The FireAid benefit concert, aimed at supporting victims of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, has raised more than $100 million.
Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong has expressed his excitement and admiration for Billie Eilish after performing together at the FireAid benefit concert on January 30. The rock veteran, 52, and the 23-year-old pop sensation shared the stage for a duet of Green Day’s 2009 track Last Night On Earth, raising funds for the victims of the Los Angeles wildfires.
“It was an honour to be able to share the stage with her.” — Billie Joe Armstrong on performing with Billie Eilish
Armstrong described Eilish as a “pretty awesome young lady,” sharing how their connection deepened over their shared name. He explained to Billboard, “It’s funny, when [Eilish] first started coming out… I saw a headband with ‘Billie’ on it and I had to have that! And then she sent me a bunch of merch with ‘Billie’ on it.” Armstrong, who has been a long-time fan of Eilish, also praised her music, saying he knew early on that “something special was gonna happen” with her. “It was an honour to be able to share the stage with her,” he added.
The two artists first met during a 2019 interview for Rolling Stone, where Armstrong expressed his admiration for Eilish’s sound, describing it as “freedom” and likening it to jazz. Their shared passion for music and creative expression made their on-stage collaboration even more meaningful.
The FireAid benefit concert, aimed at supporting victims of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, has raised more than $100 million. The concert, which featured performances from Lady Gaga, Olivia Rodrigo, and Joni Mitchell, saw ticket and merchandise sales, public donations, and significant contributions from stars such as U2 and the Eagles, who donated $1 million each. Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and his wife also pledged to match donations made during the event.
The funds raised will be distributed through FireAid’s Grants Advisory Committee, which has been working to ensure that aid reaches those most in need, with the first phase of grants expected to be awarded by mid-February. Additional funds were raised by the Grammy Awards and MusiCares events, bringing in millions to support those impacted by the California wildfires.
