Many of the East Coast's biggest stars came together to help bring relief after what's been called the storm of the century on Friday night.
Musicians
and celebrities from Christina Aguilera to Jon Stewart joined the
"Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together" broadcast to benefit Red Cross
efforts in the aftermath of Sandy, the superstorm that devastated New York, New
Jersey and beyond earlier this week.
"I
was born in Staten Island," Aguilera said to open the hour-long event.
"We will not leave anyone behind. Every single one of you matters."
The
singer delivered a powerful performance of "Beautiful," making her
the first New York-bred star to appear in an evening full of New York and New
Jersey natives.
Airing
on NBC and other networks, the broadcast showcased footage from the storm's
path of destruction -- "one of the biggest hurricanes on record,"
which left millions without power or worse. A reported 88 people died in the
storm and its aftermath.
"The
Jersey shore looked like armageddon," Matt Lauer, the show's host, said as
its famous boardwalk, barely recognizable, was pictured. Bon Jovi performed a
toned-downed acoustic version of "Living on a Prayer" after frontman
Jon Bon Jovi was shown visiting the band's decimated hometown.
The
broadcast turned to Ann Curry in Staten Island, where "half a million
people suffered some of the greatest losses in all of New York." "You
need to come here and help us, we need assistance, please!" a woman
implored the cameras.
Stars
who joined the benefit included Tina Fey, Whoopie Goldberg, Danny DeVito, Kevin
Bacon and Jimmy Fallon, who took a musical turn himself. He sung lead with
Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Tyler and others for an all-star
performance of '60s hit "Under the Boardwalk."
"That
ain't bad," Stewart joked after.
It
was a big collaboration on a night focused on performers' own back catalogs.
Billy Joel performed "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on
Broadway)," a 1976 song that gained new lyrics as he sang, "They
turned our power down/Staten Island drowned/But we went right on with the
show." Members of Aerosmith performed a drum-free version of "Dream
On"; Sting took the stage solo with a classical guitar to perform the
Police's "Message in a Bottle." Mary J. Blige chose a newer track, delivering
a stirring take on "The Help" song "The Living Proof,"
singing, "Our best days are right in front of us/And we're almost
there."
The
hour ended with Springsteen and the E Street Band performing "Land of Hope
and Dreams," taking the stage with the night's biggest ensemble.
You
can support relief efforts at RedCross.org and iTunes.com/redcross.
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