Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band opened an all-star benefit concert for victims of Superstorm Sandy on Wednesday, in what producers promised was "the greatest line-up of legends ever assembled on a stage."

The "12-12-12" concert at New York's Madison Square Garden featured a who's who of rock and pop, including The Rolling Stones, Alicia Keys, Chris Martin, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton and Kanye West.

"How do I begin again? My city's in ruins," Springsteen sang. He was joined by Jon Bon Jovi for "Born to Run," ushering in what was to be a night of musical duets.

Next up, Roger Waters performed alongside Eddie Vedder, and later in the evening Paul McCartney jammed with Dave Grohl.

Comedian Adam Sandler took the stage for a Sandy-themed spoof on Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," rhyming the title with "Sandy, Screw Ya!"

Backstage, actress Susan Sarandon recounted losing power in her New York home but said that was a small hardship compared to the real victims who lost their homes.

Producer John Sykes said Waters, McCartney and Chris Martin of Coldplay had reached out to "other legends to join them on stage and create once-in-a-lifetime moments."

Before the concert, Sykes said $32 million had already been raised from ticket sales and sponsorships. With the concert's potential to reach 2 billion people through broadcast and digital platforms, organizers are hoping to raise millions more.

Stars also took part in a telethon during the concert that lasted several hours.

More than 130 people were killed when Sandy pummeled the East Coast of the United States in October. Thousands more were left homeless as the storm tore through areas of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, causing billions of dollars in damage.

Reuters