Look To The Stars News: The Edge

The Killers Play Surprise Charity Gig

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:30:00 -0000

The Killers played an unannounced acoustic set at the first of Mencap’s Little Noise Sessions in London on Saturday night.

The British rockers made their surprise appearance at a show that also featured Glasvegas, White Lies and Cage The Elephant. They played 3 songs, including Human, Smile Like You Mean It, and an inspired performance of Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Want to Have Fun.

Surprise acoustic performances are a traditional part of Mencap’s Little Noise Sessions. Last year, Bono and The Edge from U2 took to the stage unannounced and played four acoustic songs.

The sessions take place over eleven nights at Islington’s Union Chapel to raise money for the charity, which works with people who suffer from learning disabilities. Kasabian, Stereophonics, Keane, and Razorlight are all scheduled to perform over the next week and a half, and tickets are available from the Mencap Music website.

British Rockers To Go Acoustic For Mencap

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Kasabian, Stereophonics, Keane, and Razorlight have all signed up to perform at this year’s Mencap Little Noise Sessions which take place across eleven days in November.

The acoustic shows will take place at Islington’s Union Chapel to raise money for the charity, which works with people who suffer from learning disabilities.

“We are really looking forward to playing the show for the Little Noise Sessions on behalf of Mencap,“ said Kelly Jones from the Stereophonics. “To be able to do an acoustic show in such an intimate venue and be able to support such a worthy cause will be a really special thing to do and something we rarely get the chance to do. It will be beautiful.”

Of course, there is always the chance of a big surprise at the Mencap Little Noise concerts. Last year, Bono and The Edge from U2 took to the stage unannounced and played four acoustic songs.

DJ Jo Whiley will once again host the event, and tickets are available from the Mencap Music website.

Peter Gabriel To Receive Amnesty International Honor

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Peter Gabriel is to receive a special award for his humanitarian work today, September 10.

The 58-year-old singer has been named as the recipient of Amnesty International’s 2008 Ambassador of Conscience Award, an acolade that recognizes exceptional individual leadership in the fight to protect and promote human rights. Inspired by a poem written for Amnesty International by Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, the award aims to promote the work of the human rights organization by drawing attention to the work high profile people carry out, and former recipients include Nelson Mandela, U2, Mary Robinson and Vaclav Havel.

Gabriel is well known for his work with human rights around the world, and first worked with Amnesty when he helped organize the Conspiracy of Hope Tour with Bono in 1986. He went on to found Witness, a video community campaigning for Human Rights, and more recently became a founding member of The Elders – a private alliance of senior global figures who want to launch diplomatic assaults on the globe’s most intractable problems – along with Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Richard Branson, and Jimmy Carter.

The award will be presented at London’s Hard Rock Cafe by U2 guitarist The Edge, who credits Gabriel with introducing the Irish rockers to Amnesty International in the early 1980s. The event will also mark the launch of Amnesty International’s Small Places Tour 2008 , the organization’s most ambitious global music project since the Human Rights Now! tour in 1988. Details of the tour will be announced following the award presentation.

Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday Party Rocks London

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Jennifer Beckmann

Hyde Park was transformed into a giant birthday bash Friday night as 46,664 people joined “birthday boy” Nelson Mandela and a stellar lineup of entertainers to raise funds and awareness for his 46664 charity.

It had been raining on and off all day in London, but the skies cleared just in time for the once-in-a-lifetime lineup of musicians and entertainers to take the stage in honor of Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday. The event was hosted by an enthusiastic Will Smith, and performers included Jivan Gasparyan, Razorlight, the cast of Into the ‘Hoods, Sipho Mibuze, Leona Lewis, Zucchero, Suzanna Owiyo and D’Gary, Sugababes, Annie Lennox (who performed with the Agape Children’s Choir), Emmanual Jal, Vusi Mahlasela, Jamelia, Loyiso, Johnny Clegg, Joan Baez, Eddy Grant, Kurt Darren, Simple Minds, Brian May and Andrea Corr, Amy Winehouse, 9ice and Bebe Cool, Josh Groban, Amaral, and Queen and Paul Rodgers. The renowned Soweto Gospel Choir accompanied many of the acts. Additional entertainers who introduced the musical acts included Quincy Jones, Lewis Hamilton, Geri Halliwell, Peter Gabriel, Stephen Fry, and Jerry Dammers.

After Jivan Gasparyan opened the show with an instrumental piece to accompany a moving series of photographs of Mandela, Will Smith took to the stage with his wife Jada and announced, “The party starts now.” An energizing performance by Razorlight set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Quincy Jones introduced crowd favorite Leona Lewis, who sang her two top hits “Better in Time” and “Bleeding Love.” Lewis wished Mandela a happy birthday and told a touching story of how she and her family used to sing songs about him when she was young.

Other birthday wishes came via a film of various celebrities who were unable to attend, including David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Crow, Morgan Freeman, and Susan Sarandon.

Smith returned to the stage throughout the show, revving the crowd with a surprise performance of his song “Switch,” which included rap verses from his hit television show “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” Annie Lennox, a passionate HIV/AIDS activist and staunch supporter of Mandela’s charities, made a moving speech about a young girl she had met in Africa who was gravely ill with AIDS but was able to make a miraculous recovery thanks to proper treatment and care. Before and after images of the girl were shown on the large screens behind Lennox, who then performed a song with the Agape Children’s Choir. The crowd sang along as the lyrics “We are together… We are family” flashed across the screens.

Peter Gabriel introduced Emmanual Jal, a former child soldier in Sudan who sang a song dedicated to the British aid worker who rescued him and 150 other children. Gerri Halliwell introduced trailblazing South African music legend Johnny Clegg, who performed a duet with Joan Baez.

Immediately following this performance was the highlight of the night. Will and Jada Smith introduced the “birthday boy” himself, and Nelson Mandela was escorted onto the stage to thunderous cheers and applause. The concert performers gathered on stage and, together with the nearly 50,000 people in attendance, sang “Happy Birthday.”

Mandela waved to the crowd and made a brief, moving speech. “We say tonight after nearly 90 years of life, it’s time for new hands to lift the burdens,” he said. “It’s in your hands now, I thank you.”

Eddy Grant and Kurt Darren followed up Mandela’s appearance with “Give Me Hope Johanna,” a song Grant wrote during South Africa’s apartheid regime. Simple Minds performed, having also performed at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert at London’s Wembley Stadium in 1988; and celebrated English humorist Stephen Fry introduced Brian May and Andrea Corr. The most highly anticipated performance of the evening came next, as a recently hospitalized Amy Winehouse teetered onto the stage in platform heels to perform her hit songs “Rehab” and “Valerie.”

After a politically-fueled performance by Nigerian artist 9ice and Ugandan musician Bebe Cool – who appeared on stage in bright orange prison jumpsuits emblazoned with “46664” – Josh Groban sang with Vusi Mahlasela and the Soweto Gospel Choir. Spanish artists Amaral performed an acoustic number, and then Mandela and the audience were treated to a video of U2’s Bono and The Edge singing Stevie Wonder’s peppy rendition of “Happy Birthday.”

The penultimate act was Queen and Paul Rodgers, who performed a fan-friendly medley of Queen’s greatest hits, including “The Show Must Go On,” “We Will Rock You” and “We are the Champions.” The crowd sang and clapped along thunderously.

The concert’s finale featured anti-apartheid campaigner and musician Jerry Dammers, who organized the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute. Dammers and Winehouse led the entire line-up of performers and the crowd in singing Dammers’ anthem “Free Nelson Mandela.” Formerly sung in protest against Mandela’s imprisonment, the song took on a celebratory tone and was a fitting end to an historic event.

All proceeds from the concert will go to 46664, the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s campaign for global HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.

To send birthday wishes to Nelson Mandela – who turns 90 on 18 July – visit www.happybirthdaymandela.com. Proceeds from this birthday card campaign go to Nelson Mandela’s charities.

Icons Of Music Rock On For Charity

Mon, 26 May 2008 11:12:57 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The second annual Music Rising Icons Of Music auction will be held on 31 May at NYC’s Hard Rock Café, and is to broadcast live by the Auction Network.

Music Rising is a charity founded by U2’s The Edge, producer Bob Ezrin, and Gibson Guitars CEO Henry Juszkiewicz to help replace musical instruments that were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The auction will feature over 400 exciting lots, including one of The Edge’s famous 1976 Gibson Explorers (with an estimated price of $80,000), a Fender Stratocaster previously owned by David Gilmour, a snare drum signed by John Lennon, and Eric Clapton’s Roland G-505 guitar used on his Behind The Sun album and on tour with Roger Waters.

The evening will also feature a very special performance from four-time Grammy Award winner Aaron Neville, who has helped bring major attention to some of the charity work being done in New Orleans today. Neville lost everything in the storms of Katrina and brings a unique personal experience to Music Rising, giving guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness his great musicianship when he brings the spirit of New Orleans to the auction.

A limited number of tickets for the event are currently available for $250.00 each through either Ticketmaster or Hard Rock Cafe New York, with all proceeds going directly to Music Rising. Tickets include entry into the evening portion of the event, special catered services, and a complimentary Icons of Music II collectible auction catalog.

Highlights from the Icons of Music II auction have already toured the world, and have been seen at The Museo De La Moda in Santiago, Chile, The Museum of Style Icons in Ireland, and the Celebrity Vault in Beverly Hills. The auction lots will be on display at the Hard Rock Cafe New York from 11am to 10pm daily from Monday, May 26th – Friday, May 30th.

Other items include a hat once owned by Elvis Presley, Madonna’s high school yearbook, Elton John’s toaster, and Jimi Hendrix’s personalized guitar straps. The auction can be accessed at the Auction Network website.

Gates Talks Innovation, Philanthropy and Post-Retirement Plans

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:15:29 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Microsoft frontman Bill Gates spoke to students at Stanford earlier this month, praising young people for their innovation, and raising awareness for philanthropic work.

The talk began with a spoof video, during which Gates detailed his post-retirement plans. After retiring from his job at Microsoft later this year, Gates has a goal to break into the music industry. But, in the video, Jay-Z doesn’t have the heart to tell him that his chances are slim. And Bono tells him there is no chance of replacing The Edge as U2’s guitarist.

“Bill, we’ve, uh, we’ve talked about this before. We’re full up in the band, Bill. All positions are filled. I know… I know… I can’t just replace Edge because you got a high score on Guitar Hero.”

Bono continues, Office-style, “Bill’s always had a passion for music… and as long as it’s not my music, I’m fine with that.”

During the spoof, Gates also considers a career in film, and goes to director Steven Spielberg for help. Spielberg does what he can, though George Clooney isn’t so hot on the idea.

The video goes on to show Gates asking Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama if he can be their running mate, and finally calling Al Gore.

“No, it’s not an inconvenient time… Yeah, I get it. That was a good one,” says Gore.

After the video, Gates returned his Stanford talk to the topics at hand. “One of the best investments any company makes is in its research group and in the relationship its research group has with universities,” Gates said. “Students have really been at the heart of a lot of breakthroughs.” Microsoft announced that same day that it is making its software development tools available to high school and college students at no cost.

Gates then discussed his plans to work full-time with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, stating that his focal point is curing diseases, particularly life-threatening diseases in the Third World. He pointed out that there is a ratio of about 50 to 1 in the spending on finding a cure for baldness vs. finding a cure for malaria.

The foundation was famously pledged $37 billion by Warren Buffett in 2006, having already made grants totalling $10.5bn in the previous 12 years. Commenting on Buffett’s donation to the fund, Bill Gates said, “It is a big challenge to make sure this money gets used in the right way, but it is one we are thrilled about.” And soon, Gates will be dedicating his entire working day to doing just that.

U2 Plays Surprise Charity Gig

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 20:00:52 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Over 250 people were glad they braved the freezing London weather last week to attend one of the Mencap Little Noise Sessions charity concerts. Those who traipsed through the drizzle on Friday, November 23, were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime show when two members of U2 played unannounced as a warm up act at the gig.

Bono and The Edge played a set of four songs when they surprised concert-goers at the Union Chapel in North London, including “Stay (Faraway So Close)”, “Desire”, “Angel of Harlem”, and “Wave of Sorrow”, a song originally written in 1987 for the Joshua Tree album, but never released or played live before.

“Don’t tell Larry (Mullen Jr) and Adam (Clayton) we’ve done this,” joked Bono, referring to his absent band mates.

Rumors had reverberated around the music industry for a week that some special guests would appear at the gig, which also featured Scottish group Biffy Clyro. But no one in the audience had any idea who it would be until the duo walked on stage.

“They were actually really nervous beforehand,” said event host and BBC Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley. “After they came off stage, Bono asked me if they’d been OK, and they were also wondering whether the ‘new’ song had gone down well.”

The Mencap Little Noise Sessions are a series of concerts being held at the Union Chapel on 8 consecutive nights from November 20-27. Other artists to be involved in the acoustic gigs include Will Young, Snow Patrol, and Keane, and proceeds from the shows will go to help Mencap with running arts programs to help people with learning disabilities grow in confidence and ability.

Mencap, a non-profit organization founded in 1946, works with adults and children affected by learning disabilities, and fights to end discrimination and provide a wide range of services. Over 1.5 million people in the UK suffer from learning disabilities, which can cause difficulties in communication and doing everyday things. However, Mencap maintains that a learning disability will not prevent someone from achieving their dreams if they are given the right support.

More information on how to donate to Mencap or attend one of the remaining Little Noise Sessions can be found at www.mencap.org.uk.

Music Memorabilia Charity Auction Raises $2.4 Million

Tue, 01 May 2007 17:48:03 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

An auction of music memorabilia from celebrities including Jimi Hendrix, The Edge, Bono and Paul McCartney has raised $2.4 million, much of which will go to a charity for musicians.

Music Rising, whose founders include U2 guitarist The Edge, replaces musical equipment lost or destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The Edge donated his favourite guitar, a 1975 Gibson Les Paul that has been played on every U2 tour to date. Like many of the items sold, the guitar’s forecast sale price of $60,000 to $80,000 was greatly exceeded by the eventual winning bid of $288,000.

Further guitars owned by Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney were sold for $480,000, $192,000 and $81,600 respectively, while a pair of sunglasses belonging to Bono fetched $24,000.

Bidding at the auction on 21st April lasted three hours longer than planned, and all 204 lots were sold. 100% of the proceeds from many items will go directly to Music Rising, while other items were sold only partly to benefit the charity.

Green Day and U2 single to benefit Music Rising

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 15:13:32 -0000

Written by Hannah Coone

Two of the biggest bands in history are to release a joint single to benefit the rebuilding of New Orleans. Green Day and U2 got together for dinner in February to try and think of a project suitable for this cause. Seven months later, the bands met again in London at the studios in Abbey Road made famous by The Beatles, and tried a cover of ‘The Saints Are Coming’, originally recorded by The Skids in 1978.

On September 25th, Green Day and U2 gave the song its first live show at the reopening of the Louisiana Superdome, to support the New Orleans Saints’ first home game in the NFL since the Katrina disaster.

The Saints themselves had said they would like to play U2’s hit song ‘Beautiful Day’ before each match. So, U2 themselves performed the song to end the night’s pre-game show. “It’s a good song,” the Edge said. “I hope … for New Orleans it’s like the past is laid to rest and from now on, OK, we have a lot of problems to get over but now the party starts so ‘Beautiful Day’ is probably a fitting song.”

Before the night’s big game, Green Day took the stage and performed their hit single ‘Wake Me Up When September Ends’. Armstrong chose this song because “I think the sort of thing that it resonates is hope, you know.”

U2’s The Edge has already been making headlines with his charity Music Rising, a charity that replaces instruments lost by professional musicians in the disaster. This is something that Green Day front-man Billie Joe Armstrong is completely behind; “I think every musician who earns money doing what they do owes a little bit of a debt to New Orleans.”

“One year later, people continue to be devastated by Katrina’s effects,” Billie Joe Armstrong said in a news release. “We hope that by collaborating with U2, we’ll remind the public that people of the Gulf Coast are still suffering and still need help to rebuild their lives.”

The song will be released for digital download on October 30th and as a CD single on November 6th.

The Edge's Music Rising

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 17:32:20 -0000

Written by Hannah Coone

U2 guitarist The Edge and producer Bob Ezrin, who has worked with the likes of Pink Floyd and The Darkness, have teamed up to help musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Together with Gibson Guitars, the Guitar Center and charity MusiCares, the pair formed Music Rising in November 2005. The new charity’s primary goal is to replace every instrument lost to professional musicians in the Gulf Coast.

“New Orleans is a crucible for great music,” says the Edge. “The idea that it would be just a place of history for music is awful to me. Coming from Dublin in the Seventies, when music was something you had to search out, I’d never dreamt that somewhere like New Orleans could exist. Music was coming out of the walls. It seemed not just a form of escapism, but like it was weaved into everybody’s life.”

Bob Ezrin describes how he and The Edge were deeply affected by the disaster in New Orleans; “We both concluded instantly that the human disaster was indescribable, but what was being wiped out at the same time was the culture of the entire region.”

Gibson Guitars CEO Henry Juszkiewicz and Guitar Center CEO Marty Albertson contacted Ezrin and The Edge. They created a custom limited edition Gibson Les Paul guitar to raise money for flood victims. The founders pledged a minimum of $1 million for the sale of the guitar and to cover the design and manufacturing costs.

The original guitars sold out quickly at auction and Gibson are now planning a larger edition of a more affordable Music Rising Epiphone Casino to mark the charity’s one year anniversary. The original Casino model was used by John Lennon and George Harrison in The Beatles’ early years, and subsequently by Noel Gallagher of Oasis, and The Edge himself.

To date, Music Rising has provided more than 2,100 replacement instruments to professional musicians, donating over $2.1 million and winning coveted charity awards. The charity plans to extend its instrument replacement program to include local churches, marching bands and schools.

The Edge says, “Something should be done and not just because New Orleans deserves it, but because the world needs New Orleans.”

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