Musicians talk shop after UNICEF bash
The Bee Gees, Earth, Wind and Fire, Abba, and Olivia Newton-John were among the UNICEF founder-composers who partied well into the Manhattan night after their recent 30-minute special on NBC.
The official party, held at the New York, New York disco just after the conclusion of the telecast, was a dignified affair at which the brothers Gibh (but not Andy) sat with their parents and sipped champagne. Robin Gibb did confirm that Bob Dylan had made inquiries to Barry about producing Dylan’s next album.
Maurice and Verdine White of Earth, Wind and Fire said they had plans for a 10-city. 10-country sweep to be billed as Way of the World tour. Rolling Stone asked if they would adjust their show when they reach the more exotic locales, Verdine said they would not: “Every body loves music we could go to countries where the people are gruntin’ to each other, and the music would get through. They just want to feel good, like anybody.”
David Frost who hosted the show and was escorting Carol Lynley, said a “live” taping of the show on the night before it was aired had run just 21 minutes over the 90 minutes the benefit was alloted, but that he had worked 17 straight hours with his fellow producers to edit and polish the show.
Donna Summer, whose Mimi’s Song and duet with Rita Coolidge on You’ve Got a Friend were among the show’s highlights, did not attend.
Rod Stewart, who had wiggled his fanny almost as energetically as Andy Gibb, and like Andy was seen mostly from the waist up by a worldwide television audience, didn’t make it either.
But Olivia, undaunted by the glass of wine a waiter spilled on her as she walked into the party, stayed up late dancing (along with Abba) at nearby Studio 51.
Elton John who’d been slated to appear on the telecast, canceled 17 days before when he (accor-ing to a spokesman at his label) “just didn’t have a song to perform that he felt strongly about.” Elton had hoped to work with long-time collabora tor Bernie Taupin on the song, but Taupin was busy with a promotional tour for the album he wrote with Alice Cooper. Elton had, however, promised to deed a song he’ll write soon to UNICEF.
Cat Stevens who took a b0w after David Frost introduced him as Yusuf Islam during the taping, was edited out of the program. Stevens, who lives in Rio de Janeiro, took his new name after becoming an adherent of the Muslim faith.
Two days after the tele-cast, the Bee Gees were on Hollywood Boulevard having their star ceremonially implanted in the sidewalk. They planned to head back to Miami to help brother Andy record his next LP.