Iconic Stars Reveal Inspirations For Charity Calendar

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

British charity CLIC Sargent is to benefit from sales of a new calendar featuring the inspiration selections of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, Bono and other icons for the music world.

Music and entertainment specialist HMV is to mark the third anniversary of its acclaimed my inspiration campaign by featuring memorable highlights in a charity calendar for 2009/2010.

These include the my inspiration selections of Bob Dylan – who selected Scottish poet, Robert Burns; Bono and Paul McCartney, who, in turn, cite Bob Dylan as theirs; Paul Weller, who was first inspired by the songwriting of Lennon and McCartney; Bruce Springsteen, who was influenced by Blues performer Woodie Guthrie; and Deborah Harry, who found inspiration in the songs of Leonard Cohen.

My inspiration invites iconic and exciting new artists to share with their fans the song lyric or lines of verse that have inspired them in their life and in their work. The campaign began in September 2006, when David Bowie selected Syd Barrett’s Gigolo Aunt as his personal inspiration. Since that time well over 150 artists have taken part, ranging from Timbaland to the first lady of France, Carla Bruni, as well as new artists such as Lady Gaga and La Roux.

A key part of the calendar are the iconic black & white portraits of the participating artists taken by photographers who are themselves celebrated, such as Anton Corbijn, Fiona Freund, Dean Chalkley, Lawrence Watson, Adrian Boot and Frank Ockenfels 3 – making it a must not just for music fans and collectors, but for anyone with an appreciation of rock photography.

The A3-sized calendar comes with a foreword from Q Editor-in-Chief Paul Rees, and offers the added bonus of a full eighteen months worth of artist inspiration selections, starting from August 2009 with The Edge’s selection, covering all of 2010 and then ending in January 2011 with Metallica’s choice of their inspiration.

Click here to order.

Celebrities Give Big To Australian Fire Victims

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Canadian music legend Leonard Cohen has donated money to the victims of the terrible fires raging across southern Australia.

The fires have already claimed over 180 lives and almost 1,000 homes around Melbourne, and authorities fear the death rate could rise to over 300. Cohen, who is currently on tour in the country with Aussie icon Paul Kelly, has come to the aid of the thousands of homeless victims with a donation of AUS$200,000 (US$134,000).

“Leonard has loved his time in Australia on this tour and is shocked and deeply saddened by the news of the fires,” said tour promoter Michael Gudinski. “Leonard, Paul, their touring parties and everyone at AEGLive UK and The Frontier Touring Company wish to extend their heartfelt sympathies to those that have suffered the loss of loved ones or their homes through this terrible tragedy.”

The musicians are also collecting money from fans at their concerts.

Kylie Minogue is also reportedly considering hosting a benefit gig with her sister Dannii and fellow Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia in London.

“I think we should definitely talk about doing something like a fundraiser for those affected by the bushfires,” said Imbruglia.

The Australian and New Zealand teams have also stepped up to help and raised $6 million for the relief appeal at a one-day game in Adelaide on Tuesday night.

“We’ve actually decided as a group that we’re going to fly to Melbourne and get on a team coach and go out to Whittlesea and spend a few hours there to try and make things a fraction easier if we can,” said Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting.

People wishing to donate to the victims of this terrible tragedy should go to the Australian Red Cross website.

Look To The Stars News: Leonard Cohen

Iconic Stars Reveal Inspirations For Charity Calendar

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Celebrities Give Big To Australian Fire Victims

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