Sandy benefit: What stars said backstage at "12-12-12"

We were backstage at the "12-12-12" Sandy benefit concert Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden in New York, which helped raise money for the victims of superstorm Sandy via the Robin Hood Foundation. Here's a snapshot of what some of the stars said about Sandy and the benefit show:

Martha Stewart

"There was no power for 14 days, but that's nothing compared to the people who are really suffering," noted Martha Stewart, who lost her electricity.

"I have lots of friends, including my daughter's building, which is very badly damaged...So it's very widespread," she added.

Susan Sarandon

Susan Sarandon talked about losing power at her Manhattan apartment and seeing trees down at her house in the Westchester area of New York, but said she didn't have it bad compared to others.

"Certainly New Yorkers shine the most in times of adversity...I'm very proud to be a New Yorker and be part of this," the actress said backstage, adding, "It's so moving every time you see a grassroots movement...It's just great that people found a way to come out."

Steven Van Zandt

"First of all I'm always quite proud of the fact that the music business and entertainers, in general, that we're always one of the first ones to help," Steve Van Zandt said. "Even now with the music business not what it used to be, we're glad to be there. It's a little bit more personal -- literally the Jersey shore where we grew up. But we'd be there anyway."

"As a band, when there's trouble, we run towards it," the E Street Band guitarist added.

Billy Crystal

"I was in California when the storm hit and watching my hometown get pummeled...you're just so helpless, watching the town you grew up in....It's a helpless feeling, also for what's in store for us maybe in the future," said Billy Crystal. He said the heroes of the storm are the victims.

Richie Sambora

While backstage, Sambora talked about returning to Seaside Heights, N.J., where he used to spend time growing up.

"I really had to hold back the tears," he said during his visit to Seaside, before noting how his mother's house in Point Pleasant, N.J. "got trashed."

"I had to evacuate her and she lives with me now," the Bon Jovi guitarist said, noting that who he's really thinking about are the people who lost their lives and others -- without flood insurance -- who lost their homes. He recently played a solo benefit show for the cause.

Roger Waters

Roger Waters talked about how he's been living in New York for 11 years, noting how he goes between the city and Long Island.

"I've grown to really love living here," he said. "I feel a little bit like a New Yorker. I was very pleased to come tonight...to help the people so badly affected by the storm."

As for the show, Waters said, "There's a great feeling of camaraderie..it's not easy to organize something like this."

Waters was thrilled to team with Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder onstage: "Eddie was absolutely amazing. It that was like a dream come true...it was magical. I think i stopped singing to kiss him at one point, which is weird."

"It's more of a marathon than a race," he said about the rebuilding process.