The Rolling Stones have joined the line-up for the 12-12-12 benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Sandy, the producers announced at a press conference at Madison Square Garden on Friday.
The Stones were persuaded to help the cause this week during a rehearsal for their Saturday show at Barclays Center. Two of the producers - John Sykes of Clear Channel Media and the movie producer - Harvey Weinstein - went to Brooklyn to make a personal appeal to Mick Jagger. “Mick said ‘The Rolling Stones pop group is in,'†Mr. Weinstein said at the press conference.
The addition of the Stones makes the concert one of the largest gatherings of big-name rock musicians in recent memory. The show, to be staged at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, will feature Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Dave Grohl, Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, Eddie Vedd er, Roger Waters, the Who and Paul McCartney. Others on the bill include Chris Martin, Kanye West and Alicia Keys.
Many comedians, Hollywood stars and film-makers have also agreed to present the musical acts and to deliver speeches about the destruction the storm wrought along the coasts in New York and New Jersey, where approximately 600,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Among those who have agreed to do appear are Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock, Seth Meyers, Adam Sandler, Jon Stewart, Jake Gyllenhaal, Kristen Stewart, Susan Sarandon, Sean Combs and Quentin Tarantino.
