CNN — The music world is uniting for disaster relief once more.
Big names like Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Billie Eilish, and Katy Perry will perform at the FireAid benefit concert. This event, happening on Thursday, aims to help those affected by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles.
People can tune in to FireAid starting at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET, through platforms like Apple Music, Netflix, and Paramount+. The concert will also air on iHeartRadio stations nationwide.
This concert joins the list of star-studded events that have effectively raised funds for various causes in the past.
Some notable benefit concerts include:
In 1985, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure organized Live Aid to aid victims of famine in Ethiopia. It featured legendary acts like U2, Queen, and David Bowie. The concert attracted around 1.8 billion viewers and raised over $125 million, making it one of the largest concerts ever held.
Farm Aid also started in 1985, thanks to Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp. Their goal was to support family farms in the U.S. Farm Aid has since raised nearly $80 million to strengthen the agricultural community and continues to promote family farms today.
Another significant event was “America: A Tribute to Heroes,” held after the September 11 attacks in 2001. This concert, featuring stars like Céline Dion and Paul Simon, drew an audience of 60 million and raised over $150 million.
In 2005, a celebrity telethon for Hurricane Katrina raised more than $50 million. The event gained unexpected attention when Kanye West made a controversial remark about government response. Despite this, the telethon, along with other fundraising efforts, helped support many in need.
These events underscore the power of music and celebrity in bringing people together for important causes.
