Look To The Stars News: Phil Collins

Paul McCartney Honored As MusiCares Person Of The Year

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Beatles legend Paul McCartney was honored as the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year at a special event in Los Angeles on Friday, celebrating his exceptional artistic achievements as well as his philanthropic work.

The sold-out tribute to McCartney benefits MusiCares’ emergency financial assistance and addiction recovery programs. Proceeds from the annual Person of the Year tribute — now in its 22nd year — provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that members of the music community have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

Hosted by Eddie Izzard, performers included Cirque du Soleil, Tony Bennett, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Duane Eddy, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, James Taylor, Diana Krall, Neil Young with Crazy Horse, Sergio Mendes and Katy Perry. The evening also featured a special performance by 14-time GRAMMY winning artist and 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year Paul McCartney.

Stars To Come Out For Paul McCartney At Charity Gala

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:30:00 +0000

An impressive star-studded cast will come together to honor 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year honoree Paul McCartney during a sold-out gala on Feb. 10 in Los Angeles, two days prior to the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

Hosted by actor/comedian Eddie Izzard, artists set to perform are current GRAMMY nominees Tony Bennett, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, and Katy Perry; GRAMMY-winning artists Duane Eddy, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Diana Krall, James Taylor, and Neil Young with Crazy Horse; two-time Latin GRAMMY-winning artist Sergio Mendes; and the cast of Cirque du Soleil’s “Love” Beatles tribute show. The evening will also feature a special performance by McCartney.

The 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year gala, which will celebrate McCartney’s exceptional artistic achievements and philanthropic work, will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction sponsored by the Starkey Hearing Foundation that will offer an exclusive selection of luxury items, VIP experiences and celebrity memorabilia for bidding guests. The auction will be followed by a gala dinner sponsored by AEG Live, and a star-studded tribute concert sponsored by Acura/ELS. This year’s red-carpet press arrivals will be sponsored by Kinect for Xbox 360 and Dance Central 2. Other event supporters include CenterStaging — A SoundCheck LA Company, Classic Wines of California, Delta Airlines, Double Platinum, Gibson, Global Art, Heineken, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Jackson Limo, Korbel, Patron Spirits Company, Pepsi, and Sweetwater.

Stars Line Up For The Return Of The Secret Policeman's Ball

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:50:00 +0000

The Secret Policeman’s Ball is back – and its heading for America!

Amnesty International’s legendary charity show – featuring a plethora of music and comedy talent – will hit the Radio City Music Hall on March 4. Organizers have confirmed Coldplay, Russell Brand, Mumford & Sons, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart and Reggie Watts as part of the lineup, with more to come.

“We are so happy to be involved with the 2012 Secret Policeman’s Ball,” said Chris Martin of Coldplay. “We have followed and supported Amnesty International – and the amazing work they do around the world in the field of human rights – for years, and it is a pleasure to be asked to contribute to such an inspiring event.”

Paul McCartney To Perform At MusiCares Person Of The Year Event

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Legendary singer/songwriter, 14-time Grammy winner and 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year honoree Paul McCartney is set to perform at the sold-out star-studded tribute concert, taking place in Los Angeles during Grammy Week on Feb. 10.

The MusiCares Person of the Year tribute is one of the most prestigious events held during GRAMMY Week. Proceeds from the dinner and concert will provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

Cook Like Cliff Richard And Phil Collins For Kidney Research Charity

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Kidney Research UK has published a special cookbook, containing recipes from some of the nation’s favourite celebrities, to help fund research into kidney disease.

Longstanding corporate sponsors L&F Jones produced the book in aid of the Charity, with employees from both organisations submitting recipes to accompany those from stars such as Phillip Schofield, Carol Vorderman, Adrian Chiles and even Sir Cliff Richard.

The cookbook, which contains 100 mouth-watering dishes, is available to buy through Kidney Research UK’s new online shop, with all proceeds going to fund further research into the treatment and prevention of kidney disease.

Music Icons To Rock For The Prince's Trust

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:15:00 +0000

Boy George, The Feeling and Pete Townshend are among the artists on board to rock the Royal Albert Hall next month for The Prince’s Trust Rock Gala supported by Novae.

The gala – one of the most important fundraisers in The Prince’s Trust calendar – will take place on 23 November to raise vital funds for the charity’s work with disadvantaged young people.

Pete Townshend To Headline Charity Rock Gala

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:45:00 +0000

Rock legend Pete Townshend will be joined by a plethora of acts at a very special celebrity charity concert in London next month.

The Prince’s Trust Rock Gala 2011 will feature the legendary The Who guitarist in a lineup that also includes YolanDa Brown, Kenney Jones, Mark King, Julian Lennon, Cerys Matthews, Imelda May, comedian and musician Tim Minchin, Charlie Siem and Midge Ure. More acts are yet to be announced.

Twiggy Says No To Animal Cruelty

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:00:00 +0000

British modeling legend Twiggy is the latest star to make a stand against UK store Fortnum & Mason’s decision to keep selling foie gras in the face of international condemnation.

The iconic model has written a letter to the store’s managing director, Beverly Aspinall, urging her to stop stocking the product, which is a pâté made from the livers of ducks and geese. Twiggy is campaigning against the cruel way producers fatten the livers – up to two kilograms of mash are pumped into the birds’ stomachs through a pipe two or three times a day. The pipes sometimes puncture the birds’ throats, causing the animals to bleed to death. Last week, The Mentalist star Owain Yeoman also protested against the store’s continued stocking of the product.

“I find it shocking that Fortnum & Mason would sell the horribly cruel product of goose torture known as foie gras,” writes Twiggy. "A product so barbaric that its production is banned in the UK and in more than a dozen other countries. Anyone who has watched PETA’s undercover footage of geese and ducks as they are force-fed several times a day via a pipe until their livers swell to many times their normal size cannot fail to be appalled. Foie gras has no place on British store shelves or menus, let alone in a shop that so blatantly trades on its British heritage.

Mentalist Star Protests Against Animal Cruelty

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +0000

The Mentalist star Owain Yeoman recently led a protest in his native Britain against a store that continues to sell Foie Gras in the face of international condemnation.

Foie Gras is a pâté made from the livers of ducks and geese, and the actor is campaigning against the cruel way producers fatten the livers – up to two kilograms of mash are pumped into the birds’ stomachs through a pipe two or three times a day. The pipes sometimes puncture the birds’ throats, causing the animals to bleed to death.

Charles And Camilla Rock The Royal Albert Hall For Charity

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall attended a massive charity rock concert in London last night to benefit the Prince’s Trust.

Phil Collins, Tom Jones, Jamie Cullum, Eric Clapton, Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor, Status Quo, Live Aid creator Midge Ure and many others hit the stage at the Royal Albert Hall on November 17 for the charity’s Rock Gala 2010. The evening was hosted by comedian Rob Brydon, Barry Humphries as his hilarious alter ego Dame Edna Everage. The show was filmed in 3D for a future release.

In the 1980s The Prince’s Trust was synonymous with the Rock Gala. The fundraising concerts were created when the UK economy was gripped by inflation, strikes and high unemployment following recession. Britain’s youth had little hope and no future. The Trust called upon supporters including Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Brian May and Tina Turner to form ‘super groups’, raising money to help the most disadvantaged young people.

Rock Legends To Hit Royal Albert Hall For Charity

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:30:00 +0000

The Prince’s Trust has announced details of a unique fundraising concert to take place in London later this year, featuring some of rock’s greatest living legends.

Eric Clapton, Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor, Status Quo, Live Aid creator Midge Ure and many others will hit the stage at the Royal Albert Hall on November 17 for the charity’s Rock Gala 2010. The evening will be hosted by the best in comedy, multi-award winning actor and comedian Rob Brydon, Barry Humphries as his hilarious alter ego Dame Edna Everage and the master of mimicry, Alistair McGowan.

In the 1980s The Prince’s Trust was synonymous with the Rock Gala. The fundraising concerts were created when the UK economy was gripped by inflation, strikes and high unemployment following recession. Britain’s youth had little hope and no future. The Trust called upon supporters including Phil Collins, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Brian May and Tina Turner to form ‘super groups’, raising money to help the most disadvantaged young people.

Roger Moore Steps Up Battle Against Foie Gras

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Former James Bond star Roger Moore is continuing his fight against British supermarkets that stock Foie Gras by paying for and appearing in a new PETA ad placed outside the entrance to Selfridges Food Hall in central London.

The actor originally had a different image from the one used in mind, but the advertising agency deemed it as offensive.

Celebrity Paw Prints A Big Winner For Cat Charity

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:30:00 +0000

The UK’s largest feline welfare charity, Cats Protection, has been overwhelmed by the success of this year’s Celebrity Paws auction, which has raised a staggering £2,473.58 for unwanted cats and kittens in the UK.

This year’s most popular ‘paw prints’ were from singer Alison Goldfrapp, which was sold for £502.00, musical legend Phil Collins, which was sold for £430.00 and Top Gear presenter James May, which was sold for £271.00.

Chrissie Hynde And Phil Collins Lead Celebrity Paws Charity Auction

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Rock icon Chrissie Hynde, along with many other stars, is showing her support for unwanted moggies by donating her ‘paw’ print to the UK’s leading feline welfare charity Cats Protection.

Chrissie Hynde, who is best known as front-woman for The Pretenders, is among a long list of celebrities taking part in this year’s Celebrity Paws auction, which will run from 1 October to 10 October. Other supporters include musical legend Phil Collins, Alexei Sayle, Sir David Jason, Sir Jimmy Savile, Richard Wilson, Pam Ferris, John Challis, Tony Robinson, Tony Christie, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Bruce Forsyth CBE, Timmy Mallett, James May, Felicity Kendal, Su Pollard, Danny John-Jules, Sean Hughes, Kim Woodburn, Alison Goldfrapp and Roger Lloyd Pack.

Love Our Children USA Launches Blue Shirt Day To Stomp Out Bullying

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Love Our Children USA has announced that NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proclaiming October 5th Blue Shirt Day to signify the importance of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week, October 4th – 10th.

Thousands of kids and adults will wear blue shirts as they make their way to school or to the office on October 5 as a grassroots national movement to STOMP Out Bullying.

Prince Charles Thanks Celebrities For Charity Support

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Prince Charles thanked a number of high-profile celebrities for their support of his Prince’s Trust this week by holding a special garden party at his Highgrove home near Tetbury, in Gloucestershire.

Along with the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles wined and dined over 100 guests, including Phil Collins – the Trust’s first ambassador – as well as Bryan Adams, Phillip Schofield, Gary Lineker, Sir Ben Kingsley, Jenson Button, Amanda Burton, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jeremy Irons, Joss Stone, Kate Adie, Aleisha Dixon and many others. The celebrity ambassadors were given a tour of the Highgrove estate in the late summer sun before lunching on asparagus and pea risotto followed by summer berries with pannacotta.

“I have been a Prince’s Trust ambassador for going back 20 years and it is has been a real privilege to be able to meet people who have benefited from the scheme and turned their life around,” said Gary Linekar.

Eric Clapton Signs Guitar For Leukaemia Children

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:30:00 +0000

A guitar signed by Eric Clapton was just one of the items that were featured in a charity auction held in the UK last weekend that raised over £6,000 (US$8,500) for Children With Leukaemia.

The guitar – which was also signed by Mike Rutherford from Genesis and Procol Harum singer Gary Brooker – went under the hammer for £500 at the event, held in Norwich. Also up for auction was a guitar signed by Green Day, which sold for £840, and a Clapton-signed DVD of a Cream reunion at the Albert Hall that sold for £200.

Children With Leukaemia is the UK’s leading charity dedicated exclusively to fighting Britain’s biggest childhood cancer. For more than 20 years, they have been helping children affected by leukaemia. They fund research into causes and treatments, support families through welfare programmes and campaign on their behalf. Their current fundraising campaign is being fronted by British celebrity Chris Tarrant, and the charity also enjoys support from Jonathan Ross, Judi Dench, Phil Collins, Joanna Lumley, Paul McCartney and many more.

Stars Redesign Mickey Mouse Ears For Charity

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:00:00 +0000

A host of British celebrities have redesigned the famous ears of Mickey Mouse for an auction to benefit the Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK.

Phil Collins, Geri Halliwell, Estelle, Daisy Lowe, John Terry, Amir Khan, Luella Bartley and Giles Deacon are just some of the names that have taken up the challenge of redesigning the iconic ears, with the auction being launched on May 5.

According to Sky News, Collins revealed he drew inspiration from his musical skills for his creation, which are in the shape of a golden drum kit with “some bald bloke playing the drums” in the middle.

Classic Rockers Join Led Zep Guitarist For Charity

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Some of the biggest names in classic rock have donated items to an auction that benefits a charity supported by one of their contemporaries.

Task Brazil is a UK-based charity established in 1992 that improves the lives and supports the needs of children and pregnant teenage girls living on the streets of Brazil. The charity received a huge boost in 1997 when Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, who witnessed first hand the deprivation of the children and troubles in the favelas whilst playing in Rio de Janeiro, made a massive donation. The money was used to buy a plot of land in Santa Teresa on which ‘Casa Jimmy’ was built to provide a safe and happy home for a lucky few of the abandoned children.

The current auction features loads of Led Zep items signed by Page, as well as guitars signed by Slash and the Eagles’ Joe Walsh, and items signed by Phil Collins, Bob Geldof, Iron Maiden and many others.

Robin Gibb To Headline Heritage Ball

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Former Bee Gee Robin Gibb has announced that he will headline the Heritage Foundation’s annual Awards and Summer Ball in June.

The singer will perform with Bill Wyman and The Rhythm Kings at the event, to be held at the Millenium Hotel in London on June 20.

Gibb is a longtime supporter of the Heritage Foundation, an organization that aims to combine paying tribute to Britain’s wealth of talent who have bought pleasure and joy to millions through their performances or technical skills with raising funds for good causes. He is also the 2009 president of the organization, a position that in the past has been held by celebrities such as Phil Collins, Norman Wisdom, and Ernie Wise.

Phil Collins Joins Drummers For Charity Auction

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:00:00 +0000

If you are a fan of drummers, why not have a bash at the fabulous new charity auction being held right now at www.buyoncegivetwice.co.uk.

A selection of drums signed by bands and drummers are currently going under the hammer (or should that be drumstick?) to benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust. Snares, cymbals, toms and bass drums autographed by Phil Collins, Sting and The Police, Elton John, Iron Maiden, Kasabian, Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and members of backing bands for Pink and Paul Weller are all on offer for a very limited time.

“I’m delighted to be supporting Teenage Cancer Trust’s Drummer Night auction and hope it will raise as much cash as possible for the charity,” said Mark Schulman, backing drummer for Pink. “I am a cancer survivor myself, as is my ex-wife, Kelly. I understand the challenges that patients go through, and I want to use my credibility as a drummer to raise awareness about such issues. I hope the auction can help raise enough money so that teenagers and young people going through cancer have access to specialized treatment centres, like those provided by Teenage Cancer Trust.”

Bid2Beat AIDS For Special Christmas Gifts

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:00:00 +0000

One of the biggest celebrity charity auction events of the year is currently gearing up for its launch on December 1.

Bid2Beat AIDS is an annual event that will feature over 1000 items from top stars such as 50 Cent, Adam Sandler, Adrian Grenier, Aerosmith, Alec Baldwin, Amy Winehouse, Antonio Banderas, Britney Spears, Cameron Diaz, Common , Death Cab for Cutie, Denzel Washington, P. Diddy, Donny Osmond, Elton John, Fall Out Boy, Foo Fighters, Good Charlotte, Green Day, Hanson, Hilary Duff, Jake Gyllenhaal, James Blunt, James Earl Jones, James Morrison, Jamie Foxx, Jay-Z , Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jeremy Piven, Jessica Alba, John Legend, Johnny Depp, Kanye West, Kirsten Dunst, Ludacris , M.I.A., Madonna, Mariah Carey, Neil Patrick Harris, Ozzy Osbourne, Phil Collins, Raven Symone, Razorlight, Rihanna , Sacha Baron Cohen, Sharon Osbourne, Victoria Beckham, Whoopi Goldberg, Will Ferrell, Wyclef Jean, and many, many more. Also up for grabs will be VIP tickets to concerts and backstage visits with stars like Bernadette Peters, Jewel, Aimee Mann, Joan Rivers, and Michael Feinstein.

The annual auction will raise money for LIFEbeat, the music industry’s AIDS fundraising and service charity. The first three BID 2 BEAT AIDS auctions raised nearly $250,000, and this year’s looks set to be the biggest yet.

Phil Collins Fights For Ducks And Geese

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:00:00 +0000

British music legend Phil Collins has slammed UK department store Selfridges for selling a controversial French delicacy.

The singer has sent a letter on behalf of PETA to the chain’s chairman pleading for them to pull their stocks of foie gras – a pâté made from the livers of ducks and geese – from their shelves.

“You probably know that every animal protection group in the world condemns foie gras as cruelty to the birds, with 15 countries actually banning its production,” writes the 57-year-old. "As you can imagine, the scientific consensus has to be very strong for a country to ban the production of something, but indeed, foie gras production is really that cruel. A description of foie gras production is not for the faint of heart. To force-feed the birds, pipes are rammed down their throats a few times per day. Many times, the pipes puncture the birds’ throats, and the animals bleed to death. This cruel procedure causes the birds’ livers to become diseased and swell up to 10 times their normal size. Birds that don’t die became sick and lethargic, and indeed, death rates skyrocket during the force-feeding time.

Andre Agassi Grand Slam For Kids This Weekend

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Rod Stewart, Sheryl Crow, The Killers and David Spade will headline the 13th annual Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children benefit concert in Las Vegas this weekend.

“I’m thrilled to have so many amazing performers donate their talents to help us help children,” said Agassi. “We look forward to celebrating with our partners what we’ve accomplished in Las Vegas with the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy and our future efforts to transform public education for underserved children nationwide.”

The concert will raise funds for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, which provides recreational and educational opportunities for at-risk boys and girls. The concert will be preceded by an invitation-only concert tonight – October 10 – featuring James Taylor and Five For Fighting’s John Ondrasik.

Eat From Your Favorite Celebrity's Plate!

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:35:18 +0000

“Let them eat cake,” said Marie-Antoinette, the Queen consort of Louis XVI, and now you have the chance to do just that – eat cake from a plate designed and signed by one of Tinsletown’s finest.

The auction, currently underway at the Auction Wire website, features one-of-a-kind plates from stars such as Harrison Ford, Tom Hanks, and Carmen Electra, and is raising money for the Parkinson Society Maritime Region – an organization in Canada that aims to be the voice of Maritimers living with Parkinson’s disease. Funds will be used to supply services such as exercise programs, speech therapy, massage therapy, conferences, and workshops, and will also be used towards the National Research Program of the Parkinson Society Canada.

“The Parkinson Society is thrilled that so many celebrities from a variety of backgrounds – movies, television, politics, the arts – have come together to raise awareness of Parkinson’s and raise funds through this auction of celebrity designed plates,” said Paul McNair, executive director of the Parkinson Society Maritime Region.