Madison Square Garden's most notable moments

Billy Joel (2014)

What started out as an experiment has become a record-breaking success. Billy Joel launched a monthly residency at Madison Square Garden as the arena's first musical franchise and it continues today, with milestones like the 50th concert in the run and Joel's 100th career performance at The Garden on deck in the next few months. Here, Joel performs the first show of his Madison Square Garden residency, on Jan. 27, 2014, in Manhattan.

12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief (2012)

The all-star benefit for victims of superstorm Sandy, which included performances from everyone from The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney to Kanye West and Alicia Keys, was driven most emotionally by artists who saw their neighbors affected by the storm. Billy Joel rewrote the lyrics to "Miami 2017" to reflect the damage, while Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi represented New Jersey storm victims. Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi perform during 12-12-12, a concert benefiting The Robin Hood Relief Fund to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy presented by Clear Channel Media & Entertainment at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 12, 2012, in Manhattan.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concerts (2009)

The two mammoth concerts that traced the history of rock and roll were packed with once in a lifetime pairings, including Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band teaming with Billy Joel and Darlene Love, and U2 teaming with Springsteen and Mick Jagger. Here, Osbourne performs with Metallica at the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame concert at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 30, 2009, in Manhattan.

The Concert for New York City (2001)

The benefit organized by Paul McCartney following the 9/11 terrorist attacks featured numerous poignant moments, as David Bowie dedicated "Heroes" to the firefighters at his local ladder company and McCartney introduced a new anthem "Freedom." But the most memorable performance was from The Who, seemingly shaking the country out of its stunned sadness and tapping into a new feeling of rage with "Won't Get Fooled Again." Here, McCartney is surrounded on stage by New York City rescue workers at the end of the Concert for New York City, at Manhattan's Madison Square Garden on Oct. 20, 2001.

Michael Jackson (2001)

The celebration of Michael Jackson's 30th anniversary as a solo artist was a wild, star-studded affair that was unforgettable not just because of the performances of Whitney Houston and the reunited Jacksons, but because the morning after the second concert marked the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Here, Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor walk the red carpet at the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 7, 2001.

U2 (1985)

The Irish rockers graduated to arena tours with the release of "The Unforgettable Fire" album and with their Madison Square Garden debut, they proved they were ready by inserting bits of "Ruby Tuesday" and "Sympathy for the Devil" into "Bad" and "We Are the World" into "40." Here, Bono performs on stage at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan on April 1, 1985.

The Concert for Bangladesh (1971)

George Harrison and Ravi Shankar's two benefits for the people of the new country of Bangladesh became the blueprint for all the rock superstar fundraisers that followed. Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr and other stars joined Harrison and Shankar for shows that became a concert film and soundtrack to further the cause. Here, George Harrison, left, formerly of the Beatles, performs at a benefit concert for East Pakistani refugees at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan on Aug. 1, 1971. Backing him up are, left to right: Klaus Voormann, on bass, Jesse Ed Davis, on guitar,, and Eric Clapton, on guitar, to the right of cameraman.