There’s a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in

by Rick Johansen

If you have been thinking, as I have been thinking, that the USA is in an unimaginably dark place, with its citizens having collectively lost their minds, then, as Ralph McTell might have said, let me show you something to make you change your mind. Following the re-election of Donald Trump to the presidency, one might be forgiven for thinking the USA was fucked and fucked for good. Every headline emerging from the fascist-tinged game show host filled me with gloom. Then, on Thursday evening, an event called Fire Aid took place in two venues in Los Angeles.  Maybe there is hope after all?

The January Southern California wildfires have so far killed at least 29 people, forced more than 200,000 to evacuate their homes and destroyed or damaged more than 18,000 structures. Two days ago, the world of music and entertainment came together to help by holding a fundraising concert. The whole show can be viewed here.

Full disclosure: I have now watched all of it and having not properly prepared myself, it was six hours of mixed emotions. There were appearances by those who have lost everything to the fires, heroic fire-fighters who risked their lives to save people and properties, as well as other public sector workers and volunteers; even prisoners from local jails were temporary freed to help contain the blaze and help with the displacement of vast numbers of people. The sheer madness of the new Trump regime was forgotten for a while as good people did good things for no reward.

I do not know where to begin in trying to describe what the show was like, but honestly, I didn’t see a bad act. Legends like Graham Nash and Stephen Stills, Anderson .Paak, Joni Mitchell, Dr Dre, John Fogerty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, Stevie Nicks, the survivors of Nirvana and so many more performed brilliantly. Few were better than Rod Stewart, who I mistakenly wrote off many years ago, as he addressed the audience by saying he was going to play a new song. “Not!” he added, storming into a stellar Maggie May. And near the end, Stevie Wonder joined in, reminding us, as if we needed reminding, what an incredible talent he still is. I feared his voice might break at the start, but instead it grew in intensity. It was peak Stevie, with added Flea from the Chilis on bass and Sting on backing vocals. What do you do at a time like that? Cry your eyes out? Full disclosure again: I did. I was in bits. The hate that’s been all too prevalent since the election didn’t reach the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome.

Kamala Harris,the defeated Democrat presidential candidate showed up with her husband, Doug Emhoff, and received a warm and genuine ovation from the crowd. I could only think, if only. Obviously, there was no sign of Trump or anyone from his administration. They would have been too busy spreading more hate and lies. All I could sense at the two venues was great music and love.

Clearly, the citizens of Southern California were in the thoughts of decent Americans everywhere, with $60 million raised for the fire relief efforts. I have no idea of the precise impact that sum will have given the sheer size of the disaster, but frankly I am in total awe.

There was no show-boating from anyone. No obvious egos on display, just respect, a willingness to help and, I’ll say it again, love. And I don’t apologise for using the word love yet again, because as Hal David and Burt Bacharach said, what the world needs now is love sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of. Frankly, dear reader, if you don’t agree with that sentiment you’re probably reading the wrong blog and maybe you should check out the right wing gutter press and find the hate you really want?

There is a crack in everything“, said Leonard Cohen. “That’s how the light gets in.” The light shone on Southern California on 31st January and the whole world is better off for it.

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