Rockefeller Center Tree Illuminated at Star-Studded Ceremony

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For members of Prince’s 1980s backing band The Revolution, reuniting and hitting the road for a spring U.S. tour is how they are coping with the “Purple Rain” pop superstar’s unexpected death a year ago. “We’re taking it to the people who are grieving like we are, and letting them have a little bit of relief,” guitarist Wendy Melvoin, sitting on a couch with other members of the band during a break at their Minneapolis rehearsal space, said Wednesday. When Prince died of an accidental painkiller overdose, members of The Revolution were mourning at a Minneapolis hotel and made an impromptu video, promising to reunite for shows honoring their one-time flamboyant front man. After three sold-out shows at the fabled First Avenue nightclub (the setting of Prince’s hit 1984 movie “Purple Rain”) in September, The Revolution is back, preparing to kick off a tour Friday at Paisley Park in the Minneapolis suburb of Chanhassen on the anniversary of Prince’s death.

The Rockefeller Center tree was illuminated Wednesday night in one of New York City's greatest holiday traditions, capping a star-studded ceremony that lit up the plaza with favorite tunes and holiday cheer.

The flick of a switch brought a burst of color to all 85 feet and 13 tons of the 90-year-old Norway spruce from Pennsylvania just before 9 p.m., in the 82nd annual edition of the iconic tree-lighting ceremony.

Mariah Carey kicked off the event with a rendition of her number one smash hit "All I Want for Christmas Is You," before "Today" show hosts Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Natalie Morales introduced a star-studded lineup.

With its biggest star departing in another blowup over sexual harassment, Fox News faces some big challenges. It now has to show that it can hang on to its loyal army of conservative viewers, improve its working culture, and still continue to make big bucks for its corporate parent. The company said Wednesday that it had parted ways with longtime host Bill O'Reilly after a "thorough and careful review of allegations against him." Dozens of advertisers ditched "The O'Reilly Factor" after a New York Times report detailed $13 million in payouts to five women over his alleged abusive behavior; more allegations subsequently emerged. (O'Reilly denied the accusations.) O'Reilly's departure is the second big blow for conservatives' favorite news network in nine months.

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett crooned a jaunty duet on "Winter Wonderland," the pop star clad in a white fur gown with a neckline that belied the chilly December air, before the a capella group Pentatonix performed "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and Prince Royce sang "Jingle Bell Rock."

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They were followed by Broadway star (and "Let It Go" hitmaker) Idina Menzel belting "Holly Jolly Christmas" and then country star Darius Rucker performing the seasonal standard "White Christmas."

They were followed by Sara Bareilles, Seth MacFarlane, LeAnn Rimes and more, before country veteran Trisha Yearwood introduced the countdown to the tree's lighting with her own soulful performance.

Thousands packed Rockefeller Plaza for the event, even as throngs of protesters headed there, too, hours after a grand jury controversially decide not to indict a police officer for the caught-on-camera chokehold death of Eric Garner.

Mayor Bill de Blasio canceled his own expected appearance at the holiday spectacle after the news broke hours before it began. But the event continues as planned.

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