Watch CBS News

Jagger Sparks Controversy With Comment At Sandy Relief Concert: 'If It Rains In London, You've Got To Come Help Us'

NEW YORK (CBS New York/AP) -- Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger irked some fans with an attempt at humor during Wednesday night's 12-12-12 Concert For Sandy Relief at Madison Square Garden.

During his set with The Stones, Jagger told the crowd that there should be a benefit show the next time it rains in London.

"This has got to be the largest collection of old English musicians ever assembled in Madison Square Garden," Jagger said. "But I've got to say, if it rains in London, you've got to come and help us, OK?"

Many fans quickly took to Twitter after hearing the remark to express some shock as victims of Hurricane Sandy in the tri-state were still reeling from the $70 billion in damages caused by the storm.

"Anyone else think Jagger's 'If it rains in London, you guys have to help us' line was a bit out-of-bounds?" wrote Twitter user @OakParkVandy.

Said user @mcavs: "Not gonna lie when jagger said 'better help us out if it ever rains in England' I got a little angry."

@bigdarrell92 also took offense to the comment, posting: "Really Mick Jagger? If it 'rains' in London, we have to help out? Poor taste man."

Still, plenty of Twitter users laughed off the comment, viewing it as a harmless rib from the rock legend.

Related: 12/12/12 Concert In Photos

"Mick Jagger: 'If it rains in London, you've got to come and help us!' For sure! Thank you for helping us!" wrote @ChrystynaTwer.

The Rolling Stones' official Twitter account also tweeted the line:

Rolling Stones Tweet

Jagger wasn't in New York City for Sandy, but he said in an interview before the concert that his apartment was flooded with 2 feet of water.

The sold-out "12-12-12" concert was being shown on 37 television stations in the United States and more than 200 others worldwide. It was to be streamed on 30 websites, including YouTube and Yahoo, and played on radio stations. Theaters, including 27 in the New York region and dozens more elsewhere, were showing it live.

Proceeds from the show will be distributed through the Robin Hood Foundation. More than $30 million was raised through ticket sales alone.

The powerful storm left parts of New York City underwater and left millions of people in several states without heat or electricity for weeks. It's blamed for at least 125 deaths, including 104 in New York and New Jersey, and it destroyed or damaged 305,000 housing units in New York alone.

Do you think Mick meant what he said, or did those who got offended take a harmless joke to heart? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.