The Simple Truth: A Concert for Kurdish Refugees
The Simple Truth: A Concert for Kurdish Refugees was a 1991 fundraising concert in support of Kurdish Refugees after the Gulf War.[1][2][3] The concert was produced by Tony Hollingsworth,[4] with Jeffrey Archer also involved.[5] It was staged in London, Amsterdam, Philadelphia and Sydney, and broadcast on television in 36 countries. During the concert, $15 million in donations were collected.[6]
Nearly 12,000 people attended the concert at Wembley Arena in London, including the then Prime Minister John Major and Princess Diana.[7][8]
The amount of money raised by the concert is uncertain. At a press conference on 19 June 1991 a figure of £57 million was stated, though this consisted mainly of aid offered by overseas governments. An investigation found that the concert and its associated appeal had raised £3 million, and Kurdish groups said that around £250,000 had been received by people in Iraq.[9] Allegations concerning the misappropriation of funds were not substantiated.[10]
Featured artists
[edit]- Beverley Craven
- Chris de Burgh[5]
- Gloria Estefan[9]
- Peter Gabriel
- Gypsy Kings
- Hall & Oates
- MC Hammer
- Whitney Houston
- Lavine Hudson
- INXS
- Tom Jones
- Alison Moyet
- New Kids on the Block
- Sinead O’Connor
- Alexander O’Neal
- Shiven Perwer
- Ryuichi Sakamoto
- Paul Simon[5]
- Snap!
- Lisa Stansfield
- Rod Stewart[9]
- Sting[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Schmidt, William E. (1991-05-13). "AFTER THE WAR; Latest Rock-Star Relief Effort Benefits the Kurds". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
- ^ "Raising relief money for the Kurds". The Dispatch. Vol. 110, no. 317. Lexington, NC. 13 May 1991. p. 2A. Retrieved 2021-04-10 – via Google News Archive Search.
- ^ "Hollywood can do more for Kurdistan". www.kurdistan24.net. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
- ^ "Tony Hollingsworth | The Simple Truth: A Concert for Kurdish Refugees". tonyhollingsworth.com. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
- ^ a b c d Judd, Terri (17 August 2001). "Accounts reveal Archer raised £1m for Kurds". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
- ^ "The Simple Truth: A Concert for Kurdish Refugees | THE LISTEN CAMPAIGN". listencampaign.com. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
- ^ "Pop Stars Sing To Raise Money For Iraqi Kurds". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
- ^ "Reuters Archive Licensing". Reuters Archive Licensing. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
- ^ a b c Matthew Tempest, Matthew (16 August 2001). "Archer fraud allegations: the simple truth". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
- ^ Morris, Steven (24 November 2001). "Archer rebuked over cash for charity". The Guardian.