The City of Hope Spirit of Life Award dinner and concert held October 11 raised a record $5.1 million, organizers said Wednesday (October 17).

Mary J. Blige, Sisqo, India.Arie, No Doubt's Gwen Stefani and the Who's Roger Daltrey were among the artists who performed Motown classics October 11 at the annual benefit (see [article id="1449572"]"Mary J. Blige, Roger Daltrey, Sisqo To Play City Of Hope Dinner"[/article]).

Sheryl Crow sat in for Jon Bon Jovi — who chose not to fly to the benefit from his home in New Jersey — and performed with Richie Sambora.

The money raised from the event will be used to establish an honorary research fellowship in the name of the night's awardee, Vivendi Universal executive vice chairman Edgar Bronfman Jr.

City of Hope has sponsored AIDS research and cancer care in recent years. The music and entertainment industries have raised more than $35 million for the center during its 27-year history.