Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, U2, Jay-Z Lead 'Hope for Haiti' Telethon Lineup

Posted on Jan 21st 2010 2:48PM by John D. Luerssen
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Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, U2's Bono and the Edge, Wyclef Jean, Coldplay and Jay-Z are among the all-star lineup of artists slated for Friday's "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" telethon. The two-hour, commercial-free telecast, which also promises Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna and dozens of others, is set to air on MTV, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN and more at 8PM ET.

Responding to the devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake last week, the MTV-sponsored event, which hopes to raise funds for the struggling country and its victims, will include a number of rare collaborations at venues in London, New York and Los Angeles. According to MTV News, Bono and Edge will collaborate with Jay-Z and Rihanna in London while Kid Rock, Keith Urban and Sheryl Crow will perform together in L.A.

Other artists performing in L.A. include Timberlake, Keys, Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift. Acts like Springsteen, Madonna, Shakira, Sting, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige and Wyclef will take the stage in New York.

The show will also feature appearances by CNN's Anderson Cooper, former President Bill Clinton and George Clooney, who helped get the fundraiser started by calling MTV's CEO Judy McGrath. "This is about compassion," Clooney explained. "There are times in our lives when people are really without help and in real danger, and this is one of those times. So whatever they can do -- give money to one of the organizations that they like the best."

Available in 640 million homes worldwide, all donations from "Hope For Haiti" will directly benefit Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Red Cross, UNICEF and Wyclef's Yele Haiti Foundation. All performances from the event will be available for purchase on iTunes for 99 cents the following day.