Black Eyed Peas Gig Raises Cash For Earthquake Victims

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June 12, 2008 by Tim Saunders

The Black Eyed Peas have raised over $870,000 at a benefit show in Shanghai for victims of the Chinese earthquake.

The show, held on Tuesday night, was originally intended as a promotional event for beverage companies Chivas Brothers and Pernod Ricard China, but became a benefit in the aftermath of the May 12 earthquake that has killed more than 69,000 people in the country’s Sichuan region. Band members apl.de.ap, will.i.am, Taboo, and Fergie also donated a selection of personal items – including a guitar – to an auction held before the concert.

“We fell in love with China and the Chinese people when we visited here before,” said will.i.am. “So [we] wanted to use tonight to do all we could to help the relief effort in the aftermath of the earthquake.”

The band played to 700 invited guests, and the proceeds will be added to $300,000 already donated to the Chinese Red Cross by Pernod Ricard.

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