Show Of Peace Official

Las Vegas-based producer Rick Garson held a press conference Jan. 13 to officially announce the Show of Peace concert, which will take place “in front of” the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing April 17.

Half of any money raised for the concert will go to global projects that promote peace and protect the environment. Admission will be free to the 50,000 people who attend and the concert will be broadcast live worldwide.

Rock legend Jimmy Page joined Garson at the press conference and had already announced himself that he would participate. Guitarist Orianthi was also there.

But while Garson has posted a list of other major world acts who were “invited” to the concert, it seemed he had yet to confirm their participation.

Given the problems that many Western artists have experienced getting concerts off the ground in China, some reporters wondered if the intended stars will actually show up.

“It won’t be a problem,” Garson said. “We’re doing it to raise global awareness of what good is coming out of China.” He added that the government sees it as advancing a new image of China. In any event, the authorities have already given their permission for the event.

Fuel for doubters was fed by the China Music Radar Web site two days later when it stated it had written confirmation that two of the acts who Garson mentioned might appear – Black Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga – in fact would not be coming.

“Lady Gaga’s people have never even heard of Rick Garson and the Show of Peace,” CMR reported.

For one thing, Lady Gaga is scheduled to perform in Yokohama on the same day the Show of Peace is scheduled to take place. Garson also mentioned 50 Cent, whom CMR thought would be an unlikely participant given that he is a “self-confessed crack dealer” and that his songs were not likely to “pass the censors.”

Some media outlets erroneously reported that Aerosmith would be performing at the concert without Steven Tyler. A spokesman for the group later clarified on the Aerosmith Web site that this was not the case.

Joe Perry would be participating in the concert, but as a solo act. At the press conference Garson said that Perry and fellow Aerosmith member Joey Kramer would play.