1996 VH1 Honors

"Human Rights First"

In 1996, VH1 organized a benefit concert for Witness with Human Rights First. Robin Williams filmed a moving message for the concert on the power of individuals and video to document and impact important human rights issues. The global activist organization Witness provides video cameras to human rights groups to document abuses, so it was fitting that rocker Rod Stewart launched Sunday's 'VH1 Honors' tertainment world, with performances by Witness co-founder Peter Gabriel, Bryan Adams, Don Henley, R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe (also a Witness co-founder), Natalie Merchant, Gloria Estefan and Pete Townshend. Celebrity presenters included Academy Award-winning actress (and Robbins mate The concert raised $350,000 for Witness, formed in 1992