While it appears that the government has forsaken its citizens…Los Angelinos and the music world have not.
Last Thursday (Jan 30) musicians from all across the country gathered at the Kia Forum and the Inuit Dome for six hours of music to raise money for relief for the victims of the devastating wildfires that have ravaged neighbourhoods around Los Angeles.
FireAid was also broadcast on over two dozen streaming networks around the world where over 50 million music fans turned in to see.
While the numbers are still rolling in, the efforts so far have brought in some $100 million. While all First Responders were admitted free; ticket sales, donations, sponsorships, and merchandise sales have been raised.
The first donation of the night that was announced came from Ireland – a $1 million pledge from the band U2.
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and his wife also pledged to match all donations made during the concert which is a part of the $100 million. The Clippers also helped to offset the cost of putting on the show itself.
Performances from all star musicians included Billie Eilish and Finneas, P!nk, Green Day, Dawes, Joni Mitchell, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, Stevie Nicks, Sting, Stevie Nicks, Stevie Wonder, Katy Perry, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Olivia Rodrigo, and Lady Gaga.
During the Grammy Awards on February 2, host Trevor Noah reminded viewers all during the ceremony about the QR code where people could donate money to fire relief efforts. The effort raised over $9 million and the Recording Academy itself through its MusiCares organization has donated over $20 million.
Recovery efforts will take years to complete and hundreds of millions of dollars.