No Doubt, R.E.M. and others will honor U2 singer Bono at a Valentine’s Day fund-raising concert called Love Rocks: Celebrating the Biggest Hearts in Entertainment. Organized by the 60-year-old Entertainment Industry Foundation, the show will pay tribute to the Irish rocker for his widespread philanthropy and will also serve as the official launch of EIF’s National Cardiovascular Research Initiative.
Comedian Drew Carey will host the evening, and Ray Romano and Kevin Nealon will make guest appearances at the show, which will be held at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on February 14.
EIF is launching its National Cardiovascular Research Initiative to raise awareness of and funds for cardiovascular disease, which the organization said is the leading cause of death in America.
Representing the collective philanthropy of the entertainment industry, EIF has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars and provided volunteer workers to support critical charitable initiatives, a spokesperson said.
Bono is an outspoken activist for debt relief in Third World nations and for increased funding to fight AIDS and poverty in Africa. He recently organized Artists Against AIDS Worldwide and their “What’s Going On” benefit single.
Before performing at the Super Bowl on Sunday with U2, Bono met with politicians, business leaders and activists in West Virginia and New York, where he called for wealthy nations to cancel more of the poorest countries’ debt while increasing aid and removing trade barriers.
“Part of winning the war on terrorism is winning the war on poverty,” Bono said in a statement. “We’ve had the wakeup call. If we stand by and watch this continent go up in flames, the price won’t be paid solely in African lives. Let’s move on supporting governments who want the best for their people and cancel more debt, give more aid and change trade rules to help Africa help itself.”
