallica, Adam Yauch of Beastie Boys, and almost every bass player from the event, for a performance of "Big Bottom."

Spinal Tap's Nigel Tufnel shouted "Hello Wimbledon!" David St Hubbins then corrected him, and said they were in Wembley.

Roger Waters had a white Pink-Floyd style inflatable pig flying at Giants Stadium -- with "Save Our Sausages" written on the side. He was also joined by the Trenton Youth Choir on "Another Brick in The Wall Part 2."

Smashing Pumpkins including an electric guitar rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" during one song, a la Jimi Hendrix. (Billy Corgan also plugged he band's new album and complained about people who download music.)


A rumored Paul McCartney never appeared, in London or anywhere else.
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