Publication: Reuters [International]
Date: April 11, 1997
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Title: "George Michael Surprises VH1 Concert"
Written By: Staff

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - George Michael made a surprise appearance during Thursday night's 4th Annual VH1 Honors benefit concert at the Universal Amphitheatre, performing a duet with Stevie Wonder on Wonder's hit Living for the City in an evening devoted to rock 'n' roll's golden oldies.

Wonder also performed his 1970s smash Higher Ground, along with Steve Winwood, while Winwood joined with Chaka Khan on his solo hit Higher Love. Winwood also collaborated with James Taylor, Levon Helm and Sheryl Crow to perform his Back In the High Life.

Other live performances included Jakob Dylan, Taylor and Emmylou Harris joining Winwood, Crow and Helm on The Weight, Crow and Harris dueting Pale Blue Eyes and Taylor performing his Shower the People beside Shawn Colvin.

Prince did a live version of his Holy River, while the Wallflowers played their Sixth Avenue Heartache.

Fran Drescher hosted the concert, which raised an estimated $150,000 to benefit music-education programs in public schools across the country through VH1's Save the Music initiative.

The 4th Annual VH1 Honors telecast airs at 9 p.m. Friday night.