“In times of devastation, standing together is more important than ever,” guitarist Phil Collen shared in a statement
Def Leppard are sending love to Los Angeles as the city recovers from devastating wildfires that claimed multiple lives and displaced thousands. The band’s cover of Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me,” guitarist Phil Collen shared, “is a tribute to resilience, unity and hope.” Proceeds from the charity single will benefit FireAid, the non-profit organization raising funds for immediate relief efforts and long-term initiatives to take preventative measures against fire disasters in Southern California.
“In times of devastation, standing together is more important than ever,” Collen said in a statement. “As a resident of Southern California for 35 years, I’ve witnessed the impact of wildfires as they continue to ravage communities across California … All proceeds from our version will go directly to wildfire victims, helping those who need it most. Let’s stand by each other and make a difference — because no one should face hardship alone.”
Def Leppard hail from Sheffield, England, but “Los Angeles and its surrounding area has always played a central role” in their career, Joe Elliott said. They played their first-ever American concert there and have continued to return to the city for rehearsals. “We feel blessed to be able to dedicate this song and give all the royalties to the amazing heroes in L.A. helping those affected by the fire,” Elliott added. “No better song.”
The single arrived just hours after FireAid hosted two benefit concerts in Los Angeles, one at the Kia Forum and the other at the Inuit Dome. The night saw performances from Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Joni Mitchell, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Lady Gaga, Stevie Nicks, and more.
The night was full of artists honoring the city with cover songs. The Black Crowes performed a stripped version of Led Zeppelin’s “Going to California” with Slash; Gracie Abrams took on Counting Crows’ “A Long December”; Tate McRae covered Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over”; and P!nk also went for Zeppelin, covering “Baby I’m Gonna Leave You.”
