Billie Eilish performed with Green Day, while Stevie Nicks showed appreciation to firefighters who saved her home.
Such instances occurred at two large charity benefit concerts in aid of wildfire relief in LA.
The FireAid benefit showcased a wide range of artists, with some unusual couples and multi-generational musical groups, many of whom have roots in the region hit hardest.
Performers at two venues in Inglewood, near Los Angeles, honored first responders between heartfelt ballads and energetic rock performances.
Stevie Nicks (of Fleetwood Mac), gave “Landslide” to the people who contained the fast-spreading Palisades fire, wildfire.
She praised their persistence and bravery, acknowledging their efforts to keep her longtime home safe.
The surprise of the night occurred when Billie Eilish became a part of Green Day in a duet of “Last Night on Earth.”
The lead singer of Green Day, Billie Joe Armstrong, called FireAid one of the most poignant performances of his band.
He highlighted their strong tie to Los Angeles, describing it as a second home.
Los Angeles native Eilish went on to do an acoustic set with her brother Finneas, singing “The Greatest” and “Birds of a Feather.”
Moreover, Lady Gaga closed the evening playing piano as she performed a new song co-written with her fiancé, Michael Polansky.
Sting and Stevie Wonder teamed up to sing Wonder’s popular song “Superstition,” with first responders dancing in the background.
Dave Grohl played drums while his daughter, Violet Grohl, sang Nirvana’s “All Apologies.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers performed “Californication,” with bassist Flea appearing nearly unclothed on stage.
Whereas, Katy Perry energetically waved a California state flag while performing “California Gurls.”
Comedian Billy Crystal, wearing the same outfit from his evacuation, shared his emotional experience of seeing his burned-down home.
Moreover, he lightened the mood by joking about a young girl’s reaction to losing TikTok for a day.
Between performances, video clips of fire survivors played on large screens, providing viewers with donation instructions. Hip-hop legend Dr. Dre led the crowd in a sing-along of “California Love,” while Joni Mitchell’s rendition of “Both Sides Now” brought some audience members to tears.
Gracie Abrams, a Palisades native, delivered an acoustic performance of “A Long December,” calling it a tribute to Los Angeles.
Organizers reported that funds (FireAid) would be used for immediate and long-term wildfire recovery as per the direction of the Annenberg Foundation.
