Steve Forbert, Bettye LaVette, more rally for 31st annual John Lennon tribute
Tara Hall / October 27, 2011
Steve Forbert, Bettye LaVette and Lucy Kaplansky are just a few of the musicians who will perform at the 31st annual John Lennon Tribute in December.
The event, which takes place Dec. 10 at New York City's Le Poisson Rouge, will feature an array of artists covering Lennon classics. The lineup also includes Rich Pagano, Richard Barone and first timers Toshi Reagon and Chrissi Poland.
"30th Annual John Lennon Tribute, Live from the Beacon Theatre NYC," a collection of live performances from last November's tribute concert, hits iTunes, Amazon and other online music retailers Nov. 15. That effort features The Kennedys ("And Your Bird Can Sing"), Alejandro Escovedo ("Help!"), Joan Osborne ("Hey Bulldog"), Aimee Mann ("Jealous Guy") and Jackson Browne ("You've Got To Hide Your Love Away"), among others.
Proceeds from album will benefit the Japanese Red Cross for its continued relief efforts following the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country earlier this year.
"John has always been a hero of mine," Martin Sexton explained in a press release, "not only for his musical brilliance, but for his life-long commitment to bringing peace and light into the world." Sexton's cover of Lennon's "Working Class Hero" can be found on the forthcoming tribute release.