Live concerts rally round Earth

Dave to play in a band to save the earth.

By Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY

Al Gore realized that music could influence public opinion long before he was in a position to run for national office.

"I remember when I was quite young, and the civil rights movement was beginning, listening to Bob Dylan's Blowin' in the Wind," says the former vice president. "It was unbelievable in its impact. And a lot of the music being written and performed for Live Earth is hopefully going to have the same kind of impact."

Lest you've been in a news-free zone for the past six months, Live Earth is the globe-spanning, star-studded, multimedia event that unfolds on seven continents Saturday. Over 24 hours, eight centerpiece shows will aim to bring further attention to an issue that Gore has made a focal point: the climate crisis, and the need to confront it through political and personal action.

Conceived by producer and entrepreneur Kevin Wall, who was inspired by Gore's Oscar-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth, the environmental extravaganza will kick off in Sydney at about 10 p.m. ET Friday. Concerts are set to follow in Tokyo (midnight), Shanghai (7:30 a.m. Saturday), Hamburg (8 a.m.), London (9:30 a.m.), Johannesburg (1 p.m.), New Jersey (1 p.m.) and Rio de Janeiro (4 p.m.), with artists donating their performing time and all proceeds going to Gore's non-profit Alliance for Climate Protection.

New Jersey's Giants Stadium lineup boasts The Police, Kelly Clarkson, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, the Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Roger Waters, Melissa Etheridge and Bon Jovi, while Madonna, Genesis, John Legend, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Eyed Peas and a reunited Spinal Tap are on the bill at London's Wembley Stadium.