NJ spruce lights up as Rockefeller Center tree

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has helped light the Rockefeller Center tree, an 80-foot Norway spruce that made it through Superstorm Sandy.

The tree was illuminated by more than 45,000 lights during a ceremony Wednesday night.

The tree comes from the Mount Olive, N.J., home of Joe Balku, who lost power and other trees during the storm at his residence about an hour outside of Manhattan.

The tree-lighting event included performances from Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Scotty McCreery, Il Volo, Victoria Justice and CeeLo Green.

The first Christmas tree was set up in 1931 by workers who were building Rockefeller Center. The first tree-lighting ceremony was held in 1933.