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Image: Thom Yorke
Jason DeCrow  /  AP
Thom Yorke and his band, Radiohead, performed the benefit show in 1,300-seat theater.
updated 1/25/2010 5:38:07 PM ET 2010-01-25T22:38:07

Radiohead raised more than $500,000 for Haiti earthquake relief at a special weekend concert that attracted celebrities and die-hard fans.

The band performed for more than two hours Sunday at the Henry Fonda Theatre. The star-studded crowd included Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel, Charlize Theron, Anna Paquin and Daniel Craig.

Attendees bid online for tickets, with proceeds going to Oxfam International, a group that works with developing countries. Prices went as high as $4,000 for a pair of tickets. The closing minimum bid was $475.

Lead singer Thom Yorke joked with the crowd about the ticket prices, saying, "What did you do to get a ticket? Get money from your dad? Or blackmail your boss?"

Timberlake took in the show from the floor in the general admission area, singing along with the band's hits, which included "Fake Plastic Trees," "Paranoid Android," "Lucky" and "The Bends."

Slideshow: Celebrity Sightings "I love them for the same reason everyone loves Radiohead," Timberlake told The Associated Press. "I have been listening to them since I was 13."

At work on a new album, Radiohead took a break from the studio to put together the special one-time benefit show at the 1,300-seat theater, a relatively small venue for the band. Funds also were raised from the sale of limited-edition show posters, which went for $25 each. Oxfam volunteers collected cash donations dropped into green buckets at the theater's entrance.

Tickets were sold only in pairs, prompting fans to search for bidding partners online.

Shane Rivers of Sacramento, who says he's seen the band 15 times, found his plus-one on Craigslist.

"I drove seven hours to be here," said Rivers, who paid $600 for his ticket. "It was special to be in the room."

Rob Molt of San Diego said he feverishly bid for days to win his $475 ticket. He said he would have spent "whatever it took to see such a beautiful band do such a beautiful thing."

"I hope how special this night was translates," he said. "I was expecting to be the runt in a Hollywood crowd, but it was all real Radiohead fans."

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Photos: Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief

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  1. Working behind the scenes

    From left, Mark Wahlberg, George Clooney and Jack Nicholson talk during the "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" on Friday, Jan. 22, in Los Angeles. Clooney organized the celebrity-studded telethon, which was televised from Los Angeles, New York, London and Haiti. (Mark Davis / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  2. From the Boss's heart

    Bruce Springsteen dedicated "We Shall Overcome" for Haiti during the telethon. All of the performances from the telethon will be made available on iTunes on Saturday for 99 cents, with proceeds going to relief aid. (Evan Agostini / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  3. Putting their hands to work

    Drew Barrymore, left, and Steven Spielberg lend a hand at the telethon in Los Angeles. (Mark Davis / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  4. Singing the blues

    Mary J. Blige performed the emotional tune "Hard Times Come Again No More" during "Hope for Haiti Now." The song was written in 1854 by Stephen Collins Foster, who was known as the father of American music. The song was a popular one during the Civil War. (Evan Agostini / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  5. Three's company

    Sacha Baron Cohen, Jennifer Aniston and John Cusack answered phones at the phone banks in Los Angeles during the telethon. (Handout / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  6. Standing by the children

    Prior to her performance of "I'll Stand By You" at the "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon in New York, Shakira announced an initiative to build a new school in Haiti through her Barefoot Foundation. (Evan Agostini / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  7. Piano man

    During the telethon, Justin Timberlake answered phone calls in Los Angeles and later performed Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" as he played the piano. (Ho / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation
  8. Bringing some laughs

    Chris Rock, left, and Tim Allen helped out in Los Angeles. (Mark Davis / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  9. Time out

    "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and Samuel L. Jackson took a moment to pose together in Los Angeles during the celebrity-studded Haiti benefit telethon. (Mark Davis / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  10. For the children

    Musician John Legend performed "Motherless Child" for the telethon from Los Angeles. The song is one of many that will be available for download on iTunes Saturday, with proceeds going to benefit Haiti. (Handout / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  11. Unplugged

    From left, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow and Keith Urban performed a three-way acoustic version of "Lean on Me" in Los Angeles. (Handout / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  12. 'Driven' by music

    From New York City, Sting performed a jazzy version of "Driven to Tears" with backup from the Roots. (Handout / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  13. Native son

    Wyclef Jean, who is Haitian-born, revealed from New York City how he pulled friends from rubble and carried bodies to the cemetary while he was in Haiti last week. He later ended the show with his performance of "Rivers of Babylon," then shouted, "Enough with the moping, man!" (Evan Agostini / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  14. An original

    Bono and Rihanna performed from London a new song they wrote specifically for the telethon, "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour." The Edge, who also helped write the song, and Jay-Z joined the two. (Mj Kim / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  15. 'Idol' voice

    From New York City, "American Idol" alum Jennifer Hudson sang the Beatles tune "Let It Be." (Evan Agostini / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  16. 'Prayer' for Haiti

    Madonna, who was in New York, reached back into her past list of hits and gave one of the more upbeat performances of the evening, "Like a Prayer," with backup singers. (Evan Agostini / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  17. An original

    Bono, Jay-Z and Rihanna sang from London a new song they wrote specifically for the telethon, "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)." The Edge, who also helped write the song, was also a part of the performance. (Ho / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation
  18. Building a 'Bridge'

    From Los Angeles, Stevie Wonder performed "Bridge Over Troubled Water." (Ho / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation
  19. Words from a pro

    Comedian Chris Rock read a few words from boxing legend Muhammad Ali, left, during the telethon. (Mark Davis / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
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