The World Trade Center disaster had a drastic impact on the livelihoods of many New York musicians. Cutbacks in the hotel field and the threat of widespread closings on Broadway are described in other articles in this issue. Many of the downtown clubs and jazz clubs around the city, economically marginal at the best of times, may not survive.

The losses go far beyond jobs. Some musicians have lost housing or work space in lower Manhattan, and Local 802 has learned of the tragic death of guitarist John Heffernan, a member of the punk rock band The Bullies, who was among more than 300 firefighters lost on Sept. 11. The possibility exists that other musicians who had day jobs as firefighters or EMS workers, or in offices in the Twin Towers, may also have died.

But musicians have also been in a unique position to relieve some of the grief and despair generated by the Sept. 11 attack – by providing respite to families of the victims and emergency workers, and performing in concerts that have raised millions of dollars for relief efforts.

Above, musicians performing at the Sept. 23 interfaith prayer service at Yankee Stadium. Reports on some of the projects 802 members have been involved in can be found by clicking the following links:

MEMORIALS AND RESPITE
FUND-RAISING BENEFITS