Iggy Pop and Patti Smith Share Stage at Tibet House Benefit

Iggy Pop could arguably be the first-ever performer in the history of New York's legendary Carnegie Hall to take off his shirt on stage and later dive into the audience. Those were some of the highlights from Friday night's Tibet House U.S. 20th Annual Benefit Concert, which also featured Patti Smith, Regina Spektor and others.

Pop, who will officially be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Stooges on Mar. 15, was the last headliner of the evening to take the stage. Looking agile as ever with his moves and physique, Pop defied the usual Carnegie Hall stage etiquette and rocked the crowd with his performances of 'The Passenger,' 'Mass Production' and 'I Wanna Be Your Dog.'

Preceding him was another legend, Patti Smith, who began her brief set with a cover of the O'Jays' classic 'Love Train.' That was followed by the moving 'Beneath the Southern Cross' and an electrifying rendition of 'Gloria.'

Earlier in the concert, singer Regina Spektor sat behind the piano to perform three songs: 'Apres Moi,' 'The Sword and the Pen' and 'Laughing With.' Another musical guest, the New York-based gypsy punk ensemble Gogol Bordello, delivered some passionate folk-inspired rock.

Other performers at the show included composer and pianist Philip Glass (who was also the concert's artistic director), singer-pianist Pierce Turner, pianist Jesse Smith (Patti Smith's daughter) and percussionist Michael Campbell, Sierra Leone group Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew, the Scorchio String Quartet, and young Tibetan vocalist Tenzin Kunsel. The evening began with an invocation by the Drepung Monastery monks.

The annual concert, which occurs during the Tibetan New Year, supports Tibet House U.S., a non-profit organization whose aim is to protect Tibetan culture. Previous performers have included Paul Simon, David Bowie, R.E.M., David Byrne and Vampire Weekend.

At the end of Friday's show, all the performers came out on stage to join Patti Smith as she sang 'People Have the Power.' "We are here to spend time with one another," Smith said, "and to remember we are working together to help preserve the Tibetan culture. All cultures deserved to be remembered. So now let's remember the present."

Iggy Pop on AOL Music
Patti Smith on AOL Music