Stars sing "Across The Universe" for tsunami benefit

Gwen Stefani , Pink, Steven Tyler, Elton John , Josh Groban , Rod Stewart , and Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne are among the artists lending their voices to a rendition of Eric Clapton's "Tears In Heaven." MTV.com reports that Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne are organizing the single, which will benefit victims of the recent Asian tsunami, with proceeds going to the Disasters Emergency Committee's Tsunami Earthquake Appeal.

The recording sessions will begin this week at Whitfield Street Studios in London, where Velvet Revolver, Elton and Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli will record their vocals. Next week, Stewart, the Osbournes, Groban and Robbie Williams will lay down their parts in Los Angeles. Pink is scheduled to record in New York, and Tyler will do his part from Boston.

Sharon and American Idol judge Simon Cowell will produce the single.

Clapton wrote "Tears in Heaven" after the death of his 4-year-old son in 1991.

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Elton John, Steven Tyler Among Those Set For 'We Are Family' Benefit Recording

09/20/2001 1:00 PM, LAUNCH
Bruce Simon

(9/20/01, 1 p.m. ET) -- Stars from all walks of the music and entertainment industries will gather this weekend in recording studios in New York and Los Angeles to work on an updated version of the 1979 Sister Sledge hit "We Are Family" that will benefit the victims of last week's terror attack at the World Trade Center in New York City.

Rockers including Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Elton John, Mick Jones of Foreigner, Sheryl Crow, the members of Sugar Ray, and Matchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas; hip-hoppers including Ice Cube, **Run-D.M.C.**, Busta Rhymes, and Russell Simmons; classic soul singers Sister Sledge, Dionne Warwick, Roberta Flack, and Diana Ross; and pop stars like Monica, Britney Spears, and the members of *NSYNC are all expected to share microphone time under the watchful eye of guitarist and producer Nile Rodgers, who wrote, produced, and arranged the original version along with the late Bernard Edwards.

Also expected at the sessions are tennis greats Andre Agassi and John McEnroe, actors **Kevin Bacon**, Susan Lucci, Macaulay Culkin, Taye Diggs, Vanessa Williams, and Joan Rivers, and singers Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osborne, and Seal, among others.

-- Bruce Simon, New York

Entertainment - Rolling Stone - updated 9:30 PM ET Sep 21

"Sugar Ray, Reed Join Family

Former Chic member Nile Rodgers is putting together a cast of musicians and actors to take part in a rendition the Rogers-penned 1979 Sister Sledge hit "We Are Family" as a response to recent backlash against the Arab and Muslim communities in the United States after last week's terrorist attacks. Lou Reed, Kenny G, Cyndi Lauper , Angie Martinez, Angie Stone, Joan Osborne, Sugar Ray and Run-D.M.C. are just a few of the musicians who will participate in the New York recording session of the song, which takes place on September 22nd. Russell Simmons, Sophie B. Hawkins , the Pointer Sisters and members of Sister Sledge are among the Los Angeles contributors, who will record on September 23rd.
"We Are Family," the song as well as a video, will be produced by Nile Rodgers, while Spike Lee will direct a clip for the song. Danny Schechter, a documentary director, will produce a film about the recording session.

Proceeds from the song, which will be released by Tommy Boy, will go towards non-profit organizations working towards defending minorities from racial attacks as well as media and educational programs promoting tolerance. Additional funds will be earmarked for initiatives offering information about the events what people can do to contribute to the relief efforts. "
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/rolls/20010921/en/sugar_ray_reed_join_family_1.html