Eilish, Carey, more sing from home to raise funds for virus
NEW YORK » Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys and Dave Grohl opened their doors — literally — as the musicians performed from their homes for an hourlong benefit concert to raise money for those affected by the coronavirus crisis.
Keys kicked off Sunday’s event — which also honored health professionals and first responders — singing her song “Underdog” from a piano in her home. She thanked those “risking their lives to keep us safe.” Carey, one of the last performers, sang “Always Be My Baby” from her home studio in New York, then told the audience she was going to put on gloves.
Elton John sang and hosted the special that aired on Fox and iHeartMedia radio stations; he said he hoped “this entertainment will feed and fuel your soul.”
The homebound setting wasn’t a stretch for the home-schooled Eilish, who typically performs alongside her brotherFinneas, who is either on guitar or piano. On Sunday, he strummed along as Eilish sang her No. 1 hit “Bad Guy” from their couch.
Eilish told viewers she was happy she and her brother could provide “some sort of comfort during the crazy, crazy time.”
The artists were filmed with cellphones, cameras and audio equipment in their homes.
Other performers included Tim McGraw, H.E.R. and Sam Smith, who sang “How Do You Sleep” in a cappella form. Dave Grohl sang “My Hero” from his studio in Hawaii, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong strummed his guitar to “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” while Camila Cabello sang “My Oh My” from Miami with a guitar assist from beau Shawn Mendes.
The five members of the Backstreet Boys performed from separate locations to sing their classic “I Want It That Way.”