60 years after it was first recorded, Ben E King’s iconic ‘Stand By Me’ is being re-recorded for a very special release.
#StandByMe (2020) is a star-studded new charity single raising funds for Help Musicians, the 99-year-old charity that continues to provide vital support to thousands of music creators during this unprecedented time. Available from October 27th via Under The Apple Tree Records, in partnership with Absolute Label Services, all funds are being raised via the #StandByMe Go Fund Me page which is now live! See here.
A huge array of artists have come together under the banner ‘Whispering Bob’s Allstars’ to perform the song remotely, including: Mark Knopfler, Rosanne Cash, Paul Rodgers, PP Arnold, Peter Frampton, Mica Paris, Rick Wakeman, Richard Thompson, Beth Nielsen Chapman, John Oates, Leo Sayer, The Shires and Ward Thomas plus many more – see below for full list.
This new recording of the Ben E King classic is spearheaded by the legendary Bob Harris OBE, who celebrates 50 years in broadcasting this year. What better way to mark the occasion than inviting some of his favourite artists to come together to perform his favourite song, 60 years to the day it was originally recorded (27 October 1960) and raise money for a wonderful cause – Help Musicians.
Bob Harris OBE: “COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the UK music scene. The artists who rely on live performances for their income have been particularly hard hit. For the past six years Under The Apple Tree has been a fantastic platform for emerging artists and now, in this time of difficulty, we want to raise funds to help the diverse and dedicated grass roots music community that we love so much.”
Help Musicians is an independent charity with an extraordinary history. For nearly 100 years, it has provided a broad spectrum of help, support and opportunities to empower musicians aged 18+, at any stage of their career or retirement, from times of great need to times of opportunity, providing a lifetime of support when it is needed most. Help Musicians aims to make a meaningful difference to the lives of professional musicians and is passionate about creating a world where musicians thrive.
James Ainscough, CEO Help Musicians: “We're delighted that Bob Harris OBE, a Help Musicians ambassador for many years, has instigated this wonderful project. Music has sustained so many of us during lockdown, yet tens of thousands of musicians have had their income wiped out. It is through fundraisers such as this that the Help Musicians team can continue to provide the broad range of support that is needed now more than ever. Thanks to those generously donating, Help Musicians has been able to offer financial hardship support, creative development opportunities and a vital mental health service which reaches the entire music community during this difficult time. We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Bob and the team for their continued support, and to everyone who donates to this unique single.”
#StandByMe (2020) by Whispering Bob’s Allstars will be available from 27 October on Under The Apple Tree Records, via Absolute Label Services.
