The late George Harrison and Michael Jackson are contributing to COVID-19 relief efforts.
Harrison’s Material World Foundation donated $500,000 (all figures U.S.) to MusiCares’ COVID-19 Foundation, Save the Children and Doctors Without Borders.
It is also pledging $1 for every social media post that shares part of the Beatles song “The Inner Light” and includes the hashtag “#innerlight2020,” up to $100,000.
"These lyrics sung by George are a positive reminder to all of us who are isolating, quarantined or respecting the request to stay in our homes,” his widow Olivia Harrison said, in a statement. "Let’s get and stay connected at this difficult time. There are things we can do to help and we invite you to share your Inner Light.”
The former Beatle, who died in 2002 at 58, established the foundation in 1973.
The estate of Michael Jackson has given $300,000 to MusiCares, Broadway Cares and Nevada’s Three Square Food Bank.
“This virus strikes at the heart of the communities we are close to,” read a statement from the estate’s co-executors. “Michael’s spirit of generosity and helping others during his lifetime is legendary. These donations are inspired by him.”
The estate noted that Manu Dibango, whose 1972 track “Soul Makossa” was sampled in Jackson’s 1983 single “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” died March 24 of complications from COVID-19.
Jackson died in 2009 at 50.