Product Description

The unprecedented broadcast of the live, star-studded, two-hour entertainment spectacular America: A Tribute to Heroes on Friday, September 21, 2001, served to both raise money for the victims of the September 11 tragedy and to bring our nation together to salute the American spirit. All net proceeds of this DVD will be donated to the United Way's September 11th Fund. Songs: My City of Ruin (Bruce Springsteen), Love's in Need of Love Today (Stevie Wonder featuring Take 6), Walk On (U2), There Will Come a Day (Faith Hill), I Won't Back Down (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Hero (Enrique Iglesias), Imagine (Neil Young), Someday We'll All Be Free (Alicia Keys), Wish You Were Here (Limp Bizkit with John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls), New York State of Mind (Billy Joel), I Believe in Love (Dixie Chicks), Everyday (Dave Matthews), Redemption Song (Wyclef Jean), Hero (Mariah Carey), Livin' on a Prayer (Bon Jovi), Safe and Sound (Sheryl Crow), Fragile (Sting), The Long Road (Eddie Vedder), Bridge Over Troubled Water (Paul Simon), God Bless America (Celine Dion), America the Beautiful (Willie Nelson). 120 minutes.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29575 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-12-04
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Color, Compilation, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: German, English, French, Italian, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 120 minutes

Amazon.com
Tribute albums and concerts come and go, but America: A Tribute to Heroes may well stand the test of time. Recorded just 10 days after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the two-hour telethon has an appropriately somber tone; it's also refreshingly unpretentious and ego-free, with no audience and no onscreen identification of the musical artists or the actors and others who speak between songs. There are some passionate and moving performances by Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Limp Bizkit and friends, Neil Young (the much-praised "Imagine"), and several more, easily eclipsing the couple of outright turkeys (the overwrought theatrics of Enrique Iglesias and Mariah Carey). To watch the program now, as the horror may have started to fade, is to be reminded of the extraordinary emotions the tragic events of 9/11 aroused; and while pop music may be superfluous in the big picture, its power to inspire and perhaps even heal is something to behold. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews

Instant Media Classic!
I saw this with a group of ten or so friends when it originally aired. We sat there in awe for two hours. I think it was the power of the people who spoke and of those who performed. The DVD was on my wish list nearly immediately after. Their selection of songs, was nearly impeccable. I didn't care for Iglesias mostly because it was more a love song, but maybe it was appropriate to others. The highlights for me were Neil Young doing "Imagine." That alone is worth the admission. Also the appearence of Dennis Franz and Jimmy Smits of "NYPD Blue" standing together like partners again, and talking, appropriately enough, about the cops who risked their lives, and died saving others. Limp Bizkit with Johnny Rzeznik (of Goo Goo Dolls) doing Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" was equally awesome. Fred Durst looked to me like he was talking to us as he sang many of the lyrics. The Boss, Billy Joel, Eddie Vedder (with Neil Young on the organ), Sheryl Crow, Bon Jovi (a spectacular rendition of "Livin' on a Prayer") round out the cream of the crop musically. Superb speeches by Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Jim Carrey, Will Smith and Ali, and many more strike a chord both uplifting, and I think heart-breaking at times. It closes out with awesome speeches by Robert DeNiro (wow!) and Clint Eastwoood (wow! wow!) along with a performance of "God Bless America" by Celine Dion and a moving performance of "America the Beautiful" by Willie Nelson, with backup by everyone present. WOW! is the least I can think of to describe it as a whole. GOD BLESS the USA!

Hands down the best telethon concert ever
I bought "A Tribute to Heroes" on DVD and CD. I didn't have to stand in line for two hours, but I would have just to have this great concert.
I just rewatched it again, still the best concert I ever saw on TV. My only complaint is Enrique Iglesias, the first 30 seconds of his song was too mushy and out of character for the rest of the show -- loser. Regardless, I am still amazed at the high quality and diversity of the rest of the show, everything else was 110% talent. When the "worst" performance (other than Iglesias) is Paul Simon doing "Bridge Over Troubled Water" you know you have winner collection. Actually, Simon missed out on my ranking only because he was slightly off key - but who really cares? the emotion still came through - a winner.

Best songs, Springsteen "My City of Ruin" (fantastic!), Neil Young "Imagine" (best choice for a song), Faith Hill "There Will Come a Day" (check out the lyrics you Christians!), Goo Goo Dolls with others "Wish You Were Here" (a killer acoustic version of Pink Floyd with violin?!), Celine Dion (of course) and many more.

Most improved song on the second listen is Tom Petty "I Won't Back Down" -- I was disappointed the first time around because of a certain lack of "punch". I better appreciated the toned down approach on the second listen, although Petty also still gets my vote for "weirdest performance" with Sheryl Crow a close second place in that category. And of course you have great performances by Billy Joel, Dixie Chicks, Eddie Vedder, Dave Matthews, Sting and Wyclef Jean (who wins the Bob Marley sound-alike contest).

Well, what else can I say, I really liked this show. I'll just say it seemed honest, whatever that means. I liked the fact that I didn't know many of these artists and each performance was heartfelt. They say this year is one of the absolute worst ever for movies. Just when it seems like Hollywood "product" has once again triumphed over "quality" you get a concert like this one. Almost restores your faith in the lost art of "artistry" for the sake of art. At the very least it most certainly restored my faith in Americans.

Spectacular!
I missed the original telethon airing, because I was one of the operators accepting donations for the United Way September 11th Fund. I am proud to now be able to own the DVD release, and further contribute, as proceeds of the DVD sale go to the Fund. This is not just an awesome DVD simply because so many great entertainers offered their time to help, but also because so many people responded and offered assistance. The true spirit of America can be seen here. Take home a piece of American history.

Dedicated to those lost in the tragedy of September 11th, 2001.