Richie Sambora and Alicia Keys record song for Sandy

Rocker RICHIE SAMBORA has recruited R&B star ALICIA KEYS for a charity song to raise money for the victims of superstorm Sandy.

The Bon Jovi bassist's native New Jersey was one of the areas hardest hit by the former hurricane in late October (12), when heavy wind and rain lashed the East Coast, wrecking the waterfront home he had purchased for his elderly mom.

Sambora felt compelled to help boost donations to aid the Red Cross' ongoing relief efforts, so he teamed up with the Empire State of Mind hitmaker for a cover of his song I'll Always Walk Beside You. The track has been made available to purchase online, with all proceeds benefiting the Red Cross.

He says, "I wrote a song and basically it's about standing by my home state of New Jersey."

Sambora befriended Keys after performing at her annual Black Ball charity gala last year (11).

Keys lost power in her New York home during Sandy and she is set to join the stellar line-up of the 12-12-12 Concert for Sandy Relief at Madison Square Garden on 12 December (12). Bruce Springsteen, Sir Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and Sambora's bandmate Jon Bon Jovi are also on the bill.