In a show of unity, celebrities came out to the 12-12-12 benefit concert for the victims of Hurricane Sandy that struck the New York, New Jersey area in October.
The concert was held on Wednesday at New York's Madison Square Garden and was available through various mediums all over the world with an estimated 2 billion people taking in the experience according to the event's producers.
Among the celebs in town for the night was comedian Jon Stewart, who joked around with the massive New York crowd.
"When are you going to learn," comic and New Jersey native said. "You can throw anything at us - terrorists, hurricanes. You can take away our giant sodas. It doesn't matter. We're coming back stronger every time."
The show however, was about the music and one of the musicians who hit the stage was New Jersey's Bruce Springsteen.
The legendary musician opened the concert with "Land of Hope and Dreams" and "Wrecking Ball." He addressed the rebuilding process in introducing his song "My City of Ruins," noting it was written about the decline of Asbury Park, N.J., before that city's renaissance over the past decade.
"What made the Jersey shore special was its inclusiveness, a place where people of all incomes and backgrounds could find a place," he said. "I pray that that characteristic remains along the Jersey shore because that's what makes it special."
Springsteen was later joined on stage by fellow rocker Jon Bon Jovi for "Born to Run" and "Who Says You Can't Go Home."
Although the concert was geared to a more Rock n Roll theme, there was room for hip hop and R&B acts, genres that are mainstays of the city's culture.
Alicia Keys performed asked fans to hold up their cell phones and said. "We love you," Keys said, "and we'll make it through this." Rapper Kanye West also performed, albeit in a skirt, to huge roars from the crowd.
A large foreign contingent was also in attendance with Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney taking to the stage.
"This has got to be the largest collection of old English musicians ever assembled in Madison Square Garden," Rolling Stones rocker Mick Jagger told the crowd. "If it rains in London, you've got to come and help us."
Other performancers included: Eric Clapton, The Who, Roger Waters, Chris Martin and Eddie Vedder.
The Huffington Post reported the proceeds from the show will be distributed through the Robin Hood Foundation. More than $30 million was raised through ticket sales alone.
© 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.