Paul McCartney performs on stage during the finale of '12-12-12 ~ The Concert For Sandy Relief' December 12, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York. AFP PHOTO/DON EMMERT/Getty Images
By Jerry Shriver, USA TODAY
NEW YORK - The Robin Hood Foundation is distributing the first $50
million of proceeds raised by last week's star-studded 12-12-12 concert
to benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy, according to the event's
producers.
The nearly six-hour concert at Madison Square Garden
was presented by Chase and featured Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling
Stones, Paul McCartney, Kanye West, The Who, Bon Jovi and a host of
other musicians. It was broadcast and streamed to a worldwide audience
of potentially 2 billion.
The initial proceeds came from ticket
and merchandise sales, sponsorships and telephone and Web donations,
according to a foundation statement. Additional money for the Robin Hood
Relief Fund is expected from online auctions of signed memorabilia, the
U.S. broadcast of the concert, iTunes sales of live tracks and CD/DVD
sales.