'C'MON, RISE UP' CELEBRITIES RALLY NATION'S GIVING SPIRIT IN TELETHON.

Upon bare stages circled by candles, some of the biggest names in music, TV and moviemaking gathered in New York and Los Angeles on Friday to inspire and rally a country still recovering from the actions of Sept. 11 - and some to staff the phone banks for donations.

The evening opened with Bruce Springsteen introducing a stark new song, ``My City of Ruins,'' followed by many of Hollywood's top entertainers sharing stories and song in an unprecedented live benefit telecast on all the major TV networks.

``Tell me how I begin again,'' Springsteen sang as his band, hands joined behind him, provided backing vocals. The song ended with the repeated enjoiner: ``C'mon, rise up.''

The two-hour ``America: A Tribute to Heroes,'' included musical numbers interspersed with celebrities relating just a few of the many acts of heroism that defined the country's response that day of the East Coast terrorist attacks.

Actor Tom Hanks, describing the actions of those aboard the flight that crashed in Pennsylvania, noted that those aboard the plane ``likely saved our world from an even more unthinkable horror.''

``We are not heroes,'' Hanks added of those participating in the telethon. ``We are not healers, nor protectors of this great nation."

Julia Roberts praised the heroism of those at the Pentagon after the attack.

``They, and so many like them, lived the code of the day: Before we save ourselves, we save each other,'' she said. Her voice cracking, she added, ``Please, please, let's love one another.''

Speakers included Hollywood's stars - Robert De Niro, Ray Romano, Kelsey Grammer, Cameron Diaz, Will Smith, Robin Williams, Amy Brenneman, Calista Flockhart, Conan O'Brien, Chris Rock, Sela Ward and Jane Kaczmarek.

Once celebrities delivered the speeches, they headed to the phone banks. Information about making donations for relief efforts ran along the bottom of television screens.

Actor George Clooney took to the stage to relate the story of John Perry, a New York policeman who raced to the World Trade Center, after having filed his retirement papers.

``He never returned. He was a New York City policeman. He knew what he had to do and he did it one last time,'' Clooney said.

The story of another policeman lost in the line of duty was told by actors Dennis Franz and Jimmy Smits.

Smits added, ``New York has hundreds more like him, cops who at a moment's notice help people they don't know.''

Jim Carrey recalled the report of two men who carried a woman in a wheelchair down 68 flights of the World Trade Center.

``To risk your life for a total stranger in need is not only courageous, but divine,'' he said.

Tom Cruise recalled words from the eulogy given at the funeral of a priest killed while administering last rites at the rescue scene, ``We bury his body, but not his spirit. We bury his hands, but not his good works.''

On the New York stage, Sarah Jessica Parker, spoke of the city. ``While towers have fallen, this city has risen up,'' she said.

Stevie Wonder began his performance with the declaration, ``When you say you are killing in the name of God, you are lying.''

It was a point underscored by the appearance of Muhammad Ali, shaking from the effects of his Parkinson's disease, who spoke in a quivering voice.

``I've been a Muslim for 20 years, and all Muslims are against killing. Islam is peace. ... If I had a chance, I'd do something about it,'' he said.

Other celebrities manned phones, as well, including Jack Nicholson, Adam Sandler, Al Pacino, Halle Berry, Whoopi Goldberg, Benicio Del Toro, Brad Pitt, James Woods, Sylvester Stallone, Meg Ryan, Cuba Gooding Jr., Andy Garcia, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, Ben Stiller, Salma Hayek, Mike Myers, Penelope Cruz, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Keaton, Sally Field, and Danny DeVito.

Clint Eastwood concluded: ``The target was not just the symbols of America, but the spirit of America. ... The terrorists who wanted 300 million victims will instead get 300 million heroes.''

Musicians selected songs appropriate for the event. Paul Simon performed ``Bridge Over Troubled Water.'' Neil Young sang John Lennon's ``Imagine.'' Wyclef Jean performed Bob Marley's ``Redemption Song.'' Sting contributed ``Fragile,'' while Billy Joel sang ``New York State of Mind,'' a firefighter's hat resting atop his piano.

Also performing was U2, Eddie Vedder, Faith Hill, Dave Matthews, Sheryl Crow, Tom Petty, Enrique Iglesias, the Dixie Chicks, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey and Jon Bon Jovi.

Celine Dion sang ``God Bless America,'' while Willie Nelson closed the evening, with an all-star assemblage of celebrities gathered behind him, performing ``America the Beautiful.''

The special concluded with an image of an American flag flying still over the rubble of the World Trade Center.

Donations can be sent to: September 11th Telethon Fund, PO Box 203103, Houston, TX 77216. Or visit www.tributetoheroes.org.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Bruce Springsteen performs a new song, ``My City of Ruins,'' to open Friday's all-star telethon.

Kevin Mazur/Associated Press

(2) Mariah Carey, left, Halle Berry, Whoopi Goldberg and Cindy Crawford sing ``America the Beautiful'' at the telethon's end.

John Kennedy/Special to the Daily News