As part of his global effort to raise awareness for and to end HIV/AIDS, Elton John will perform on "Idol Gives Back", airing April 21, 2010 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX, on behalf of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, The Black Eyed Peas, Annie Lennox, Jeff Beck & Joss Stone and Mary J. Blige & the All-Star Band will also perform. In addition, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has joined "Idol Gives Back" as a not-for-profit partner on the charity special.

The brainchild of Simon Fuller, "Idol Gives Back" has made history by raising over $140 million for charity to date. This year’s special celebration will help raise awareness and funds to benefit various U.S. and international charities, including Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America, Malaria No More, Save the Children’s U.S. Programs and the United Nations Foundation.

News Corporation, Ford Motor Company, Coca-Cola, AT&T and ExxonMobil will return as corporate sponsors of "Idol Gives Back" and will generously donate to the historic Emmy Award-winning television event. Viewers will once again be able to make donations during and following the show. In addition, the week’s voting results will be revealed, sending one of the finalists home.

Tickets are currently on sale for the "Idol Gives Back" celebration at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and can be purchased by calling +1-800-745-3000 or by visiting ticketmaster.com. Net proceeds from ticket sales will go to the "Idol Gives Back" Foundation.

Additionally, viewers can visit www.idolgivesback.org now and join the “Help Me Give Back” program, an online initiative that empowers individuals and teams to help raise money for "Idol GivesBack". The website also allows access to an online auction featuring one-of-a-kind items such as an AMERICAN IDOL Season Ticket Pass, a Meet & Greet with Simon Cowell, a pair of autographed sneakers from Ellen DeGeneres and more. The auction runs until 11:59 PM PT on Tuesday, April 20, 2010.

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