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Star Power Drives Telethon

Clooney-organized benefit attracts biggest celeb names

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 22, 2010 9:47 PM CST

(Newser) – Grim-faced celebrities and musicians with mournful tunes set the tone for tonight's all-star, international "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon, which featured two hours of desperate pleas for an even more-desperate nation. "The Haitian people need our help," said George Clooney, who helped organize the two-hour telecast. "They need to know that they are not alone. They need to know that we still care."

Then, after an impassioned plea from Halle Berry, Bruce Springsteen dedicated a song for Haiti—We Shall Overcome. Most of the musical performances were downbeat, emotional songs. John Legend sang I Feel Like A Motherless Child. Kid Rock, Keith Urban and Sheryl Crow sang Lean On Me. Madonna provided one of the few upbeat moments with her choir-backed performance of Like A Prayer.

Sting performs at Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief.
Sting performs at "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief."   (Hope For Haiti Now)
John Legend performs at Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief.
John Legend performs at "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief."   (Hope for Haiti Now)
In this image released by Hope for Haiti Now, Stevie Wonder performs at the Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief, on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 in Los Angeles.
In this image released by Hope for Haiti Now, Stevie Wonder performs at the "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief", on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 in Los Angeles.   (Mark Davis)
In this image released by Hope for Haiti Now, John Legend performs at the Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief, on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 in Los Angeles.
In this image released by Hope for Haiti Now, John Legend performs at the "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief", on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 in Los Angeles.   (Mark Davis)
Sting performs at the Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief.
Sting performs at the "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief."   (Hope for Haiti Now)
Actor Taylor Lautner works the phone bank at the Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief.
Actor Taylor Lautner works the phone bank at the "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief."   (Hope for Haiti Now)
In this image released by Hope for Haiti Now, Sting performs at Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief, on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, in New York.
In this image released by Hope for Haiti Now, Sting performs at "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief", on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, in New York.   (Evan Agostini)
Sting and Mary J. Blige pose backstage at Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief.
Sting and Mary J. Blige pose backstage at "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief."   (Hope for Haiti Now)
Jack Nicholson works the phone bank at the "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief."
Jack Nicholson works the phone bank at the "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief."   (Hope for Haiti Now)
Bono and Rihanna perform at the "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief."
Bono and Rihanna perform at the "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief."   (Hope For Haiti Now)
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Taylor Swift performs during tonight's telethon.   (YouTube)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
Cailtach
Jan 24, 2010 3:48 AM CST
Wow.
outoforder345
Jan 24, 2010 2:59 AM CST
i have to say i agree with you on those points. i feel that cnn has really gone over the line with their coverage.
dolcevita
Jan 23, 2010 9:19 AM CST
is that Boy George appearing with Bono in the photo?

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