On January 22,
2005, 60,000 fans converged at the
Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales,
for a tsunami relief concert which
raised 1.25 million pounds. An ongoing
auction of signed portraits of the
performers, including a large mural
of the concert logo--signed by a majority
of musicians who played the event--will
be taking place through 2pm on February
25th, to raise additional funds. Bids
each day are tallied and the highest
one is registered at the auction site.
The portraits were hand-painted by
children or young people in Wales,
with help from a women's group. Musicians
featured include Eric Clapton, Charlotte
Church, Jools Holland, Badly Drawn
Boy, Lulu, Katherine Jenkins, Snow
Patrol, Craig David, Liberty X, and
Heather Small. Concert organizer,
Paul Sergeant, has donated his multi-colored
jumpsuit, and Stereophonics bassist,
Stuart Cable, has donated a large
portrait of himself, painted by Sally
Phillips.
The concert itself
was headlined by Eric Clapton and
Jools Holland, whose blues finale
ended the show on a rousing note.
The legendary '60's singing sensation,
Lulu ("To Sir With Love"
and "Shout"), was described
by one fan with a moniker which translates
in any era: "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!".
The five-member pop group, Liberty
X, sang and danced; former M People
singer, Heather Small, regaled the
crowd with some of her greatest hits;
Welsh heroes Manic Street Preachers,
rap group Goldie Lookin' Chain, guitar
rockers Feeder, and Cardiff's very
own superstar, Charlotte Church, also
performed to an enthusiastic audience.
Mezzo
soprano Katherine Jenkins opened the
concert, which also featured the Irish
band, Snow Patrol, pop band Keane,
Rahgav's Indian-influenced R&B,
the soul of singing sensation Lemar,
the soul/R&B of British talent
Craig David, and rock group Embrace.
Rounding out this amazing roster of
talent and caring were Brian McFadden
of Westlife, who also has a budding
solo career; Badly Drawn Boy (Damon
Gough); Stereophonics frontman Kelly
Jones; and highly popular singer/actor/broadcaster
Aled Jones, who will be visiting Sri
Lanka in February at the invitation
of one of the charities involved,
to view the progress being made to
help tsunami survivors.
Donations
are still being accepted via the Disaster
Emergency Committee website, and this
is where all concert proceeds will
be directed as well -- Go
to website...
This story in the news:
Tsunami
Relief Cardiff
Tsunami
Relief Auction
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