Hurricane Sandy Relief Telethon: "The Today Show" Matt Lauer to Host It on Friday

Matt Lauer will host Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together - an one-hour telethon on Friday, Nov. 2 to benefit those affected by the wrath of Hurricane Sandy.

The telecast will air at 8 p.m. and broadcast over NBC Universal networks including NBC, E!, Bravo and USA.

The telethon also will be live-streamed on NBC.com.

NBC said the commercial-free event will air live across the East Coast and tape-delayed on the West and that additional networks could join the broadcast of the telethon prior to airtime.

The telethon will feature performances by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Billy Joel, Sting, Christina Aguilera and appearances by NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams and late night host Jimmy Fallon.

NBC said the money collected will be donated to the American Red Cross relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy.

"The American Red Cross response to Sandy is very large and will be very costly, affecting a massive area spanning much of the eastern half of the country," NBC Universal said in a statement. "Financial donations help the American Red Cross provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy."

To donate, people can visit RedCross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Hurricane Sandy roared through the Caribbean and killed 60 people before it came to the U.S. In the United States, Sandy is being blamed for at least 74 deaths and cut electricity for more than 5.6 million household. She also crippled mass transit in New York and New Jersey.