Over the weekend, many musicians got together to help raise money for Ukrainian refugees, and boy did they. With video messages and performances from U2, Ozzy with Sharon Osbourne, Bruce Springsteen, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Elton John, Jon Bon Jovi, Julian Lennon, and more all helped raise over 10 billion dollars, yes that’s a billion with a B. Some artists just put up video messages while a couple did a full-on performance
U2’s Bono and The Edge did an acoustic version of their 2000 song “Walk On” with new lyrics inspired by the fight of the Ukrainian people.
They posted the song along with the following message: “The brave people of Ukraine are fighting for their freedom — and for ours — in the face of unspeakable violence and an unjust invasion. More than 4 million people, mostly women and children, have had to flee for their lives — a population nearly the size of Ireland. World leaders must stand up and stand by Ukrainians now…those who are fighting and those who have fled…and stand with refugees everywhere who have been forced from their homes and their lands.”
John Lennon’s oldest son Julian also took part with a very special one-off performance of arguably his dad’s most iconic solo song.
He says, “The war on Ukraine is an unimaginable tragedy… As a human, and as an artist, I felt compelled to respond in the most significant way I could. So today, for the first time ever, I publicly performed my dad’s song ‘Imagine.’ Why now, after all these years? I had always said, that the only time I would ever consider singing ‘Imagine’ would be if it was the ‘End of the World’… But also because his lyrics reflect our collective desire for peace worldwide. Because within this song, we’re transported to a space, where love and togetherness become our reality, if but for a moment in time… The song reflects the light at the end of the tunnel, that we are all hoping for… As a result of the ongoing murderous violence, millions of innocent families, have been forced to leave the comfort of their homes, to seek asylum elsewhere. I’m calling on world leaders and everyone who believes in the sentiment of ‘Imagine’ to stand up for refugees everywhere! Please advocate and donate from the heart. #StandUpForUkraine.”
He was backed on his version on acoustic guitar from Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt.
