On March 17, 1990, That's What Friends Are For: Arista Records 15th Anniversary Concert—an AIDS benefit—was held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. One month later, CBS aired a two-hour version of the concert on television.

The celebrity guests and Arista label performers were: Air Supply, Lauren Bacall, Burt Bacharach, Eric Carmen, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Clive Davis, Taylor Dayne, Michael Douglas, Expose, Whoopi Goldberg, Melanie Griffith, Hall & Oates, Jennifer Holliday, Whitney Houston, Alan Jackson, Kenny G, Melissa Manchester, Barry Manilow, Jeffrey Osborne, Carly Simon, Patti Smith, Lisa Stansfield, The Four Tops, Milli Vanilli and Dionne Warwick.

Due to the number of star performers on the bill, Eric performed a shortened (but long on emotion) version of "All By Myself" at the grand piano on center stage. Over $2.5 million was raised that night for the Arista Foundation which gave the proceeds to various AIDS organizations.