'Born in the USA' singer Bruce Springsteen raised $600,000 for charity, including auctioning a lasagne dinner at his home for $300,000.
The 65-year-old entertainer raised $600,000 at the 8th annual Stand Up For Heroes charity concert after selling the opportunity to have a meal at his home as well as a package which included a one-hour guitar lesson, a ride in the sidecar of his motorcycle and a guitar.
Speaking on stage, the Born in the USA singer joked: ''You may have a guitar lesson or simply waste my time.''
Springsteen - also known as The Boss - originally offered the guitar and lesson for a starting price of $75,000. The $600,000 sum he made for the charity - which supports military service members and their families upon their return - came about as fans showed plenty of enthusiasm and the musician decided to auction off more and more items.
The event, also attended by comedians John Oliver, Jon Stewart and Louis C.K., saw a fan pledge to offer $300,000 for the lasagne dinner if another bidder increased his price to $300,000 for the whole package, which he duly did.
The function at Madison Square Garden in New York City raised more than $1 million, more than half of which was raised by Bruce, who performed Dancing in the Dark and Growin' Up.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.