Look To The Stars News: The Who

A Funny Thing Happened...

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Scarlett Johansson was among the incredible list of stars showing their support at the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s annual benefit, A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to Cure Parkinson’s.

Along with her husband, Ryan Reynolds (who recently ran the NYC Marathon for Fox’s foundation), Johansson joined Michael J. Fox, Elizabeth Berkley, Martin Scorsese and Ben Stiller at the New York event.

A performance by The Who ensured that the evening rocked as guests mingled and raised awareness and funds for the charity.

In previous years, the event has raised between $4 and $6 million in a single night—this year’s total is yet to be announced.

Fox founded the organization after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1991. To date, the foundation has funded $128 million in research for a cure.

Roger Daltrey Rocks Village With Charity Gig

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Roger Daltrey rocked a field of fans at a small charity gig last week.

Frontman for The Who, Daltrey played to 400 people who packed themselves into a huge tent at West Well Farm in the sleepy English village of Tingewick – about 20 miles from Oxford – to raise money for some local charities, including MacMillan Cancer Support, Florence Nightingale House, and the Oxford Kidney Unit.

The singer performed for 75 minutes in a lineup of musicians that included members of Deep Purple, Ringo Starr’s son, Zac, and famed session musician Robbie McIntosh.

The annual event – known as the Party in the Paddock and held every year since 2006 – has raised over US$100,000 for charity.

Roger Daltrey Launches Arsenal's New Charity Partner

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

English football club Arsenal has kicked off their new charity partnership with a little help from a famous rocker.

The Who’s frontman Roger Daltrey joined the club earlier this week at a special event to launch the Teenage Cancer Trust as the club’s new Charity of the Season. The Trust replaces TreeHouse, who reaped the benfits of being their chosen charity last year.

The partnership was launched at the charity’s specialist unit at University College Hospital in Euston, and the club hopes to raise £300,000 (US$600,000) to go towards a new education zone in the hospital.

“It was great to kick-off the partnership today and give the teenagers a chance to meet their idols,” said Daltrey, who is patron of the Trust. “I have been fighting for this cause for many years and I can’t think of a better partnership.”

He was joined at the launch by Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, who was also excited at the possibilities the partnership represents.

“We look forward to working with Teenage Cancer Trust this year and raising vital funds to help… teenagers fight cancer,” he said.

The club will hold a series of fundraising events over the course of the upcoming football season, including a designated match day and the Annual Arsenal Charity Ball.

Who Wants To Be A Roadie For The Who?

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Following last week’s announcement that they are to donate the proceeds from an upcoming concert to charity, classic British rockers The Who are offering one lucky fan the chance to roadie for them on their new tour in a special online auction to raise money for a charity that inspires at-risk youth with the assistance of homeless shelter dogs.

Fans are already bidding over $20,000 for the opportunity to join the band on the road and hang out with Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend on their US tour. But that’s not all that’s on offer: bidders also have the chance to pick up signed memorabilia from Bob Dylan, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Harrison Ford, David Gray, Robert Plant, Kevin Spacey, Tom Hanks, Hilary Duff, Justin Long, Tori Spelling, and Hayden Panettiere.

The auction, which runs until August 24 and can be accessed through Ebay Giving Works, is raising money for K9 Connection, a charity that allows at-risk 12- to 18-year-old children train homeless shelter dogs in basic obedience, assisting the dogs to develop the skills to become adoptable. The organization aims to empower high-risk youth to apply the lessons they teach the dogs to their own lives: to develop an awareness of the risks of uncontrolled and impulsive behavior, and to believe in the power of positive reinforcement as an alternative to force and violence.

“Be a Who roadie for a day,” said Roger Daltrey, lead singer for The Who, known for their habit of destroying their equipment onstage. “And if you get the job – good luck… you’re gonna need it!”

The Who To Donate Concert Proceeds

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Classic rock band The Who will donate all of the proceeds from an upcoming concert to charity.

According to their website, the band’s October 21 show at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan will benefit Detroit charities Gleaners Community Food Bank and Focus: Hope.

“The first gig we ever played in the U.S. was in Detroit and we have always had an affinity with this part of the country,” said singer Roger Daltrey. “Pete Townshend and I are very aware of the problems people are having in Michigan and feel we should give something back for all the support we have had over the last 40 years.”

The Who are well known for their charity work. In the past they have raised almost £3 million (US$6 million) for the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT), which has been used to build specialist cancer units.

“Seventy per cent of young people with cancer still don’t have access to a TCT Unit,” said Daltrey. “I am working with other members of The Who to break through red tape and get specialist cancer wards built for teenagers suffering from this terrible disease. These units are a right, not a privilege. We all know that without teenagers, without their energy and their passion for music, we wouldn’t have rock and roll as we know it. It is our duty to fight for this group and give them a voice within the National Health Service.”

The band also established Double O – a charity focused mainly on drug and alcohol damage, domestic violence, sexual abuse, music education, emergency relief for International disasters, and young people’s prison reform – in 1976.

Tickets for the Michigan concert are available now from Ticketmaster.

Pete Doherty Inspires Young Cancer Sufferer

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The press sometimes gives celebrities a hard time, concentrating on their problems rather than celebrating the good things that they do. One recent victim has been singer Pete Doherty, who has been quietly helping sick teenagers – such as 16-year-old British schoolboy Dan Squires, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer last November – without any publicity. Doherty not only invited the boy to one of his Babyshambles gigs, but also struck up a friendship with him.

“I only expected a meet-and-greet, but I got my own dressing room, watched the whole gig from the stage, hung out with the band afterwards and then got taken to the after-show party,” said Squires, who suffered a stroke last month and is now confined to a wheelchair. “It was incredible what they did because they didn’t need to do that.”

Squires, who has also met Oasis star Noel Gallagher and The Who’s Roger Daltrey, took gifts to one of Doherty’s gigs last week, and was surprised at the band’s response.

“I took them each a friendship bracelet for what they’ve done for me, and Pete just took off the bracelet he was wearing and gave it to me,” he told Journal Live. “He had also brought a book and signed the inside cover with a special message. It’s just lovely. I couldn’t believe it. I feel very privileged.”

Doherty also dedicated a recent concert to Squires and pledged to help raise more funds for his treatment.

“All of us have just been incredibly inspired by the Squires family’s stoicism and Dan’s bravery,” said the band’s manager, Adrian Hunter. “And [also] how well he is dealing with the card that life has dealt him.”

Doherty also surprised concert-goers at a Teenage Cancer Trust concert two weeks ago, when his band took to the stage unannounced in London. He had designed a pair of sneakers that were auctioned by the charity, and rushed straight to the gig from Sweden.

“Teenage Cancer Trust has seen on a number of occasions how musicians can really have a positive impact on young people going through a hard time,” said a spokesperson for the charity. “Babyshambles have really helped Daniel through this very difficult period and have been such an inspiration to him. We’re grateful to Babyshambles for deciding to donate to us through their guest lists.”

And Daniel hopes to hear more from his new friend.

“Pete and the band have just been absolutely amazing and hopefully I will be able to stay well enough to see them play again,” he said. “They have given me the goal to stay well. They’ve given me hope and something to look forward to.”

The Who's Tommy To Elevate Hope

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:32:00 -0000

Written by Linda Burton

A very special performance of The Who’s classic rock opera “Tommy”, benefiting the Elevate Hope Foundation, will take place on Thursday, June 19, at the Ricardo Montalban Theatre in Hollywood. This will be the first appearance of the theatrical production of “Tommy” in Los Angeles in a decade.

Founded by Sheila E., the Elevate Hope Foundation raises funds to help assist victims of child abuse and abandonment through music and the arts. This special performance will assist in developing a more comprehensive Arts Enrichment Program for Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services, which provides 45 programs to nearly 6,000 children and families. Their goal is to provide educational and therapeutic services to families and children suffering from mental, behavioral and emotional challenges. Vista Del Mar’s therapeutic residential program provides services to youth – aged 12-18 – who have been moved from home to home due to such behaviors as aggressive outbursts and suicidal tendencies that are beyond what the foster parents can handle. Vista Del Mar is committed to providing these youth the best care possible.

For more information or to donate, please visit www.elevatehope.org.

Noel Gallagher & The Who Perform For Cancer Charity

Sat, 03 Mar 2007 15:37:16 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

A six-day series of concerts for the Teenage Cancer Trust at London’s Royal Albert Hall will begin on March 26th, boasting Noel Gallagher and The Who among its line-up of stars.

The Who frontman Roger Daltrey has been a long-time patron of the annual event, but his group is appearing this year for the first time since the first event in 2000.

Daltrey announced the roster of performers on the charity’s website, saying, “Over the years these shows have really made a massive difference to the money available to build TCT units in NHS hospitals. They also give our teenagers the moral support to help fight this terrible disease.”

Other bands performing at this year’s concerts include Kasabian, the Kaiser Chiefs, The View and The Coral. Wednesday 28th March will see an evening of comedy in place of music, with Russell Brand and Noel Fielding performing.

More information about the concerts is available at the Teenage Cancer Trust web site.

Buy a Day With The Who, Help Charity

Sat, 04 Nov 2006 07:36:15 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Starting on 26th October, fans of The Who have a ten-day-long opportunity to bid for a day on the road with the rock legends.

The winner of the charity auction, hosted by eBay, will enjoy a full day of The Who’s sold-out 2007 tour with the band and a guest, living the rock and roll dream from soundcheck to front-row seats and backstage passes.

Benefiting from the auction is the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation, which offers support for seriously ill children, and creates a sense of community between families who are having similar experiences.

Look To The Stars News: The Who

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