TV Times

TV Times

Star- studded charity record for tsunami victims
A star-studded charity single ‘Grief Never Grows Old’ released last week, is aiming to raise more than £2m for tsunami aid for Sr Lanka. The song ‘Grief Never Grows Old, will features the voices of Sir Cliff Richard, Robin and Barry Gibb of Bee Gees and Boy George under the banner One World.

Backing is provided by Soul Sounds, a youth choir from Sri Lanka. The song written by former DJ Mike Read, all proceeds from the song will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). “The terrible news of the Asian tsunami cast a grim shadow over all our lives,” Sir Cliff said.

“I hope this record proves effective in raising further money for what will be an ongoing tragedy for a million or more survivors well beyond 2005.” Others who have lent their voices to the single include former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman, opera singer Russell Watson and ex-Beach Boy Brian Wilson.

The vocals were recorded in studios across the world including London, Las Vegas and Barbados. DEC is the umbrella charity co-ordinating fundraising for a number of UK agencies including Oxfam and Save the Children.

It was also the beneficiary of a massive concert in Cardiff on Saturday, which raised more £1.25m. More than 60,000 people packed into the city’s Mille-nnium Stadium to hear performances from the likes of the Manic Street Preachers, Keane and Eric Clapton.

Another charity record is also in the pipeline with Sharon Osbourne organising artistes from the UK and the US to sing on a cover version of Clapton’s Tears in Heaven, due for release in February. Among those who have pledged their support are Sir Elton John, Pink, Rod Stewart and Gwen Stefani.

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