Billie Eilish and Coldplay were among a number of musicians, artists, and entertainers around the world that have signed an open letter demanding world leaders take measures to end extreme poverty.

Billie Eilish and Coldplay were among a number of musicians, artists, and entertainers around the world that have signed an open letter demanding world leaders take measures to end extreme poverty.

Focusing on the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on efforts to eliminate the causes and consequences of extreme poverty, the letter calls on wealthy nations "to close the financing gap" of $3.5 trillion in annual funding to achieve the United Nations' Global Goals.

The open letter was announced at the inaugural Global Citizen NOW thought leadership summit in New York City on Sunday, and is in support of Global Citizen's year-long End Extreme Poverty NOW - Our Future Can't Wait campaign.

The musicians who signed the letter also include 5 Seconds of Summer, Adam Lambert, Chloe x Halle, Duran Duran, Femi Kuti, FINNEAS, Nile Rodgers, Ricky Martin, and Shawn Mendes.

Dozens of artists and entertainers also are signatories to the open letter.

(Photo: Kelia Anne MacCluskey)

Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved

The electric guitar that Kurt Cobain played in the 1991 video for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" has been sold for $4.5 million.

The electric guitar that Kurt Cobain played in the 1991 video for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" has been sold for $4.5 million.

The late Nirvana frontman used the left-handed guitar during both the Nevermind and In Utero recording sessions as well as numerous prominent live performances.

The iconic 1969 Fender Mustang, which was originally estimated to be auctioned for around $600,000, fetched more than seven times the expectation during the Music Icons auction at Julien's Auctions on Sunday.

The Jim Irsay Collection of Indianapolis was the highest bidder among collectors who participated in the online and over-the-phone auction.

"To have this legendary guitar, one of the most culturally significant and historically important guitars of Kurt Cobain and in all of rock music history return to my home state of Indiana to be part of Jim Irsay's renowned memorabilia collection is a great honor and personal highlight of my life," said Darren Julien, president and chief executive officer of Julien's Auctions.

He added, "This once-in-a-lifetime auction has been one of the greatest privileges in my professional career and I'm duly pleased that the proceeds will also bring much needed attention to mental health awareness."

(Photo: Julien's Auctions)

Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved

Chicago have released a single, "If This Is Goodbye," their first new music in eight years, ahead of their summer co-headlining tour with Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys, with Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin.

Chicago recently released a new single, "If This Is Goodbye," their first new music in eight years, ahead of their summer co-headlining tour with Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys, with Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin.

"If This Is Goodbye" is the band's first original release since 2014's Chicago XXXVI: Now, and their first original single since 2008's "Let's Take a Lifetime," which appeared on Stone of Sisyphus.

In "If This Is Goodbye," the band members reflect on their wild lives and relish the memories with lyrics like: "If this is goodbye / Let's take one more shot for the memories / Life's too short to be enemies / And if this ends tonight / You can save your tears for the other guys / I'll see you in another life."

(Photo: BMG)

Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved