Plight of 2 Tribes in Spotlight : Despite Lagging Sales, Indian Benefit Still On

Promoters of a benefit concert for American Indians scheduled Sunday at the Starlight Amphitheatre in Burbank insisted Friday that the event will go on, even though only about 100 tickets had been sold by Friday and the show’s investors could lose as much as $100,000.

Bob Grad, producer of “Drums Across America,” and several entertainers, including singer Rita Coolidge, said at a press conference on the Starlight stage that raising awareness to the forced ouster of Hopi and Navajo Indians from their native lands was the main objective of the event.

By decree of the courts and Congress, hundreds of Navajos are being forced to leave land the Navajo tribe has occupied for generations near Big Mountain, Ariz., in order to end a dispute with the nearby Hopi tribe. Congress has set a July 6 deadline for the relocation, which is being fought by many of the Navajos and some of the Hopis, who must leave land now designated for the Navajos.

The promoters had hoped to attract 4,000 people to the Starlight in support of the cause. But Grad acknowledged that awareness of Indians’ plight and ticket sales were “a problem at this point.”

Off to Slow Start

World Concerts for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that is staging the daylong concert, have been putting together the show for about seven weeks. But advertisements and ticket sales began little more than a week ago.

Laurie Scott, a former actress who is the the director of World Concerts for Humanity, said she decided not to postpone the event, however, because the two tribes are expected to be relocated by July 6.

“We want to raise that awareness before the relocation date,” she said.

Grad said production costs for the all-day event are about $100,000, most of which had been provided by people around the country with the understanding that they would be paid back if possible.

Grad, who noted that he has a personal stake of $50,000 invested, said those who put up money “knew about the possibility” that they might not make their money back.

“But I know what I’m doing is right, and I am at peace,” he added.

He said he had hoped that the show would raise $135,000 from ticket, button and poster sales. The proceeds had been targeted to go to the Big Mountain Defense Fund, which is waging a legal and public relations war to stop the relocation.

Coolidge, whose parents were part Indian, said of the low advance sale: “I wish I had a bigger following. I wish we had Stevie Wonder, and maybe we will. There could be surprises. But, even if we have only 1,000 people here, it will be 1,000 people who will be made aware of this awful plight.”

Besides Coolidge, the concert is scheduled to feature singers Janis Ian, Richie Havens and Kenny Rankin and comedian Rich Little, with special appearances by Susan Anton, Max Gail and Ted Lange. There also will be specially made videos by Paul McCartney and Elizabeth Taylor. The master of ceremonies will be former MTV personality Nina Blackwood.

Tells of Assurances

Grad said he has received assurances that they will be there, regardless of the turnout, from Little, Anton and other major artists listed to perform during the nine-hour event.

Burbank city officials canceled a concert to benefit Africans last year when promoters were unable to meet city requirements. The event, called “You and Me Because We Care,” had been scheduled for three nights, but the organizers had not booked many of the advertised artists or made attempts to prepare the amphitheater for the show.

Tim Pinch, the manager of the Starlight, said the publicity for the “Drums Across America” has been poor but that he still expects a good show. He said he also hopes to demonstrate that the Starlight is an appropriate arena for large music events.

The facility has been plagued in recent years by poor ticket sales and efforts by city officials to ban acts deemed “disruptive” to the community.