Lupe Fiasco
Photo: MTV News

• Lupe Fiasco
• Ben Harper
• Amy Winehouse
• Juliette & the Licks
• Kings Of Leon

John Lennon
Photo: Capitol

Although John Lennon was a man of peace, many of his songs were created during wartime — the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the culture war. Still, his words of tolerance and love reflected with hope and faith in the goodness of mankind, no matter how rotten it appeared at any given moment.

When Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, and producer Ken Ehrlich planned a benefit concert to pay tribute to the former Beatle, they intended to use the proceeds to fight for gun control and help end youth violence — a noble cause to commemorate the noted pacifist (see "Lennon Tribute To Air Live From NYC; Dave Matthews, More Sign On"). "Come Together: A Night for John Lennon" was to take place September 20 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, Lennon's adopted home and the city in which he was assassinated.

When terrorists flew two Boeing 767 airplanes into the twin towers September 11, however, demolishing the buildings and killing thousands, the date, name and focus of the benefit changed.

"He had a prophetic ability to be way ahead of most of us," actor Kevin Spacey said backstage after Tuesday night's "Come Together: A Night for John Lennon's Words & Music," which was broadcast live on TNT and the WB. Spacey hosted the event and even sang a dramatic version of Lennon's "Mind Games."

While the event featured stars from past eras — Lou Reed performed a punk-rock version of "Jealous Guy" and Cyndi Lauper sang "Strawberry Fields Forever" from Central Park's Strawberry Fields garden — most of the evening's entertainers — including Dave Matthews, Stone Temple Pilots, Marc Anthony, Alanis Morissette, Shaggy, Craig David, Yolanda Adams and Shelby Lynne — were thoroughly contemporary.

"We were very concerned about having stars that represent this generation, because I wanted to make sure we can communicate to the young," Ono said from the press room shortly before showtime. She added that the evening's message took on extra urgency after September 11. "When the attack happened, I was really in a shock, just like I was in a shock when John passed away," she said. "It was so sudden. It reminded me very strongly of that day. I think most of us are still in shock. So it was very important for us to do this show in New York City."

The artists' mixed moods of melancholy and elation carried through the event. Contemporary gospel vocalist Yolanda Adams, who opened the show with a heartfelt version of "Imagine" backed by keyboardist (and Beatles sideman) Billy Preston, described the atmosphere.

"These are all wonderful performers, so there's a lot of love," she said. "But we are all setting into the fact that a lot of people's loved ones are still lost and missing, so it was pretty somber."

The evening was a musical eye-opener for some artists. Twenty-year-old English R&B heartthrob Craig David, for example, who sang a sultry version of "Come Together," acquired a solid appreciation of Lennon's craft.

"It's massively valuable to understand how he structured harmonies," David said. "His music was catchy and he was a great songwriter lyrically."

Dancehall pop star Shaggy, who closed the night with "Give Peace a Chance," was even more moved by Lennon's words.

"I looked at them closely for the first time and was like, 'That brother was deep,'" he said. "It saddens me, because I listen to music today and there's nothing like that. Everybody's talking about bling-bling and the artists are driving cars they don't own and houses they ain't finished paying for yet in these videos. There's no substance in music. It's so driven by how high some chick's miniskirt is or how low her cleavage is. You gotta give it to John Lennon. He believed in what he believed in whether you cared or not."

The tribute's highlights included Dave Matthews performing a gripping solo acoustic rendition of "In My Life," Stone Temple Pilots rocking out a flamboyant and gravel-voiced version of "Revolution," Alanis Morissette singing the melancholy "Dear Prudence" and Natalie Merchant playing a ruminative "Nowhere Man." Lennon's son Sean was joined by Rufus Wainwright and Robert Schwartzman for "This Boy," and by Moby and Wainwright for "Across the Universe."

"His political ideas, his social ideas, his ideas about love and the brotherhood of mankind are universal," said Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland. "His music continues to be relevant no matter what decade it is. Those ideas will continue to be important so long as people feel the love he spoke about."

For more information on and audience reaction to the attacks, including tips on how you can help, see "9.11.01: Moving Forward".

• John Lennon
• Lou Reed
• Stone Temple Pilots
• Dave Matthews Band
• Dave Matthews

Action Figure Party's<BR>Greg Kurstin
Photo: Blue Thumb Records

Whoever you are, Greg Kurstin wants to jam with you.

The multi-instrumentalist of the mid-'90s modern rock trio Geggy Tah made a lot of friends en route to buzz bins with the ubiquitous single "Whoever You Are" — and they're all part of Kurstin's new Action Figure Party jazz collective.

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, Sean Lennon, Cibo Matto's Miho Hatori, Dr. Dre and Eminem bassist Mike Elizondo, Buckcherry guitarist Yogi and Incubus drummer Jose Pasillas are just some of the musicians featured on Action Figure Party's self-titled debut album, due May 22.

"Bringing these amazing musicians together and writing music for this CD was an incredible experience," Kurstin said. "When I recorded the album I wanted to create a vibe that will suck you in and put you in another zone." Action Figure Party is a showcase of Kurstin and his collaborators' rock, hip-hop, dub and soul influences — all smothered over a layer of funky jazz.

"I would love to expose this eclectic space-groove-jazz to people who might not ever listen to a jazz record," Kurstin said.

Action Figure Party came together from a variety of relationships. Kurstin met Lennon, who plays turntables on two tracks, and Hitori, who sings on another, when Geggy Tah toured with Cibo Matto. He met percussionist Yuval Gabay, who plays on three tracks, on tour with the now defunct Soul Coughing.

Kurstin is a veteran of the Los Angeles music scene (he played keyboards with Dweezil Zappa when he was 12) and has played with several artists around town. He played keyboards on the Chili Peppers' Californication, and convinced Flea to return the favor on bass on two tracks from Action Figure Party. Yogi, who plays guitar on seven of the album's 12 songs, including the explosive leadoff tune, "Everybody Ready," went to high school with Kurstin.

"My musical background is pretty diverse," said Kurstin, who also spent time in New York City studying with Jaki Byard, Charles Mingus' pianist. While he was with Geggy Tah, Kurstin was also performing with innovative vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson. "I've always been juggling the two until they collided into the music of Action Figure Party." Other guests on the upcoming album include drummer Brian Reitzell (Air, Redd Kross), trombonist Gabrial McNair (No Doubt),  saxophonist and trombonist David Ralicke (Beck), violinist and bassist Daniel Shulman (Garbage, Run-D.M.C., Warren G.), percussionist Gary Novak (Alanis Morissette, Chick Corea), bassist Fima Ephron (Walter Becker) and percussionist John Molo (Bruce Hornsby).

"Many of these folks come in and play at different shows also," Kurstin said. "It's always a surprise, even for me." An Action Figure Party tour is in the works for the summer, though no dates have been announced.

• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Sean Lennon
• Buckcherry
• Incubus

Soulfly, the acclaimed metal outfit that rose from the ashes of frontman Max Cavalera's split with Sepultura, is back in the studio and is getting help from some unlikely sources.

• Sean Lennon
• Soulfly

Perry Farrell continues to work on a new solo album, but he will take a break from the project next week to participate in a benefit show for the Jubilee 2000 program being held at the House of Blues in Los Angeles on June 14.

• Cibo Matto
• Perry Farrell
• Sean Lennon

Former A Tribe Called Quest frontman Q-Tip, Sean Lennon, and director Spike Lee are among the famous faces that recently helped cut a public service announcement for War Child USA, an organization currently raising funds for the refugees of the Kosovo crisis.

• Sean Lennon
• Q-Tip
• A Tribe Called Quest

After garnering (mostly) favorable critical reviews for his 1998 solo debut, "Into the Sun," famous progeny Sean Lennon is getting ready to head out on the road as part of Cibo Matto, the group in which he plays bass.

• Sean Lennon

Coming almost five months after the release of his newest album, "5," Lenny Kravitz has finally announced plans for a fall tour -- which will bring the vintage rocker back to U.S stages for the first time since the 1996 H.O.R.D.E festival.

For the upcoming tour, Kravitz has already tapped Ozomatli, fresh off a run at this year's Warped fest, to open the shows from September 12 to 23. After that, the equally retro-friendly Sean Lennon has secured the opening gig until October 4.

The itinerary for Lenny Kravitz's fall tour of the U.S.:

• 9/13 - Seattle, WA @ Paramount
• 9/15 - Berkeley, CA @ Community
• 9/16 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theater
• 9/18 - San Diego, CA @ Remack
• 9/19 - Phoenix, AZ @ Sports Complex
• 9/20 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint
• 9/23 - Dallas, TX @ Bronco Bowl
• 9/25 - Austin, TX @ Music Hall
• 9/26 - New Orleans, LA @ Marconi Meadows
• 9/27 - Houston, TX @ Theatre at Bayou
• 9/29 - Oxford, MS @ Tad Smith Coliseum
• 10/3 - Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom
• 10/4 - Chicago, IL @ The Aragon Ballroom
• 10/6 - Indianapolis, ID @ Murat Theater
• 10/7 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
• 10/9 - Detroit, MI @ State Theater
• 10/11 - Cleveland, OH@ Lakewood Civic Auditorium
• 10/13 - Cincinnati, OH @ Taft Theater
• 10/16 - Boston, MA @ Orpheum
• 10/17 - Lewinston, ME @ Grey Cage
• 10/22 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
• 10/24 - New York, NY @ Roseland

• Lenny Kravitz
• Sean Lennon
• Ozomatli

The recently-reformed landmark L.A. punk outfit X has finally decided on a plan of action for this summer, and it includes dates with Pearl Jam, Sean Lennon, and this summer's Guinness Fleadh tour.

According to the band's manager, X has been tapped to open a string of dates for Pearl Jam that so far includes Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Portland in mid-July. The X camp also says that it has been invited to open Pearl Jam dates in Vancouver and PJ's hometown of Seattle.

Spokespeople for Pearl Jam were not immediately available to either confirm or deny the news.

X will also be packing its bags and heading out on this summer's Guinness Fleadh tour, which includes dates in New York (6/14), Chicago (6/20), and San Jose, California (6/28). When X graces the stage for the New York Fleadh date, the band will be sandwiched between Yo La Tengo and Shane McGowan on a bill that also includes Los Lobos, Wilco, the Indigo Girls, and more.

Spokespeople for X also say that the band will be sharing a bill with Sean Lennon at Washington, D.C.'s 9:30 Club this summer, but Lennon's camp could not confirm the show. X will also play Irvine, California's annual Hootenanny Festival on July 4 and 5 with Big Sandy & His Fly Rite Boys and Wayne the Train Hancock.

• Sean Lennon
• Pearl Jam
• X

It goes without saying that when Sean Lennon, the youngest son of rock legend and Beatle John Lennon, releases his solo debut album, "Into the Sun" next week that he'll face a very tough role to live up to.

None of which seems to bother Sean all that much, and in an interview with MTV News, the part-time Cibo Matto bassist compared his position with that of another progeny of a famous musician, Jakob Dylan.

"His dad's the greatest songwriter of all time," Lennon said, "but now kids in high school don't even know. They think of Bob Dylan as Jakob's dad, which is pretty incredible. I think I'm going in a different direction. I'm trying just to establish myself musically and start with a smaller fan base."

"I don't think my album is going to explode like the Wallflowers album did," he continued,

"For me it's really important to kind of start off slowly." Lennon said. "In fact, the Wallflowers, their first album wasn't the one that hit, so I think that's what made it easier for him too, for Jakob, was that his career built slowly, so I want to do that too" [500k Audio].

As we previously reported (see "Wallflowers Added To Tibetan Concert ..."), both Sean Lennon and the Wallflowers will play at this year's Tibetan Freedom Concert on June 14 at Washington, D.C.

In related news, Jakob and the Wallflowers are scheduled to perform along with Aussie songstress Natalie Imbruglia at this year's MTV Movie Awards, which will air on June 4 at 9 p.m.

• Bob Dylan
• Sean Lennon
• The Wallflowers

2006: The Best of Studio Photos

• Lil Jon
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• Kelis
• Beck
• Nelly Furtado

MTV.com Exclusive: Sean Lennon Photos 08.21.2006

• Sean Lennon