A Gift Of Song – the Music for UNICEF Concert

Behind the scenes at the tapping of A Gift Of Song – the Music for UNICEF Concert: Donna Summer made Rita Coolidge look like a broomstick in an edited-to-shreds duet of You’ve Got A Friend, and NBC showed the fanny–wiggling Rod Stewart and Andy Gibb from only the waist up. A high point of the taping that didn’t make it into the telecast was an otherworldly duet with Stewart and Kris Kristofferson singing Tonight’s The Night and Me And Bobby McGee. “We hated to drop that from the show,” said host David Frost, but there just wasn’t enough time.”

Elton John had cancelled out several days before – “He just didn’t have a song to perform that he felt strongly about,” said a spokesman – but he may co-write the song he promised with Bernie Taupin when Taupin finishes a promo tour with current song-writing partner Alice Cooper. Fleetwood Mac declined to appear, but will donate Stevie Nicks’ Beautiful Child from the double album the group has slated for a Summer release.

Only a few of the performers showed up for a staid post-concert party. ABBA’s blonds (Björn and Anna) and brunettes (Benny and Anni-Frid) sipped champagne with Olivia Newton-John, later joining her to dance at Studio 54. Transcribed for ABBA World

Rolling Stone (Australian Edition) · 22 February 1979 (Page 22)

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