A Benefit Concert Is Planned for Victims of Hurricane Sandy

A benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Sandy is being organized by the three entertainment executives who produced “The Concert for New York City” following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The lineup for the concert, to be held at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 12, has yet to be announced, though the promoters are promising that some of the biggest stars in rock and pop music will take part.  Proceeds from the concert will be dispensed to people directly affected by the storm through the Robin Hood Relief Fund, the promoters said.

The concert - called simply “12-12-12” - is being produced by James Dolan, the executive chairman of the Madison Square Garden Company; John Sykes, the president of Clear Channel Entertainment Enterprises; and Harvey Weinstein, the chairman of the Weinstein Company.

The same executives were behind the rock concert on Oct. 20, 2001, that raised more than $30 million for victims of the World Trade Center attacks. That even t drew 14,000 people. Among the musicians who performed were Paul McCartney, the Who, Melissa Etheridge, John Mellencamp, Elton John and the Backstreet Boys.

Mikyl Cordova, a spokeswoman for Madison Square Garden, said that the promoters expected to assemble a lineup of similar drawing power for the December concert. Talks with individual musicians are still in the early stages and no firm commitments have been made yet, she said.