NEW YORK (CNN) — New Jersey’s own Bruce Springsteen kicked off Wednesday night’s star-studded Madison Square Garden concert that raised money for those enduring misery after Superstorm Sandy.
Springsteen’s set included “Land of Hope and Dreams” and “Born to Run.”
Proceeds from “12-12-12” benefit the Robin Hood Relief Fund, which is assisting storm victims in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Alicia Keys told a cheering crowd, “This is our city. This is everybody’s city. The resilience of this city is incredible.”
Early performers include the Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Roger Waters and Eddie Vedder, joined by comedians Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and Billy Crystal.
“This recovery is not going to be quick,” Jon Bon Jovi told the crowd during his set. “We need your support.”
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie recently said the latest estimates of Sandy-related storm costs in his state were $36.8 billion, while New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo told reporters the total cost in his state was $41 billion.
Concert organizers said the event was accessible to 2 billion people worldwide, through television and Web sites.
The-CNN-Wire/Atlanta
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