nbc's marc barger has details. >> it's gone. the entire jersey shore i knew is gone. >> reporter: jon bon jovi was back home in new jersey thursday, seeing up close the damage from hurricane sandy that he heard about while in london. >> to see your hometown devastated like this and people that i grew up with, my grammar school turned into a shelter, people's homes gone, and they are saying to me we are now homeless. ♪ >> reporter: that made his taking part in tonight's benefit concert to aid storm victims a no-brainer. >> people in other parts of our country feel that if they support us they know someday we're going to be supporting them. people come together in this time. ♪ hard times ♪ hard times >> reporter: another native son of new jersey bruce springsteen and long island are also scheduled to perform tonight along with the likes of sting and christina aguilera. >> my heart goes out to anyone suffering or going through a situation on such a large scale of loss. >> reporter: "today" show anchor matt lauer, himself a new york