Rolling Stones join music heavyweights for biggest Sandy benefit

The ROLLING STONES have joined BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, THE WHO, PAUL McCARTNEY and ERIC CLAPTON on the bill for next week's Superstorm Sandy benefit at New York's Madison Square Garden.

The reunited rockers' decision to team up with their peers at the 12-12-12 Concert for Sandy Relief on 12 December (12) has turned the charity spectacular into even more of a must-see for music fans with large bank accounts.

Tickets for the star-studded benefit quickly sold out, and scalpers are now making thousands from sales to desperate fans - one ticket on the StubHub.com website was being offered at a staggering $60,000 , prompting New York Senator Chuck Schumer to urge officials at internet ticketing sites to prohibit the resale of 12-12-12 concert tickets.

Also set to perform at the gig of the year are members of Bon Jovi, who grew up in the area of New Jersey which was worst hit by the October (12) storm, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Coldplay's Chris Martin and rockers Eddie Vedder and Dave Grohl.

The timing of the show could not have been better for the Rolling Stones - it falls between their concert in Brooklyn on Saturday (08Dec12) and two gigs scheduled for New Jersey's Prudential Center on 13 and 15 December (12).