Look To The Stars News: Eric Clapton

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.”

Guitar String Bracelets Raise Thousands For Charity

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Wear Your Music, the creators of the Original Artist Bracelet, succeeded in donating over 60,000 dollars to charity in 2011. The Original Artist Bracelet is custom-made from the intertwined guitar strings of music icons with profits donated to individual musicians’ charities of choice.

Over 150 artists including modern favorites Jason Mraz, John Mayer and Jack Johnson, classic legends like Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend and Gregg Allman and country music icons like Dolly Parton and Tim McGraw are donating their strings to create The Original Artist Bracelets.

“We created this company in 2007 when we noticed that musicians were just tossing away their used guitar strings,” explains Hannah Garrison, Co-Founder of Wear Your Music. “We wanted to use these guitar strings to make a difference by recycling a piece of rock memorabilia to create bracelets for fans. We took it a step further and decided to donate the proceeds from the sale of the Artist Bracelet to the musician’s charity of choice.”

Chimes Of Freedom: Stars Cover Bob Dylan For Charity

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Two iconic forces that have impacted the past 50 years – the life-saving human rights activism of Nobel Peace Prize-winning Amnesty International and the incomparable artistry of Bob Dylan – are being saluted by 80 musicians who contributed new or previously unreleased recordings to Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International.

The collection is scheduled for physical (4 discs) and digital release in North America on January 24, 2012 through Fontana Distribution. It will be distributed internationally through Fontana International, a Universal Music company, on January 30.

Chimes of Freedom features a stellar and diverse group of artists across the generational and musical spectrum. The performers, including many of Amnesty International’s longtime supporters, range in age from teenage pop star Miley Cyrus, 19, to folk music legend Pete Seeger, who, at 92, records Dylan’s poignant “Forever Young,” with a children’s chorus.

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.

Celebrities Go Without Their Woolly Hats For Charity

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:45:00 +0000

A whole bunch of British celebrities have donated their woolly hats to a new charity auction that aims to raise money for the homeless.

Charity St. Mungo’s is putting hats from famous heads belonging to Eric Clapton, Ricky Gervais, Sienna Miller, Alan Carr, Fearne Cotton, Simon Pegg, Elvis Costello, Helena Bonham Carter, Joan Collins and many more under the hammer.

St. Mungo’s is hosting Woolly Hat Day on November 4. There are so many ways you can be involved in Woolly Hat Day 2011. Whether you want to get involved through your school or college, your workplace, with a community group, or just with friends, the charity has lots of ideas to help you fundraise. Just click here to find out more.

Forty Years Ago Today - George Harrison's Concert For Bangladesh

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Forty years ago today, George Harrison took to the stage with a host of his celebrity friends for what is regarded as the first large scale multi-artist benefit concert – The Concert For Bangladesh. Look To The Stars Feature Editor Tim Saunders looks back at the climatic and political events that led up to the concert, and the on-going effects the show has had on celebrity charity events.

In early November, 1970, the Beatles were just about to break up and something wasn’t right in the South China Sea.

As Paul McCartney prepared his legal suit for the dissolution of the Fab Four after months of tempestuous fighting within the band, merchant shipping reported a storm was brewing to the south east of India. Moist, hot air was rising off the warm sea, sucking up water vapor as it went. When it reached a few hundred meters in height, it began to cool, condensing and becoming saturated. The low pressure system that was forming started to react with the high pressure system around it, swirling round like some celestial being was mixing a cake.

UNICEF Celebrates George Harrison's Charity Concert For Bangladesh

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000

On the 40th anniversary of George Harrison’s groundbreaking Concert for Bangladesh, the first major celebrity charity concert for a humanitarian cause, the music community is coming together yet again for UNICEF, this time to help provide emergency relief for children in famine and drought-affected regions in the Horn of Africa.

UNICEF is calling the situation in the Horn of Africa the “worst humanitarian emergency in the world,” with Somalia being the epicenter of the crisis.

To pay tribute to the Concert for Bangladesh and its organizers George Harrison and Ravi Shankar, this August has been designated as the “Month of Giving.” During the Month of Giving all donations to the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF will benefit UNICEF’s life-saving programs for children in the Horn of Africa. To jump start this fundraising initiative, the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF, which was founded by Olivia Harrison, wife of the late George Harrison, is immediately releasing $1 million to UNICEF for emergency efforts there.

Paul McCartney Documentary To Chronicle Reactions To 9/11

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000

As the United States prepares to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, SHOWTIME will premiere a highly-anticipated feature documentary.

“The Love We Make”, which chronicles Paul McCartney’s poignant and cathartic journey through the streets of New York in the aftermath of the World Trade Center’s destruction, and during the planning and performance of the monumental benefit concert at Madison Square Garden, “The Concert for New York City,” which took place less than six weeks after the terrorist attacks.

Directed by iconic documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles (Gimme Shelter, Salesman, Grey Gardens) and award-winning filmmaking partner, Bradley Kaplan (Muhammad and Larry, Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!, Sand and Sorrow), The Love We Make was shot in the signature cinéma vérité style that Maysles pioneered and made famous when he filmed the Beatles’ first visit to America in the legendary 1964 documentary What’s Happening! The Beatles in the U.S.A.

Eric Clapton's Guitars Raise Millions For Charity

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Eric Clapton has raised more than US$2.15 million for the drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre he founded by auctioning off his guitars in New York.

Collectors, fans and musicians alike gathered at Bonhams New York to celebrate the rock icon, whose personal collection of 75 guitars and 55 amps were auctioned off to benefit The Crossroads Centre in Antigua. With 100% of the lots sold, the final auction total more than tripled pre-sale expectations, with proceeds going to the drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre founded by Clapton in 1998.

Damien Hirst Puts The Squeeze On Charity

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0000

An exclusive set of instruments customized by Damien Hirst and created especially for British band Squeeze, will take centre stage when the band perform at Concerts for Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall on 22 March 2011.

Squeeze will be joined by a 30 piece orchestra and long-time friends and collaborators The Feeling, on the second night of Teenage Cancer Trust’s 2011 series of fundraising concerts at the iconic venue. 

 The Damien Hirst collection features two ‘Spot Guitars’, a Fender Telecaster and a Fender Stratocaster, as well as a Yamaha ‘Spot Drum Kit’. All the instruments are hand painted by Hirst with his iconic spot design and signed by the artist himself.

Ringo Starr And Eric Clapton To Headline Charity Gig

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Ringo Starr and Eric Clapton will headline a massive charity event in London in May, supported by some of their celebrity friends.

Hosted by Rory Bremner with Jonny Gould and Jeffrey Archer, Bunbury’s Big 25th Birthday Ball will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Bunbury Celebrity Cricket Team and will benefit the AF Foundation – established by English cricketer Andrew Flintoff to raise funds to build, develop and improve child rehabilitation and physiotherapy units throughout the UK – as well as Clapton’s Crossroads Centre for alcohol and drug dependency and the English School’s Cricket Association.

Guests will include some of the 60 Bunbury England U15 old boys who went on to become England stars of today plus the victorious Ashes Squad of 2010/11. Established by Sir David English, the Bunbury Celebrity Cricket club has raised over £12 million for charity in the last 25 years.

Eric Clapton Plays Rescheduled Charity Concerts

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:00:00 +0000

It was better late than never for Eric Clapton recently when he played two charity concerts in Britain after the pre-Christmas snow caused the original dates to be postponed.

The legendary guitarist headlined two nights at the Cranleigh Arts Centre earlier this month as part of a star-studded lineup that included soul-singer PP Arnold and former Manfred Mann frontman and show organizer Paul Jones.

Money from the shows went to Clapton’s Crossroads Centre – which he opened in 1998 on the beautiful Caribbean island of Antigua to help those who suffer from chemical abuse – as well as the National Deaf Children’s Society, the Evelina Children’s Heart Organisation and the Cranleigh Arts Centre.

Legends Sign Guitar For Celebrity Charity Auction

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 15:30:00 +0000

A host of some of rock music’s legendary guitarists and singers have signed a special guitar for a celebrity charity auction later this month in London.

Queen’s Brian May and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour have added their autographs to those of Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Roger Daltrey, Paul Weller, Eric Clapton and Gary Moore on the PUP AID Epiphone Casino Guitar donated by Liam Gallagher, which will go under the hammer at Bonham’s auction house on December 15.

Eric Clapton To Auction Guitars For Charity

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Eric Clapton will sell a selection of his guitars and amplifiers for charity next year.

Over 70 instruments will go under the hammer, including the guitar he played at the Cream reunion concerts in 2005 and amps from his days with Derek and The Dominos. Guitars from Jeff Beck, JJ Cale and others will also be put up for auction.

“I am very happy that Bonhams have agreed to host my third guitar auction in aid of The Crossroads Centre, Antigua, the drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre I founded in 1998,” said Clapton.

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.

Eric Clapton And Friends Play For Charity

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Eric Clapton held his third Crossroads Guitar Festival just outside Chicago in the weekend, to raise money for the anti-addiction centre he opened in 1998.

The concert was a treat for lovers of the blues, with performers including BB King, Buddy Guy and Jeff Beck appearing, along with John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, ZZ Top, Vince Gill, Steve Winwood and many others. Bill Murray also made an appearance.

The festival benefited Clapton’s Crossroads Centre, a facility he launched on the beautiful Caribbean island of Antigua following his own battles with addiction.

Top Stars Donate Songs For Tsunami Relief Album

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:30:00 +0000

The tsunami? Wasn’t that fixed years ago? Not so, says Los Angeles-based non-profit Aid Still Required (ASR), citing tens of thousands who are still looking to restore their lives in Southeast Asia following the disaster.

With an endorsement from former President Clinton’s United Nations Office for Tsunami Recovery, ASR has enlisted the help of many of the World’s favorite musicians to champion this forgotten issue, including Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, James Taylor, Sarah McLachlan, Maroon 5, John Lennon (estate), Avril Lavigne, Shawn Colvin, Phantom Planet, Ani DiFranco, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Ray Charles (estate), Hunter Payne and The Blind Boys of Alabama.

“We’ve all seen it,” says Bonnie Raitt. “Money pours in when a disaster first occurs. But then the World’s attention turns to other matters and the real work of rebuilding goes underfunded. I’m involved with this project because it will help thousands restore their lives in a sustainable manner.”

The Who Launches Charity Tees For A New Generation

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0000

The Who just rocked out for over 100 million viewers during the Super Bowl halftime show, but it’s their new line of limited edition T-shirt’s from the good people at the Hard Rock Café that begs attention, as all sales benefit City of Hope, the charity working to conquer life-threatening diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS.

The limited edition “Who Signature Series: Edition XXVII” T-shirts, designed by band members Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, are priced at just $26, with fifteen percent of each sale going to City of Hope. The tee design is pure ‘Who’ and depicts Townshend’s classic “windmill” guitar technique against a somewhat tattered Union Jack. The front of the shirt also features a Who backstage pass while the phrase “That’s Who” is printed on the back of the tee.

The Who’s relationship with the Hard Rock is more than meets the eye. According the ‘legend,’ over 30-years ago, Townshend was in the original Hard Rock Café in London when he noticed Eric Clapton’s guitar hanging on the wall. Clapton had asked that his guitar be hung to mark his favorite barstool and the club’s management obliged him. Then one week later the Hard Rock Café received a package from Townshend. Inside was one of his own guitars along with a note stating, “Mine’s as good as his! Love, Pete.” It was this impulsive move by Townshend that led to the Hard Rock’s line of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia.

Robert Plant To Sing At Abbey Road For Charity

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:30:00 +0000

Led Zeppelin legend Robert Plant will meet and greet fans at a special gig to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

On 25th February Cancer Research UK’s Sound & Vision event will take place at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, celebrating rock, pop, the people who make it and the images it inspires. The event will feature champagne and canapés, access to the recording studios where The Beatles recorded, a stunning exhibition and auction of images featuring iconic musicians by famous photographers, the opportunity to purchase a piece of music history in a live auction, live performances, and the chance to rub shoulders with celebrity guests.

Plant will take to the stage with American singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman and the London Oriana Choir. David Gray and other artists will also perform, and an internet auction has been launched featuring instruments signed by bands such as the Kaiser Chiefs, items signed by Eric Clapton, lyrics signed by Tori Amos and much more. The auction can be accessed here.

LTTS Exclusive - The Variety Club 57th Annual Showbiz Awards

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Look To The Stars’ UK Correspondent Richard Barker was lucky enough to attend the Variety Club’s 57th Annual Showbiz Awards and filed this exclusive report and photos.

I was delighted to spend some time with A-list celebrities from music, film, theatre and television on the Red Carpet. The event was in aid of one of UK’s longest running children’s charities, The Variety Club, as it celebrated its Diamond Jubilee.

Christmas Charity Singles Hit The Market

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

It’s that time year again – a new wave of charity singles are about to hit the market to spread goodwill in the Christmas season.

Leading the pack this year is a new single from Eric Clapton recorded with Paul Stewart – eldest son of Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart – called “Fly Free.”

Recorded in honour of the racing legend’s 70th birthday, the song will be released on 15 November 2009. All proceeds will be donated to the Grand Prix Mechanics’ Charitable Trust, an organization founded by Sir Jackie Stewart and others more than 20 years ago that assists Grand Prix, former Grand Prix mechanics, their wives, widows and children in times of need.

Guitarists Sign Cards For Charity Auction

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Some of the greatest guitarists in the world have taken the time to sign cards for a new charity auction starting this week.

StarCards.org will auction a collection of signed Great Ormond Street Hospital playing cards by legendary & renowned guitar players from the 5th November 2009, including Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Steve Vai, Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Phil Hilborne, Neil Murray, Paul Carrack, Joe Brown, Scott Mckeon, and Ramon Diaz.

The highlight of the auction is a Fender Stratocaster Mark Knopfler signature model guitar donated by Fender UK and Bonnersmusic.co.uk of Eastbourne with a hard case as well as a unique display cabinet donated by Wallsoffame.co.uk. The Fender will be signed and personalised by Mark for the winning bidder and will be on display at Bonners until the 15th November.

Eric Clapton To Hold Annual Charity Cricket Match

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Guitar legend Eric Clapton will lead a group of celebrities and professional sports people in a charity cricket game this weekend.

The annual cricket match will take place on Sunday, July 12, at a school in Surrey, England. The guitarist will be joined by former Rolling Stones member Bill Wyman and cricket stars Wasim Akram and Ryan Sidebottom. Proceeds from the game will go to the Crossroads Centre, a facility set up by Clapton on the island of Antigua to help people and their families whose lives are controlled by alcohol, drugs or other compulsive behaviors make the changes necessary to find new health, a new sense of well- being and a new life of recovery. Additional proceeds will go to the English Schools Cricket Association.

The event will also include net sessions with the players, autograph and photograph opportunities, and an auction that features a guitar signed by Clapton and the opportunity to play in the match.

Stars Sign Mini For British Forces Morale

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:30:00 +0000

A car signed by some of Britain’s favorite stars will go up for auction at Bonhams Auction House tonight, July 3, to raise money for the British Forces Foundation’s Lap of Honour charity, which aims to boost morale in Britiain’s Armed Forces.

For the last year, the Mini cooper – adorned with a Union Jack on the roof – has been traveling around Britain, gathering autographs from well-known faces such as Michael Caine, Richard Branson, Sienna Miller, Simon Cowell, Terry Wogan, Joan Collins, Roger Moore, Michael Parkinson, Cliff Richard, Ranulph Fiennes, Tom Jones, Hugh Grant, Judi Dench, James Blunt, Katherine Jenkins, Jackie Stewart, Rod Stewart, Lewis Hamilton, Kate Moss, Joe Calzaghe, Elton John, David Beckham, Magaret Thatcher, Eric Clapton, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, Joanna Lumley, Helen Mirren, Gordon Brown, Paul McCartney and many more.

“This fantastic car has been on an amazing journey during our tenth anniversary year,” said Mark Cann, director of the BFF. “It will be a unique addition to any car collection and we’re delighted that Bonhams offered so generously to help us achieve the best bid and raise as much money as we can. The very act of demonstrating support will send a clear message of solidarity to those on the frontline, which will in itself be a significant boost to their morale.”