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Press Releases | |
July 13, 1999
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Make All For The Sea Concert Another SuccessOver $1 Million Raised for Southampton College Marine Science Scholarships
Contact:
Jane Finalborgo
Joe Dionisio
(516) 287 8313
Fax: (516) 283 4081Southampton, NY -- Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, who headlined the ninth All For The Sea benefit concert at Southampton College of Long Island University on July 12, delighted a crowd in excess of 8,000, and raised over $1 million for marine science scholarships.
The net proceeds broke the mark set in the summer of 1998 by Rod Stewart. Last night's show also set records for highest VIP attendance (1500) and alumni ticket sales (1100). With nine concerts in the past eight years, All For The Sea has raised more than $3 million.
"We would like to thank all those in the College and in the community who helped make last night's benefit another tremendous success," said Tim Bishop, Southampton College provost.
On the stage to introduce Petty was College Chancellor Robert F.X. Sillerman, who co-chaired the benefit with his wife, Laura Baudo Sillerman, and Ron Perelman, chairman of MacAndrews & Forbes. Sillerman thanked the crowd for supporting the marine science students who help maintain the pristine environment on Long Island's East End.
Petty and the Heartbreakers performed hits from their three-decade career, and "Free Girl Now," from their new Warner Bros. CD, Echo.
During the two-hour performance, Petty invited more than a dozen concert-goers to join him on-stage for his hit, "It's Good to Be King." They included Southampton residents Meghan Bishop, Jeremy Essay, David Gosiewski, Roxanne Koster and Kevin McGowin.
Even light rain near the close of the show did not dampen the spirits of the crowd, who enjoyed an encore of "Free Fallin'," and two cover songs, "Gloria" and "Call Me The Breeze." During "Gloria," Petty improvised a fitting lyric: "I got me a gig in The Hamptons!"
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers are the ninth All For The Sea act in the last eight years, because two concerts took place in 1996.
Previous performers were Crosby, Stills & Nash (1992), Tina Turner (1993), Foreigner and the Doobie Brothers (1994), Tony Bennett (1995), The Allman Brothers (1996), Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band (1996), James Taylor (1997) and Rod Stewart (1998).
The marine and environmental sciences programs at Southampton College are acclaimed for their excellence and have produced 34 Fulbright Scholars, one Marshall Scholar and one Udall Scholar in the last 24 years.
During a pre-concert party in a giant stage-side tent, VIPs enjoyed complimentary fare donated by the East End's finest caterers and restaurants.
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