“When I heard that some of my friends were rallying to do a series of concerts to help raise funds and awareness, to help address the basic needs of food, shelter and medical care, I wanted to help, in whatever way I could.”
That was how Robert Plant first got involved with the Lampedusa Tour, an 11-show benefit show for refugees, along with headliners Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, and the Milk Carton Kids with special performances by Joan Baez.
Says Plant, “When I watch the news and see people from these places being displaced by hatred and ignorance, I know that these people are just like you and me. All they want is to live in peace and have their children grow up loved, fed and educated. That seems a million miles away for many people at the moment.”
The concert series aims to raise awareness and funds for the international crisis. All proceeds will go towards the Jesuit Refugee Service’s Global Education Initiative, which provides aid to displaced individuals in 38 countries across the globe. It’s even endorsed by Pope Francis and hopes to serve 240,000 refugees by 2020, with the help of fundraising campaigns like the Lampedusa Tour.
Even though the group is religious, Plant says his intentions with performing are secular. His main hope? “That my voice, along with my friends, helps bend the arc of the universe a little more toward the loving and helps with the work of getting the basic essentials of life to those who are without.”
For dates and tickets, go to jrsusa.org.
“Robert Plant” photo: Phil King