Fires in California: Many stars at benefit concert in LA for fire sacrifices

A huge star contingent for a good cause: The rock band Green Day and pop star Billie Eilish have opened the charity concert Fireaid for those affected by the devastating fires in Southern California. With more than two dozen music greats in two large arenas in Inglewood, south of Los Angeles, millions of donations should be collected on Friday night. Stars like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Olivia Rodrigo and the Red Hot Chili Peppers had agreed.

At the beginning of the show of several hours, the 81-year-old songikone Joni Mitchell, Alanis Morissette, Dr. Dre, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Pink and Rod Stewart.

Hollywood comedian Billy Crystal was also on stage as an affected person. The 76-year-old actor and his wife Janice had to flee from the flames of the “Palisades” fire. Her house, in which they have lived since 1979, burned down. He would wear the same things with which he had to leave the house quickly, said Crystal.

The total income of ticket sales and the donations are intended to receive the fire victims and the reconstruction of the destroyed areas. Crystal announced a large donation of the Band U2 of $ 1 million on stage.

The show was broadcast live by streaming providers with donations. In addition to the stars’ appearances, firefighters and those affected also had their say.

According to estimates, more than 16,000 buildings, which broke out on January 7, were destroyed and an area of ​​more than 150 square kilometers was devastated. The number of confirmed deaths rose to 29. After a week -long large -scale deployment of the fire brigade, the devastating fires – the “Palisades” fire on the western edge of Los Angeles and the “Eaton” fire near Pasadena and Altadena – are now practically contained.