LIFEbeat, the Music Industry Fights AIDS
by Debra (dfs915@hanson.net)

By now, most of us know that Hanson are confirmed to play an acoustic set at a benefit for LIFEbeat on June 19. But what exactly IS LIFEbeat? What does LIFEbeat do, and who will this event actually benefit?

LIFEbeat's full name is "LIFEbeat, the Music Industry Fights AIDS". It is a non-profit organization which is dedicated to using the talents of musical artists to help educate people on HIV and AIDS prevention.

LIFEbeat was the idea of music manager/producer Bob Caviano. Shortly after the death from AIDS of Queen frontman Freddy Mercury, Caviano wrote an editorial in Billboard in which he stated: "The music industry (and we are a community) is long overdue in responding to the AIDS epidemic..." His editorial inspired several high-level music executives to band together and create a foundation to battle this disease.

LIFEbeat is that foundation. Unfortunately, Bob Caviano didn't live to see his foundation flourish. He, too, died of AIDS in 1992, just months after LIFEbeat came into being.

To date, LIFEbeat has raised more than seven million dollars for AIDS education. Some of the programs that LIFEbeat has launched are:

Hearts and Voices, which brings top artists to perform at AIDS treatment facilities. Among the artists who have participated are Jewel, Destiny's Child, and the original Broadway cast of Hairspray.

Outreach on National Tours, in which LIFEbeat representatives attend concerts and distribute information to the audience. Currently participating artists and tours include John Mayer/Counting Crows, Lollapalooza, and Vans Warped tour.

Special events, such as the concert Hanson will be playing on June 19 at the Henry Fonda Theatre. These concerts tend to feature top acts. Last August, LIFEbeat celebrated their tenth anniversary with a show at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City featuring Sugarcult, Pete Yorn, Jimmy Eat World, and The Hives.

Hanson's participation in the LIFEbeat benefit is a good thing in so many ways. For a few of us, it will give a chance to finally see the band we love again, live and in person and making beautiful music. For most of us, we can look forward to reading the reviews of this show. For Hanson, and for a lot of people out there who are not yet Hanson fans, this will be a means of getting the band some much-needed exposure. And this will also benefit a very worthy cause.

Works Cited

Hoffman, Wayne. AIDS & The Music Industry: Caring At A Crossroads. Billboard. November 10, 2001. 113:45. p. 5-8.

LIFEbeat, the Music Industry Fights AIDS. http://www.lifebeat.org/home/index.jsp