More than 70 incredible artists from around the world banded together over the weekend for a marathon virtual fundraiser concert that raised over $200 million in support of healthcare workers on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.
Lady Gaga – in collaboration with Global Citizen and the World Health Organisation – curated One World: Together at Home, which was co-hosted by Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert and included performances from Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Céline Dion, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and many more – all from the comfort of their own homes, of course.
The 8-hour special entertained the millions of people stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic, focused on communities impacted by COVID-19 across the world and included conversations with … and tributes to … the political leaders, scientists, health care professionals, and other essential service workers at the forefront of the current crisis.
"I'm so grateful for the healthcare workers, the medical workers, all the grocery store workers and delivery people, the postal workers, all the other non-profits that are working so hard," Gaga said. "This is really a true love letter to all of you all over the world, and I hope a reminder of the kindness that's occurring right now."
It was an awe-inspiring event and massively successful fundraising effort (aimed at corporate donations only). In case you missed some of the incredible performances and collaborations, or simply want to relive them over again, here’s a recap of the highlights from One World: Together at Home.
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder chose to pay tribute to a fellow soul legend and friend, Bill Withers who passed away recently, with a wonderful cover of his 1972 classic, "Lean on Me" alongside his own "Love’s in Need of Love Today."
"During hardships like this, we have to lean on each other for help,” Wonder said before he started. “My friend, the late Bill Withers, has the perfect song about that. And I want us to remember him tonight."
Paul McCartney
Jimmy Fallon introduced Sir Paul McCartney as his "favourite singer-songwriter of all time."
McCartney prefaced his performance of the Beatles' "Lady Madonna" with an impassioned speech, announcing he was "very honoured to be part of this program tonight that celebrates the true heroes – our healthcare workers, all around the world." He continued, "The pandemic is a global crisis and we have to all come together to fight it on a global scale."
Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts delivered a socially distanced rendition of "You Can’t Always Get What You Want" from 1969’s Let It Bleed from their respective homes. From the inflatable palm tree in Ronnie Woods loungeroom to Watts’ remarkably believable air drumming and what looks like a whiskey sour chilling on Keith Richards’ coffee table – it’s an epic 5 minutes.
"We are honored to be invited to be part of the One World: Together at Home broadcast … from our homes in isolation. A fantastic event with Global Citizen in the fight against COVID -19," the band said in a statement.
Elton John
Elton John’s show-stopping performance of his classic, "I’m Still Standing" came with a bonus introduction from David and Victoria Beckham, throwing their heartfelt support behind "the people out there who are risking everything to keep us all safe."
"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts," Victoria continued. "And now, for the big performance of the night, our dear, dear friend, Sir Elton John."
Looks like Elton’s been shooting hoops during the downtime!
Billie Joe Armstrong
This acoustic rendition of Green Day’s "Wake Me Up When September Ends" from frontman Billie Joe Armstrong provides the perfect soundtrack to the stunning montage of empty streets in the biggest cities around the world, currently in lockdown, that accompanies it.
Eddie Vedder
Seated at his home organ, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder laid down this spine-chilling solo version of "River Cross" from the bands most recent Gigaton album that was released in March this year.
Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, John Legend & Lang Lang
Finally, the marathon event’s driving force, Lady Gaga joined Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli’s for this truly uplifting performance of their 1999 duet "The Prayer." The singers were joined by famed pianist, Lang Lang for the virtual collaboration.
If you want to relive the massively memorable event in its entirety, you can watch the full 8-hour broadcast below:
One World: Together At Home Special to Celebrate COVID-19 Workers
