Music stars net $10m for Japan disaster victims with Songs for Japan album
The Songs for Japan hit album has so far raised $10million for victims of Japan's earthquake and tsunami.
The special collection of songs from 30 of the world's biggest music stars, both past and present, including Lady Gaga, U2, Bob Dylan, Eminem and John Lennon, continues to help survivors of the tragedies, says the Japanese Red Cross Society.
The society's Vice-President, Yashiharu Otsuka, teamed up key figures from major record companies, Warner Music Group, Universal, Sony Music and EMI, to celebrate the achievement of $10million being raised by the compilation.
The money has come from more than a million sales of albums and digital downloads from across the world, helping the album achieve number one iTunes status in 18 countries upon release.
To generate as much money as possible, artists, writers, labels and publishing companies did not take any royalties from the project and advertisers and marketing partners gave their services for free.
President of Japanese Red Cross Society, Tadateru Konoe, says, "The kind thoughts of the people who made and bought this album have given great encouragement to the people affected by the earthquake and tsunami. One hundred percent of the money raised goes directly to those most in need.
"On behalf of the Japanese Red Cross and the people affected by the disaster, I want to sincerely thank the artists and music companies for this generous support. It is much needed and greatly appreciated."
The celebration occurred at a reception in Tokyo organised by Frances Moore, the chief executive of the global recording industry body IFPI.
The Songs for Japan compilation features 38 classic tracks. Five of them are number ones and another 25 have made the Billboard Hot 100.
Its via iTunes launch came just a fortnight after the earthquake struck, on 25 March and was followed by the release of a double CD.
An initial $5million payment was given to the Japanese Red Cross Society a few months ago with an additional $5million handed over recently.
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