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‘Hope for Haiti Now’ CD debuts at No. 1

It’s the first digital-only album to hit top spot on Billboard 200 chart

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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
    Related story Celebrities unite to help Haiti in telethon

  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
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  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
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  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
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  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
    Related slideshow See photos from the earthquake that hit Haiti.
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  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
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  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
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  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
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  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
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  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
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  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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updated 1/27/2010 7:31:18 PM ET 2010-01-28T00:31:18

NEW YORK — The all-star "Hope for Haiti Now" album has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the first digital-only album to hit the top spot.

Nielsen SoundScan says the compilation CD of performances from last week's charity telethon sold 171,000 units over the weekend.

The CD features performances by U2, Beyonce and Madonna, among others.

More than 80 million people tuned in for Friday's telethon, which organizers have said raised $66 million.

The event, which also streamed live online, featured appearances by former President Clinton, Muhammad Ali, Brad Pitt and other stars who encouraged donations for Haiti, hit by a devastating Jan. 12 earthquake.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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