The Boston Strong benefit for the victims of the marathon bombings last month has only been in the works for a few weeks. In that time, the event team managed to pull together a star-studded lineup, from Aerosmith to New Kids On The Block, all performing for free. The venue – TD Garden - and even Ticketmaster.com also waived all fees in the spirit of charity. Somehow, Boston Strong worked and it worked well, with barely any time to organize. Acts included some proud Bostonians, as well as acts, who just performed out of solidarity for the city’s people. Acts like Jason Aldean, Dane Cook, James Taylor and Aerosmith, who flew in from Singapore, the latest stop in their tour, just to participate, reports Reuters.

“To say everyone is checking their ego at the door is a cliche, but it’s true,” said New Kid Donnie Wahlberg for Boston.com. “To walk down the hallway and bump into Carole King and have her say ‘Thank you. Your city is so great. . . . There’s no place for rock star attitudes tonight.”

The sole reason behind the concert was helping Boston and its citizens move on, and it looks like the event has been a huge success. At prices between $35 and $285, tickets had been sold out for weeks for the 17,500-seat venue, with net proceeds to be donated to The One Fund and, through it, victims of the bombing.

Steven Tyler, Today Show
Steven Tyler and Co. flew in from Singapore to perform.

New Kids On The Block
NKOTB even helped organize the gig.