New York To celebrate the publication of the TIME 100 list of the most influential people in the world now, the magazine will bring together a select and remarkable group of people and TIME cover subjects at a black tie event on April 19th at Jazz at Lincoln Centers new home, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th Street, New York City. The people who shaped our world are from government, science, arts, sports, business and beyond. TIME first brought such a diverse group together when 100 cover subjects gathered to celebrate TIMEs 75th anniversary in 1998 at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The TIME 100 issue hit newsstands Monday, April 11th.
Star performances will mark an historic night. Singer Melissa Etheridge, comedian and Daily Show host Jon Stewart and Colombian rock star, Juanes -- three of this years TIME 100 -- will perform for the 350+ guests. Other TIME 100 notables will speak and toast individuals who influenced them. Some include New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick, Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai, New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, and more.
For the TIME 100 issue, TIMEs editors invited well-known people to write profiles of many of the TIME 100 notables:
-- Lisa Marie Presley on Melissa Etheridge: Melissas fearlessness was never clearer than at this years Grammy Awards when, completely bald after nearly five months of treatment for breast cancer, she gave a wrenching, rocking performance of Janis Joplins Piece of My Heart. I was bawling backstage. She walked off and seemed to have no idea that she had done something extraordinary. She was just being Melissa: honest, defiant, fists in the air, writes singer/songwriter Lisa Marie Presley.
-- Quincy Jones on Juanes: One artist who exemplifies musics ability to speak to everyone is the young Colombian-born singer JuanesHe is an artist whose music comes straight from the genuine spirit of his soul, and because of that, an artist that I think more and more of the world will embrace, writes Quincy Jones, Grammy-winning musician and producer.
-- Tom Brokaw on Jon Stewart: Jon was the citizens surrogate as he penetrated the insiders cult of American presidential politics, exposing its absurdities, hypocrisies, juvenilia and most of all its separation from the realities of life for ordinary voters. Jon spoke truth to power (although he would laughingly dismiss such a weighty phrase), writes Tom Brokaw, former anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News.
"How do you pick the 100 most influential men and women of 2005? TIME managing editor Jim Kelly writes in a letter to readers in the special issue. Some people are obvious, thanks to their position; that is why George W. Bush is once again part of the TIME 100, along with Hu Jintao of China. Some, I think it is fair to say, were not household names a year ago, such as Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine, writes Kelly. Some belong on the list because of how they set the agenda outside their day job (Bill Gates, for his charity work) or make their daytime-TV job into a guide for how to live a meaningful life (Oprah Winfrey). Others may be less obvious but by dint of their inventions (Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis, who gave us the BlackBerry), writings (Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code) or bravery in the face of pain (Melissa Etheridge) are leaving their impression on the world.
If I had to sum up the difference between last year and this year, Id say the 2005 list is more about moral influence than political power, writes Kelly. Once we made our selections, the fun began: asking the right person to make the case for the pick.
Swarovski, the world's largest manufacturer of cut crystal, created a sparkling crystal object of art for the TIME 100 Swarovski Crystal Award. "The multi-faceted Swarovski crystal award reflects the brilliance of the lives and ideas of the world's most influential people," says Nadja Swarovski, Vice President of Swarovski International Communications. The 100 Swarovski crystal objects are customized with a laser engraved TIME 100 logo and each honorees name.
To view last years TIME 100 list, which ranged from Kofi Annan and Osama bin Laden to Nicole Kidman and John Galliano, go to www.time.com/time/2004/time100.
Etheridge will be releasing her "Greatest Hits" album with two never released songs on October 18, 2005. The formidable star uses her fame by tirelessly supporting numerous causes. She has worked with the Human Rights Campaign, LA Shanti, several childrens and breast cancer organizations and is an outspoken advocate for various gay and lesbian organizations. Along with her two Grammy Awards, Etheridge was honored with the ASCAP "Songwriter of the Year" award in 1996.
Stewart is considered one of Americas top social and comedic voices. From his anchor chair on Comedy Centrals The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Stewart has breathed new life into a show that hadnt even seemed to need it, said The New York Times. Since taking over as the host of The Daily Show in January, 1999, Stewarts presence has seen higher ratings and awareness for himself, as well as the network. As host of The Daily Show Stewart has interviewed such luminaries as former President Bill Clinton, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton, John Kerry, John Edwards and Bob Dole and such celebrity icons as Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks and Bruce Willis. For the past four years, Stewart and The Daily Show have received 7 Emmy Award nominations and won 5.
Juanes has quickly become the leading music artist in the Spanish-speaking world - with The Los Angeles Times declaring that: "(Juanes) has emerged as the single most important figure on the Latin music scene." Both an electrifying guitarist and socially conscious songwriter that critics are putting alongside artists such as Bono and Bruce Springsteen, Juanes confronts the violence of his native Colombia's continued conflict, while pointing to the love of family and respect of countrymen as the way to rise above the fray. Millions of fans have adopted the songs of this nine-time Latin Grammy winner as virtual anthems for Latino pride, prayers for peace, and the strength of true love. Currently, Juanes is in the midst of the "MI SANGRE TOUR," which will find him performing over 200 shows around the world, including visiting arenas and large theatres in over 45 U.S. cities.
TIME, the worlds largest news magazine, has a worldwide circulation of 5.4 million and an audience of 31 million readers. TIME magazine is available to readers worldwide in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia, South Pacific, Canada, and the U.S. Each issue offers readers access to TIMEs global resources with regional, relevant stories. TIME is the only news weekly that provides regional editions for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia, South Pacific and Canada.
# # #
Media Contacts: Andy Shearer, Rubenstein Communications, 212-843-8061
Debra Richman, TIME, 212-522-6856
Diana Pearson, TIME, 212-522-0833