The Simple Truth: A Concert for Kurdish Refugees explained

The Simple Truth: A Concert for Kurdish Refugees was a 1991 fundraising concert in support of Kurdish Refugees after the Gulf War.^{[1] [2] [3]} The concert was produced by Tony Hollingsworth,^[4] with Jeffrey Archer also involved.^[5] It was staged in London, Amsterdam, Philadelphia and Sydney, and broadcast on television in 36 countries. During the concert, $15 million in donations were collected.^[6]

Nearly 12,000 people attended the concert at Wembley Arena in London, including the then Prime Minister John Major and Princess Diana.^{[7] [8]}

The amount of money raised by the concert is uncertain. At a press conference on 19 June 1991 a figure of £57 million was stated, though this consisted mainly of aid offered by overseas governments. An investigation found that the concert and its associated appeal had raised £3 million, and Kurdish groups said that around £250,000 had been received by people in Iraq.^[9] Allegations concerning the misappropriation of funds were not substantiated.^[10]

Featured artists

• Beverley Craven
• Chris de Burgh^[5]
• Gloria Estefan^[9]
• Peter Gabriel
• Gypsy Kings
• Hall & Oates
• MC Hammer
• Whitney Houston
• Lavine Hudson
• INXS
• Tom Jones
• Alison Moyet
• New Kids on the Block
• Sinead O’Connor
• Alexander O’Neal
• Shiven Perwer
• Ryuichi Sakamoto
• Paul Simon^[5]
• Snap!
• Lisa Stansfield
• Rod Stewart^[9]
• Sting^[5]

References

1. News: Schmidt. William E.. 1991-05-13. AFTER THE WAR; Latest Rock-Star Relief Effort Benefits the Kurds. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-04-10. 0362-4331.
2. News: Raising relief money for the Kurds. 13 May 1991. 2A. 110. 317. Lexington, NC. The Dispatch. Google News Archive Search. 2021-04-10.
3. Web site: Hollywood can do more for Kurdistan. 2021-04-10. www.kurdistan24.net. en.
4. Web site: Tony Hollingsworth The Simple Truth: A Concert for Kurdish Refugees. 2021-04-10. tonyhollingsworth.com.
5. News: 17 August 2001. Accounts reveal Archer raised £1m for Kurds. en-GB. The Independent. 13 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220707010600/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/accounts-reveal-archer-raised-aps1m-for-kurds-9159245.html. 7 July 2022. Terri. Judd. subscription. live.
6. Web site: The Simple Truth: A Concert for Kurdish Refugees THE LISTEN CAMPAIGN. 2021-04-10. listencampaign.com.
7. Web site: Pop Stars Sing To Raise Money For Iraqi Kurds. 2021-04-06. AP NEWS.
8. Web site: Reuters Archive Licensing. 2021-04-06. Reuters Archive Licensing. en.
9. News: 16 August 2001. Archer fraud allegations: the simple truth. en-GB. The Guardian. 13 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220427100741/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/aug/16/qanda.politics. 27 April 2022. Matthew. Matthew Tempest. live.
10. News: Archer rebuked over cash for charity. Steven. Morris. 24 November 2001. The Guardian.

External links

• • The Simple Truth: A Concert for Kurdish Refugees: at listen campaign