People News

Paul McCartney joins 12.12.12 concert

Nov 16, 2012, 15:01 GMT

Sir Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney will perform at a Hurricane Sandy benefit concert in New York next month.

The Beatles musician will star in the 12.12.12 show, to be held at Madison Square Garden in the city, alongside a host of other music stars including Bruce Springsteen and Kanye West.

Proceeds from the concert - billed as 'a showcase of music royalty' - will go to the Robin Hood Relief Fund, set up to help the huge number of people in the Caribbean and US who have been stricken by the superstorm.

Also confirmed for the bill are Jon Bon Jovi - who is from New Jersey, one of the worst affected areas by the storm - Billy Joel, from Rhone Island, New York, another hard hit area, another New Yorker Alicia Keys and Roger Waters.

When the hurricane hit last month, Jon cut short a promotional tour of the UK to head straight back and see his family and help with relief efforts.

A source said at the time: 'He was really incredibly anxious for his family who were stuck in New York in an apartment and was desperate to be reunited with them.

'The family house in New Jersey was also hit quite badly and he needs to go back to assess the damage and what can be salvaged.'

Many other stars have made relief efforts, notably a 'Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together' telethon at the beginning of this month which featured Bruce, Jon, Billy, Christina Aguilera, Sting and Jimmy Fallon.

Madonna and Rihanna both announced they would play free concerts to raise funds, while newlyweds Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel volunteered to help pass out emergency supplies in New York. Lady Gaga has pledged $1 million of her money to the cause, while Gwyneth Paltrow agreed to be auctioned for lunch date to raise funds.