Fire Victims Cherish What Remains

By Veronica Mackey

The star-studded Fire Aid Benefit Concerts in Inglewood raised an estimated $100 million in less than one week, according to Variety.  Efforts to help victims of the Pacific Palisades and Eaton wildfires brought music industry A-listers together on two stages on Jan. 30–the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome.  

Paul Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers and both venues, and wife Connie, vowed to match every dollar donated.

“We love L.A. and are committed to supporting the communities affected by the devastating wildfires,” the couple said, adding the donation would help “particularly in the historic, racially diverse community of Altadena.”

The super concert featured musical genres from rap to R&B, pop, rock and country.

It was a virtual Who’s Who of Entertainment, mixed with heartbreaking stories of people who have lost everything–entire neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades and Altadena destroyed.  Love, compassion and gratitude, however, was a central theme which kept the vibrations high.  

The fires claimed 29 lives and wiped out over 37,400 acres combined.  Still, within every story of loss, there was a story of what remained.

Actor and comedian Billy Crystal lost his home of 46 years in the fire and joked about a young woman who told him she lost access to TikTok for a day.  Dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, he said he had on those same clothes when he and his wife escaped.  He shared how he cried when he went to check on his home later and found only rubble.  He had not cried like that since he lost his dad at age 15.    But although his home was destroyed, Crystal found a rock that he planted in his front yard.  Inscribed on the rock was the word, “laughter.”  It was a sign for him to use comedy to help others heal.  

Grammy winner Billie Eilish kicked off the show, singing her hit “Birds of A Feather.  She teamed with Green Day on “Last Night on Earth.” while the band performed their solo hit appropriately titled “I’m Still Alive.”

Anderson Paak and the Free Nationals brought some party energy with help from legendary drummer Sheila E on “Get Me Thru.”  The crescendo came with everyone’s favorite L.A. Anthem, “California Love” and, of course, the hip hop icon Dr. Dre, an L.A. native (by way of Compton). The crowd jumped to their feet singing the chorus “In the City of L.A., In the City–City of Compton.”

The Williams family shared their story of what remained of their Altadena home.  For some reason, everything was destroyed except their front door.  A family member said, “That’s a sign because that door was our gateway to love.”  She told about how her family’s door was always open.  And how the home had been in the family for 4 generations.

The tributes to Los Angeles kept coming with a performance by Dawes, singing the heart-felt lyrics to “Time Spent in Los Angeles:”

“You’ve got that special kind of sadness

You’ve got that tragic set of charms

That only comes from time spent in Los Angeles

Makes me want to wrap you in my arms.”

Praises went out to all of the fire fighters.  One, in particular, fought flames for 16 straight hours, only to learn that his own home had burned to the ground.  But he, too,  found something precious that remained–his misplaced wedding ring.  To him, it was a sign of hope that his family and neighbors “aren’t going anywhere.  We will rebuild.”

A teacher from Altadena stood next to actress and comedian Quinta Brunson.  She fought back tears as she shared how she was finally able to purchase her own home after saving for 21 years.  She was so proud to be a homeowner and so devastated to lose it all.  When she went back and combed through the ashes, she found a dish that was used to hold her jewelry.  The inscription said “I think I’ll just be happy today.”

Rock legend Rod Stewart encouraged the audience to keep the faith.  He sang two of his classics, “Forever Young” and “Maggie,” then followed up with the inspirational 60’s anthem “People Get Ready,” originally sung by Curtis Mayfield.

The  LA love fest continued with some artists like Anthony Kiedis, lead vocalist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers sharing their love of Los Angeles with the audience: 

“We f—g love you Los Angeles! This is our home,” he said.  The band performed, “Dani California,” “Californication,” and “Black Summer.”

Olivia Rodrigo, also from L.A., said living here has been the inspiration behind her songs.  She sang “Drivers License” and “Deja Vu.”

Actor Miles Teller and his wife lost their home to the Pacific Palisades fire, and later met a man who turned out to be his neighbor.  They appeared together as the neighbor, Chad, shared the story of his family condo, which was purchased in 1974.  

The son of a blind father and wheelchair-bound mother, Chad’s story is nothing short of a miracle.  He spoke about how he and a friend had to carry his mom down 5 flights of stairs; how his stubborn dad decided to stay behind, slept overnight in an underground garage, and somehow made it out alive.  His parents have no insurance and live off social security.

“We lost so much,” he said, “But we didn’t lose everything.  We lost photographs, but did not lose family members.  We lost a house, but did not lose our home.  We lost our residence, but we did not lose our resilience.  The Palisades, this entire city, the city I call home.  We will persevere.”

Stevie Wonder sang “Love’s in Need of Love Today” and “Superstition.”  Sting joined him on “Higher Ground.” Lady Gaga closed out the show with a new song written especially for wildfire victims–an upbeat song called “Time is a Healer.”

Other artists in the Fire Aid line-up included: Earth, Wind & Fire. Gracie Abrams, Jelly Roll, Katy Perry, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt, Lil Baby, Peso Plum, Tate McRae,Alanis Morissette, John Mayer, Graham Nash, John Fogerty, Stephen Stills. Stevie Nicks, and The Black Crowes

The enormity of the loss will be felt for years to come.  The silver lining is, at least from what took place at the concert, the Los Angeles community really does care.  In his closing monologue, comedian and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel told the audience that people in Los Angeles have donated almost $200 million to help in the recovery of natural disasters like Hurricane Maria all over the country.

“Now we’re helping our own. Warehouses are filled with more donations than they (can take in.)  Some places have too many volunteers; they have to turn them away. It has brought us much closer together.”  He acknowledged “the firefighters and first responders, and the prisoners who risked their lives for $10 a day.”

Fire Aid is over, but the need is not.  Donate money by calling (310) 359-0579 or visit https://fireaidla.org.