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 Those who performed from their homes for the "IHeart Living Room
Concert for America" also included Mariah Carey, Camila Cabello,
Alicia Keys, Shawn Mendes and Sam Smith.
The one-hour show, broadcast on Fox television without
commercials, was the biggest joint effort in the pandemic to
lift spirits, raise money for those in the frontlines, and
remind Americans to wash their hands and keep their distance.
"There's doctors, nurses and scientists on the frontlines.
They're living proof that most superheroes don't wear capes,"
said John, who hosted the show from his kitchen.
"We hope this bit of entertainment can feed and fuel your
souls."
All the performances and appearances by celebrities ranging from
comedian Ellen DeGeneres to R&B artist Lizzo and country singer
Tim McGraw were filmed on phones, home cameras or online
platforms.
The songs were interspersed with short personal stories from
nurses, doctors, truckers, grocery staff, and other essential
workers as millions of Americans entered a third week subjected
to orders to stay home.
Dr Elvis Francois, a surgeon from Rochester, Minnesota, stole
hearts on social media with an emotional rendition of "Imagine"
performed in medical scrubs.
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"Did this doctor just out sing every artist that’s performed?" one
viewer, Ender Wiggins, asked on Twitter.
The concert, also broadcast on iHeart radio stations nationwide,
urged listeners to donate to charities Feeding America, and First
Responders Children's Foundation.
The amount raised was not immediately known, but more than $1
million was donated in the first 10 minutes, courtesy of $500,000
from household goods giant Procter & Gamble and a matching sum from
Fox Television.
"My heart goes out to people who have lost loved ones and also those
who are losing their jobs," said Lady Gaga, clad in pink sweatpants
and a hoodie.
Alicia Keys, singing "Rise Up," Dave Grohl performing "My Hero," and
Billie Joe Armstrong's acoustic version of "Boulevard of Broken
Dreams" spoke to the hardships of millions of those working or laid
off as stores, restaurants, gyms and movie theaters have shut down.
"After we come out of this horrible thing, I hope we are nicer to
each other, and fairer to one another," John said.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
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