Oh Canada

Yes I was one of the 2 billion that watched LIve 8. And I enjoyed it. For those of you who were too cool to watch (if you were too busy i understand) you missed what I called a smorgasboard of entertainment; it had something for every taste.
I gotta say right off that Motley Crue rocked the crowd in Barrie with energy-injected good ol' rock and roll. Although some of my j-school compatriots hadn't cracked the double-digit age mark, opening with Kickstart My Heart brought the people to life. You can dislike the music but you cannot deny they enrgized the crowd.
There were some unusual pairings of note: Sarah McLaughlan w/Josh Groban and Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and Stevie Wonder. I knew Groban could sing but Levine impressed me. The guy got soul. Speaking of soul, Joss Stone (in her traditional barefoot attire) worked the stage and the crowd and was as soulful, sultry and seductive as ever. She's got the voice and she knows how to deliver.
One of my favourites was Madonna. The stage was awash in white as Madonna opened with Like a Prayer. I couldn't help but think back to when the video was released the protest from the Catholic Church. With Madonna was a beautiful African lady whose life was saved after the first LIve Aid 20 years ago--for those who think you cannot make a difference. Of course in true Madonna fashion, she managed to blurt out the 'F-word' right as the church choir accompanying her was filing off the stage. I kept thinking, she may be a mom of two, she may author children's books and she may be 'mellowing out some' but she was amazing.
Of all the bands I saw, only one seemed a little uncomfortable and that was A-ha. Lead singer couldn't hit the high notes like back in the day.
I was taken aback by the performances of Deep Purple and DMC (yes Manny DMC=rapper)

I watched School of Rock this a.m. and something Jack Black's character says in the movie fit with the theme of Live 8 perfectly: 'One performance can change the world.' I'll admit I'm doubtful that one performance can eradicate worldwide hunger but I think that is the easier way out is to take the apathetic stance that events like these are a source of enjoyment more than raising awareness. I've heard that Geldhoff is abrasive and has no business pressuring the leaders of the G-8 countries to make debt cancellation a first priority. Perhaps my logic may be faulty here but NASA has spent billions (or trillions) on space travel. We all spend billions on things for our own pleasure and entertainment. Arguments that there are better ways for governments and the general public to spend money are always hovering near the surface.
Yes people like to get together and have fun and many were doing just that. But I like to think that some were actually touched by the events of the day and that at some level - whether that be child sponsorship or missions trips to build homes or bring medication to the people - some people will be inspired or compelled to do their part to make a difference.
And in the time its taken me to write this entry, I'm estimating that about 400 hundred Africans have died of starvation. And yet, my life goes on with a full stomach I might add.