Look To The Stars News: Barry Gibb

Kylie Minogue Leads The Stars In Australian Charity Concerts

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Over 120,000 people attended the Sound Relief fundraising concerts in Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday, March 14, to raise money for victims of devastating fires and floods in Australia.

The concerts have raised over AUS$5 million to go towards the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Fund Appeal and Queensland flood relief efforts, with some of the world’s greatest entertainers turning on performances of a lifetime for a good cause.

Coldplay, Jack Johnson, Taylor Swift, Kings Of Leon, Neil Finn and Crowded House, and Kasey Chambers were just some of the artists that entertained the crowds, which included celebrities such as Toni Collette, David Wenham and Shane Warne. Kylie Minogue appeared at the Melbourne concert with a special rendition of I Still Call Australia Home, and the Sydney concert was closed by Olivia Newton-John and Barry Gibb, who performed Islands In The Stream and a wide range of Bee Gees hits. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin also joined Aussie legend John Farnham on stage for a duet on You’re The Voice.

“I was ready and I think the cause is so great – it’s essential,” said Barry Gibb, who flew in from the US the day before the concert. “I think we all need to be incensed about what happened and I think we need to care and I think we need to make the statement, so [that’s why] we’re here.”

Prince William and Prince Harry also made their first ever Australian address – via video – telling the crowds that they could “only imagine” what victims were going through and asked people not to forget the “amazing efforts” of the emergency services.

“It was a day for the ages, an event like no other that will live in the hearts of many Australians for generations to come,” said concert organizers, who went on to say that it was the biggest paying audience at any Australian concert or charity event ever. Millions more heard the concert on television and radio.

Among other bands to perform on the night were reunions of Hunters And Collectors, Icehouse, Split Enz, and Midnight Oil.

Bees Gees To Be Honored At Variety Club Dinner

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The two remaining members of the Bee Gees – Robin and Barry Gibb – are to recieve a special award from the Variety Club later this year.

The brothers Gibb will be honored with the charity’s highest accolade, the Silver Heart Tribute Award, in recognition of their outstanding services to the music industry and charity over the last half century.

“This event will be the highest profile Variety Club event of 2009,” said Lyn Staunton, Development Director for the Variety Club North West. “The Bee Gees are loved and respected worldwide and the Variety Club are honored and delighted that they are accepting this prestigious award in their home city of Manchester. Because we knew they were celebrating 50 years in showbusiness this year, we were especially keen to get everybody together for this event and it’s set to be a fantastic night.”

Joining Barry and Robin at the event – to be held at the Palace Hotel in Manchester on July 24 – will be their 88-year-old mother Barbara, as well as Yvonne Gibb, the widow of Maurice Gibb.

For 60 years Variety Club Children’s Charity has been helping sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people. They offer services such as “Sunshine Coaches” (minibuses for educational and fun outings) and also fund major hospital appeals. Each year the Variety Club donates electric wheelchairs, specialist beds, car seats, sensory equipment, standing frames and many other items that can change the life of a child in need.

Only 500 tickets are available to the event and can be obtained from Judi Davies at the Variety Club on 0161 236 0500 or via email through varietyclubnw@ btconnect.com. Prices range from £125-£500 and includes a three course meal.

Barry Gibb To Play At Love And Hope Ball

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Treat your Valentine to an unforgettable evening complete with fabulous food, spectacular décor, music, dancing and more at the Love and Hope Royal Ball. This black-tie gala will reach its pinnacle when former Bee Gee Barry Gibb takes the stage, along with a 9-piece band, including his son, Stephen Gibb.

Scheduled to be held at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood on February 14, this anniversary occasion will celebrate the 35th year of Love and Hope, whose mission it is to support the cure-focused work of the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI).

For decades, Gibb and his wife, Linda, have served as Love and Hope International Chairmen, as well as honorary members of the DRI Foundation’s board of directors. Following in the steps of their parents, the Gibb children, Stephen and Gloria, Ashley and Therese, Travis and Stacey, Michael, and Ali Gibb, pledged to continue the Gibb legacy as they debuted as the first Young Society Honorees at last year’s Love and Hope Ball.

This year, you can make Valentine’s Day memories at the Love and Hope Royal Ball. Seating is limited; don’t wait to reserve your tickets. The cost is $500 per person. Contact the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation today at 800.321.3437. Visit DiabetesResearch.org for more information.

The Diabetes Research Institute, a center of excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is a recognized world leader in cure-focused research. Since its inception in the early 1970s, the DRI has made significant contributions to the field of diabetes research, pioneering many of the techniques used in islet transplantation. From innovations in islet isolation and transplant procedures to advances in cell biology and immunology, the DRI is now harnessing the power of emerging technologies to develop new cell-based therapies to restore insulin production. For the millions of families already affected by diabetes who are looking to the world of science for answers, the Diabetes Research Institute is the best hope for a cure.

Olivia Newton-John Kept Busy With Charity Work

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Australian superstar Olivia Newton-John raised over $2 million for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre when she walked the length of the Great Wall of China in April. But her work hasn’t stopped there, and she has been busy with a number of charity initiatives recently – all in the name of raising cancer awareness.

Last week the four-time Grammy winner announced a partnership with Curves – the world’s largest fitness franchise for women – to launch an international campaign to distribute 1 million units of Liv Aid, a breast self-exam aid. The initiative’s goal is to empower and encourage women to take control of their bodies and breast health as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“Being a breast cancer ‘thriver,’ I know that early detection is key to good breast health,” said the 59-year-old, who was diagnosed with cancer in 1992. “My wish is that all women age 20 and above perform monthly breast self-examinations. With the wonderful support of Curves, an organization whose mission statement is ‘strengthening women,’ I hope that this campaign will be the beginning to have the Liv Aid available to every woman in the U.S. and it will become a staple in every medicine cabinet in the next five years.”

The packs will be available for free exclusively from Curves in the US, and a website – www.liv.com – will also be set up as a one-stop source for information, news and education about breast health and early detection.

The singer is also set to relive her Grease days when she performs the iconic hit Summer Nights with Guy Sebastian at a fundraising concert later this month.

A host of Australian celebrities – including Christine Anu, Kate Ceberano, Tim Freedman, Melinda Schneider, James Reyne, Axle Whitehead and Daryl Braithwaite – will join Newton-John at the Olivia Newton-John and Friends Gala Fundraiser at the Sydney State Theatre on September 30 to raise money for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre Appeal.

“It’s going to be really fun night, with a lot of really talented people, and I get to sing with a few of them, so that will be great fun,” said Newton-John. “I also hope to do Courageous with Melinda [Schneider] because we recorded it together and it’s such a beautiful song.”

The appeal is aiming to build a world class cancer centre at Melbourne’s Austin Hospital, with construction set to begin next year.

“I believe we’re going to be breaking ground next year, so I can’t wait to hit the pick axe first,” she said. “I don’t know the timeline yet, but we’re getting some major grants coming through, so that’s really exciting.”

The concert follows the release of the singer’s charity CD, Olivia Newton-John and Friends – A Celebration in Song. Released last month and available through Amazon, the CD features duets with a range of stars, including Keith Urban, Barry Gibb, Delta Goodrem, Jimmy Barnes, Jann Arden, RyanDan, Richard Marx and Cliff Richard.

A portion of the proceeds from the album will also go to the The Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre to provide world-class research into all types of cancer.

How Deep Is Barry Gibb's Love?

Thu, 01 May 2008 10:45:19 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Miami Beach Community Health Center is offering free health screenings all this week thanks to the celebrity board co-chairman of the Miami Beach Health Foundation, Bee Gee Barry Gibb.

He of the falsetto voice wants to draw attention to those without access to healthcare or health insurance, and believes this week will go a long way in the fight to help the 2.5 million Floridians that lack health insurance coverage.

“Everybody has access to healthcare, but too many have to go without,” said the former Bee Gee. “This is our community, make the commitment to care.”

The free health screenings take place all this week at clinics in Miami Beach, North Miami and Little Haiti, and include blood and cholesterol check-ups, stress management and relaxation techniques, prescription drug reviews, and HIV tests.

“We know that there is a tremendous need to provide medical services for the uninsured, underinsured, and underserved members of our community,” said Kathryn Abbate, CEO at the Miami Beach Community Health Center. “For the past 30 years, the Miami Beach Community Health Center has become the `healthcare safety-net’ for so many, and with a downward economic trend, we see our role even greater to meet the healthcare needs of our community.”

To see a video of Barry Gibb talking about the Miami Beach Health Foundation, visit their website.

The singer also recently attended an event to celebrate the launch of the Young Society of Love and Hope, a new division of the Diabetes Research Institute in Miami. The evening included cocktails, a presentation of the Just Cavalli 2008 Fall Collection, and a talk from Randi Caster, a woman who had dealt with Type 1 diabetes for her entire life and eventually received a islet cell transplant through the work and research at the DRI.

And if that does not prove how deep Gibb’s love is, he has also donated a signed guitar to a Miami police raffle to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Tickets can be purchased from Lori Freedline in the Training Unit of the Police Department, phone ext. 5869, and the winner will be drawn this Saturday, May 3.

Look To The Stars News: Barry Gibb

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