TIMOTHY WHITE REMEMBERED WITH GALA "MUSIC TO MY EARS" GARDEN PARTY

Billboard’s Timothy White was remembered during two benefit concerts at N.Y.’s Madison Square Garden Monday and Tuesday nights which featured the likes of Sting, Don Henley, Sheryl Crow, Billy Joel, John Mellencamp, Brian Wilson, Jimmy Buffett, Roger Waters and James Taylor.

The evening got underway with a video tribute to White, who spent ten years as editor-in-chief of the music trade magazine up to his death from a heart attack last June (see hitsdailydouble.com, 6/27). The various stars of the evening appeared on screen with reminiscences about White, while Bill Murray added his own deeply felt memorial.

Waters, who flew down from Boston’s Fleet Center for the show, performed three songs, including "Comfortably Numb," "Wish You Were Here" (joined by Henley) and a new song, "Flickering Flame."

Crow told the crowd that White taught her "how beautiful and important music is," then played "Soak Up the Sun," "Steve McQueen" and "If It Makes You Happy." Taylor played a slowed-down version of "Hound Dog" and the touching "When I’m Gone," on which he was joined by Sting. Joel followed with versions of "My Life," "Only the Good Die Young" and "Piano Man."

Henley called White "a man who liked value… a man of integrity." He also praised his "spastic white boy dancing." His set included "Shine," "Boys of Summer" and a cover of Bob Marley’s "Get Up, Stand Up," once again joined by Sting.

Sting’s set included "Roxanne," "Every Breath You Take," "Fields of Gold" and "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You." He told the hushed crowd he never really read White. "Record World was actually my favorite music trade. And Lenny Beer was my favorite columnist. Whatever happened to him anyway?"

White’s good pal Mellencamp followed with "Paper and Fire" and "Small Town" before Patty Smyth joined him for "Pink Houses," and Tony-winning Heather Headley for "Peaceful World."

Everyone then returned for a finale of "Bound for Glory" and "Everyday People."

Money from the two shows will go to White’s wife Judy and his 10-year-old twin boys Christopher and Alexander.