Musicians Help Out Japan Relief Efforts

Lady Gaga and her little monsters have raised more than $250,000 for relief efforts in Japan thanks to rapid sales of a special prayer bracelet adorned with the pop star’s signature monster claw.

The white wristband, which was designed by the singer, also includes a number of Japanese characters as well as the English all-caps phrase “WE PRAY FOR JAPAN.”

Gaga responded quickly to the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami, adding the prayer bracelet to her online store hours after the March 11 disaster was reported. The wristband is priced at $5 with all proceeds going directly to relief efforts. Gaga’s online store allows fans to add a donation ranging from $5 to $100 to the purchase of the wristband. The bracelets will ship out March 25.

On Monday Gaga tweeted that sales have been a success so far.

“Monsters: in just 48 hrs you’ve raised a quarter of a million dollars for Japan Relief,” she wrote, with a link to the shop. “It’s important we help.”

Photo: Bobby Talamine / SkipTheDial.com
United Center, Chicago, Ill.

Gaga’s website also encourages fans to help out by donating to the American Red Cross through Citizen Effect. The site is collecting donations, which will then be matched by Eric Schmidt, Google Chairman & CEO, and his wife, Wendy. The Schmidts have committed to matching the first $100,000 donated. So far, $33,906 has been raised from 227 donors.

Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda has designed two T-shirts to help with relief efforts. One shirt features a butterfly above the band’s logo and the other includes the words “NOT ALONE.” The shirts are priced at $25 and will ship April 8.

Photo: Greg Allen / GregAllenPhotos.com
Madison Square Garden, New York City

Proceeds from the T-shirts will be donated to earthquake and tsunami survivors through Music for Relief, a charity founded in 2005 by Linkin Park to help victims of the Indian Ocean Tsunami. Donations can also be made directly through Music For Relief’s website or by texting “MFR” to 85944 to make a $10 donation.

Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus is doing his part to help out by setting up an eBay auction with all proceeds going towards the American Red Cross. Items in the auction include Blink-182 promo posters, rare Blink CDs and Angels & Airwaves stickers.

Charlie Sheen has also promised to donate $1 from every ticket sold from his “My Violent Torpedo Of Truth” live tour. The donations will go to the Red Cross Japanese Earthquake Relief Fund.