Look To The Stars News: Tom Jones

Big Stars To Hit The Stage Again At Rockwell

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:30:00 -0000

In 1990 some of the world’s biggest musicians put on one of the most important gigs of all time.

In aid of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, the event at Knebworth featured the likes of Robert Plant, Pink Floyd and Paul McCartney. An incredible line-up of former Silver Clef award winners performed to 120,000 fans in a show that raised over three million pounds.

Now nineteen years later a new generation are set to do it again at the O2 arena. Rockwell promises to be the star-studded musical event of the year with some of the world’s most influential musicians sharing a stage with the best of UK talent.

For one night only – September 11 – Rockwell will bring together some of the world’s biggest bands and musicians. Performing never-to-be-repeated collaborations at The O2 will be Ronan Keating, Lulu, Razorlight, Joss Stone, David Gray, Tom Jones, Robert Plant, Gabriella Cilmi, Supergrass and many more.

Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy is the UK’s largest specialist music therapy charity, providing over 35,000 therapy sessions a year through its National Centre in London and over 40 outreach projects nationwide. It also runs postgraduate training programs in music therapy and a research program with regular public courses and conferences.

Proceeds from the show will be donated to Nordoff-Robbins, and O2 customers will benefit from an exclusive priority ticket period on 3rd and 4th August, followed by a general release ticket sales period for non-O2 customers on Wednesday 5th August. To find out more and purchase tickets, click here.

Stars Sign Mini For British Forces Morale

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

Written by Tim Saunders

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.”

Proceeds will go to the well-being and esprit de corps of all serving personnel.

To find out more, click here.

Red Nose Day TV Special Breaks Records

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

BBC’s Red Nose Day television extravaganza, Funny For Money, raised over £57 million (US$80 million) on Friday night, breaking the previous record of £40 million set in 2007.

Presented by David Tennant, Davina McCall, Alan Carr, Jonathan Ross and others, Funny For Money aired on March 13 on BBC One and Two and featured comedy items performed by Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Robbie Williams, David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Ricky Gervais, Harry Enfield, Peter Crouch, David Beckham, Ronnie Corbett, Sadie Frost, and Kate Moss.

A special version of Top Of The Pops featuring performances by U2, James Morrison and Oasis – as well as Tom Jones and Rob Brydon singing the official Comic Relief single, Islands In The Stream – also aired as part of the extravaganza. The Islands In The Stream single has just topped the UK charts, which will bring in more cash for the cause.

Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s – which sold the official Comic Relief merchandise – handed over a cheque for over £9 million to the show’s presenters during the evening, the single largest donation ever made in the event’s 11 year history. Another £20 million as donations keep coming in.

Celebrity Kilimanjaro climbers Alesha Dixon, Ben Shephard, Cheryl Cole, Chris Moyles, Denise Van Outen, Fearne Cotton, Gary Barlow, Kimberley Walsh and Ronan Keating also made an appearance, and it was revealed that their efforts had raised £3,326,142 for Comic Relief.

‘It is just incredible to see such a huge amount of money given by the public again on Red Nose Day," said Comic Relief co-founder Richard Curtis. "Red Nose Day is 21 years old this year and its success is down to the unrelenting support and ingenuity of our supporters – it belongs not to the comedians, but to the people who give. It’s wonderful that, in more difficult times, people seem to understand that the need increases for people whose lives were impossibly tough in the first place. The work this money funds helps change and save lives all over Africa and the United Kingdom. A huge heartfelt thank you to everyone who has helped to make this year’s Red Nose Day such a memorable and brilliant campaign."

The evening also featured appearances from Annie Lennox and Take That.

Red Nose Day TV Special To Tickle BBC Funny Bones

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Today, March 13, is Red Nose Day in Britain – the major fundraising event of the year for Comic Relief. And to celebrate, celebrities young and old will appear in a TV extravaganza being screened tonight on BBC One and Two.

Presented by David Tennant, Davina McCall, Alan Carr, Jonathan Ross and others, Funny For Money will feature the last ever French & Saunders film parody – a version of Mamma Mia! performed by Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders – plus comedy items performed by Robbie Williams, David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Ricky Gervais, Harry Enfield, Peter Crouch, David Beckham, Sadie Frost, and Kate Moss. There will also be an appearance from Annie Lennox.

As part of the show, Comic Relief will also present a special version of Top Of The Pops that will feature performances by U2, James Morrison and Oasis, as well as Tom Jones and Rob Brydon singing the official Comic Relief single, Islands In The Stream.

The show will also a special appearance by the celebrity climbers who scaled Mount Kilimanjaro last week. The group – including Take That's Gary Barlow, Ronan Keating, Girls Aloud's Kimberley Walsh, Cheryl Cole, singer Alesha Dixon, television presenters Fearne Cotton and Ben Shephard, West-End star Denise Van Outen and radio DJ Chris Moyles – reached the summit of the 19,300ft (5,900m) peak as dawn broke on Saturday, March 7. They featured in their own BBC One documentary last night, and also met with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has pledged £2 million to the charity.

“It has been a privilege for the whole team to meet the Prime Minister … and under such special circumstances,” said Barlow. “To think that our efforts on the mountain and the incredible generosity of the public have inspired school children and have now been supported by the Government is unbelievable. If the money raised can help control malaria and also help poor and vulnerable people in the UK, it will all have been worthwhile. What an unforgettable day.”

The Funny For Money TV special runs from 7pm to 1:30am. Viewers will have the chance to pledge money to go towards helping people in the UK overcome poverty, mental health issues, domestic violence and other issues, and people in Africa affected by AIDS, malaria, conflict and more.

Grammy Charity Auction Set To Rock

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

With the Grammy Awards only days away, now is the time to bid on exclusive celebrity items in the annual Grammy Awards Charity Auction and help a good cause.

Going under the hammer this year are VIP experiences with Katy Perry and Kathy Griffin, guitars signed by AC/DC, Taylor Swift, John Mayer, Fall Out Boy and the Jonas Brothers, books signed by Mariah Carey, Slash, and Céline Dion, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the set of a Rihanna music video or photo shoot.

Also on offer are DVDs signed by Flight of the Conchords, drums signed by the Foo Fighters, and memorabilia signed by Sheryl Crow, Katherine McPhee, Jesse McCartney, Tom Jones, Christina Aguilera, Robert Plant, and Sarah McLachlan.

And for the person who thinks they have everything, the auction also offers the opportunity to receive a personal phone call from Aretha Franklin, who will share her favorite recipes with you!

The auction will benefit MusiCares – which works to help those in need in the music industry – and the Grammy Foundation, which works with industries, cultural communities and the public to raise awareness of music and arts education. It runs until February 19 and can be accessed here.

Robin Gibb Helps Out With Red Nose Day Single

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Bee Gees founder Robin Gibb has joined a host of celebrities to record a song to benefit this year’s Comic Relief Red Nose Day.

The singer appears on a new version of Islands In The Stream alongside stars such as Tom Jones, Rob Brydon and Gavin and Stacey stars Ruth Jones and Joanne Page, to be released March 13 – the date of this year’s Red Nose Day.

Brydon was one of the many stars to attend the launch of this year’s appeal in London yesterday, and urged the public to make the 11th annual Red Nose Day the best one ever despite the recession.

“There has never been a more important time to show generosity,” he said. “It would be great to make it the best one ever in the current climate.”

Comic Relief uses comedy to help raise awareness and funds for those in need and are especially committed to helping end poverty and social injustice in the UK and around the world. Red Nose Day is their major annual fundraising appeal.

Girl group The Saturdays have also joined the appeal and have recorded a version of Depeche Mode’s Just Can’t Get Enough for the charity, to be released on March 3.

“This year Comic Relief are putting a real focus on mental health problems which, as an ex-psychiatric nurse, I’m really glad about,” said comedian Jo Brand. “We want to rid the world of the stigma that surrounds mental illness.”

More information about the appeal can be found here.

Cerys Matthews Is Santa's Girlfriend In New Charity Single

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former Catatonia singer Cerys Matthews has teamed up with Scottish alt rockers Attic Lights to record a new Christmas single.

Santa’s Girlfriend is a slice of guitar pop fun aimed to raise money for the Scottish children’s charity Cash For Kids (formerly Make A Child Smile), an organization that raises money to help sick and deprived children across Scotland.

“We were keen to do a Christmas single,” said singer Colin McArdle, “and with Cerys and Cash For Kids everything just fell into place”.

The song will be Matthew’ first Christmas single since her duet on Baby It’s Cold Outside with Sir Tom Jones.

The single is available from the Attic Lights official website.

Tom Jones Hits The Streets For Charity

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

London’s office workers got the surprise of their lives on Wednesday, November 19, when they were treated to a performance by Welsh crooner Sir Tom Jones.

The 68-year-old was busking outside the Royal Festival Hall to raise money for Cancer Research UK as part of the BBC Two Culture Show’s Busking Challenge, which sees leading acts perform in public places for charity. Buckets were passed round the 1,000 people who gathered to watch the 15 minute set, with £460 being raised.

“This is the first busking I have ever done,” he said. “This is for cancer research.”

Accompanied by an acoustic guitar, Jones performed his greatest hits It’s Not Unusual and Green Green Grass of Home, plus his own version of Jerry Lee Lewis’ hit Great Balls Of Fire.

Grammy Auction Has Something For Everybody

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Another incredible Grammy auction benefiting MusiCares is currently running on eBay, giving bidders the opportunity to pick up some very special memorabilia for a good cause.

The 51st annual Grammy Awards will take place in February next year, and to celebrate there are all sorts of exciting items on offer. Maybe you fancy books signed by Ringo Starr, John Legend, Tom Jones, Tony Bennett, Nelly Furtado, Little Richard, or Carole King, or postcards signed by Rihanna. Or perhaps you would be more interested in grabbing a guitar signed by Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, or the Eagles' Joe Walsh. Or, if strumming chords seems too hard and you want to hear real musicians play, you might want to make a bid on tickets to see Bette Midler, America, or 3 Doors Down. Whatever your taste, the auction has something for you.

So head over to the eBay Grammys Auction now to find yourself a once-in-a-lifetime bargain to raise money for MusiCares, an organization that works to help those in need in the music industry, and the Grammy Foundation, which works with industries, cultural communities and the public to raise awareness of music and arts education.

The auction runs until July 31.

Celebrities Lend Their Hands To Charity

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 09:58:29 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Over 40 celebrities from around the world are featured in a special new book to be released in time for Christmas.

“Celebrity Handprints”, set to be published on December 1, is the culmination of two years work for author James Preston. Since November 2005, Preston has scoured the globe in search of famous names who were willing to dip their hands in ink and leave a lasting mark on paper. And his peculiar pursuit opened doors to some of entertainment’s biggest stars, including Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Matt Damon, and Keira Knightley.

Over the course of his travels, Preston collected more than 100 handprints and accompanying photos of some of the brightest stars in film, television, music and sports, 42 of which are to be included in the new book. All of the proceeds from the publication will go to benefit two British children’s charities – Children in Need and the Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Also available is a series of limited edition prints of the handprints, suitable for framing. The cost for each print, which also includes a photograph of the star involved, is $100. 30% of the total will go to both charities.

Other stars involved in the project include David Beckham, Robbie Williams, Will Smith, Joss Stone, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Sir Richard Branson, Sir Tom Jones, Linkin Park, Avril Lavigne, Snoop Dogg, Samuel L. Jackson, Wyclef Jean, the Kaiser Chiefs, the Smashing Pumpkins, Snow Patrol, Star Wars creator George Lucas, and many more.

The book will be available for $40 from bookstores and Amazon, and both the book and the prints will be able to be purchased from www.celebrityhandprints.org.

Stars Sparkle for Elton John AIDS Foundation

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A charity party organised by Sir Elton John has raised $12.2 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and was a night to remember for all those involved.

Kate Winslet, Dame Judi Dench, and Elle Macpherson were among the 500 guests who dusted off their best clothes for the 9th annual White Tie and Tiara charity ball and auction, held on June 28 at Sir Elton’s home in Berkshire.

The theme of the night was “Las Vegas”, and the evening sparkled and shone as the celebrity party-goers wore their most stylish dresses and suits for the $6000/ticket event. Sir Elton’s house, “Woodside”, was lavishly decorated with a pink stretch cadillac, giant props from his “Red Piano” shows at Caesar’s Palace, and seven Elvis impersonators serenaded the crowd as they enjoyed a feast of “Las Vegas proportions”: truffle soufflé, followed by filet mignon with Maine lobster tail, and a giant knickerbocker glory for desert.

The dinner was followed by a special auction, in which guests bid on items such as a four day tennis lesson with Roger Federer (sold for $650,000), and an Audi R8 sportscar (snapped up for $800,000).

The most sought-after items for sale on the night included an artwork by party guest Tracey Emin, a trip to South Africa with Sir Elton and his partner, and a brand new Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe (which is said to be so elite that it has a waiting list that lasts until 2009). All of these items were sold for over $1.6 million each.

After the auction, guests such as Sir Michael Caine, Kirsten Dunst, and Stephen Fry – who wore a white tie AND tiara – were treated to the concert event of a lifetime. Backed by a 25 piece orchestra, Elton John joined Dame Shirley Bassey and Sir Tom Jones on stage to duet on songs such as “Hey Big Spender” and “Delilah”.

During the event, Sir Elton said that over the last 15 years the Elton John Aids Foundation has raised over $125 million. Much of this money has been used to raise awareness and aid for those affected by the disease in 55 countries.

Elton John, P. Diddy and Andrew Lloyd-Webber to Celebrate Life of Princess Diana

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 21:03:21 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

This Sunday, July 1st, music will fill the skies in remembrance of Princess Diana. The event was organised by her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry to celebrate her life, ten years after her death.

Concert For Diana will take place at Wembley Stadium in London, and is showcasing a wide variety of musical styles, from Andrew Lloyd-Webber to P. Diddy. Legends Elton John, Rod Stewart and Tom Jones will be joined by the likes of Joss Stone, Nelly Furtado, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West and James Morrison.

Many more performances will take place during the 8-hour-long event, including those by Duran Duran, Take That, Lily Allen and the English National Ballet.

Proceeds of the event go to charities which were supported by the Princess, and to charities of which her sons are now Patrons. These include: The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, Centrepoint, Sentebale, National AIDS Trust, The Leprosy Mission, the Royal Marsden Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital and the English National Ballet.

Tickets cost £45, but those who cannot make it to the concert can view it online at the Concert For Diana website.

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