Music News

Robert Plant to play charity show to help Cancer Research UK

By Patrick Luce Feb 1, 2010, 14:48 GMT

Robert Plant to perform at Abbey Road Studios on Feburary 25th for Cancer Research UK. © Daniel Locke / PR Photos

Music fans will have the chance to see rock icon Robert Plant take the stage for a unique and intimate concert in aid of Cancer Research UK. Sponsored by Shepperton, Sound & Vision will be held at Abbey Road Studios on Feburary 25th.

This is the fifth year for the event – which has raised more than £700,000 for Cancer Research UK’s lifesaving work. Plant is expected to take the stage with American singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman and the London Oriana Choir. The set is described as a completely unique, one-off performance. Other performers that night include David Gray and Newton Faulkner.

In a press release, Plant stated: “Performing at Sound & Vision is something I’m really excited about. Cancer Research UK is a very worthwhile cause, and when Bob asked me to get involved I didn’t hesitate. My set is quite different from anything I’ve ever done before, as I’ll be performing with Beth and a full choir on stage. Cancer is a disease that affects so many people and Sound & Vision is a great way to raise money to fight it.”

The concert is scheduled to be hosted by BBC Radio 2 DJ ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris, who is patron alongside ‘the fifth Beatle’ Sir George Martin.

Starting today (Feb. 1st), Robert Plant fans wanting to catch the performance can bid for a chance to attend the sold out event through the Sound & Vision eBay site. Fans can also bid for VIP tickets - which include a meet and greet with the performers.

There is also a wide range of heritage music memorabilia available for bid including:

A Gibson guitar signed by all members of The Prodigy.

A drumskin with the words to ‘I Predict a Riot’ written by Ricky from the Kaiser Chiefs and signed by the whole band.

Handwritten lyrics from the likes of Robert Gillespie, Tori Amos, The Doves and Mumford and Sons, from Absolute Radio Sessions.

During the event, there will be an opportunity to bid for a Robert Plant memorabilia package, including amazing images from his time with Led Zeppelin and a platinum disc celebrating sales of ‘Raising Sand’, his grammy award winning collaboration with Alison Krauss.

Alongside the live performances, the audience will have the opportunity to view and bid on a selection of iconic and exclusive photographs and memorabilia from rock music history.

This year’s auction includes signed and limited edition prints by photographers such as John Rankin, Brian Aris, Gered Mankowitz and Nadav Kander, and a unique selection of music memorabilia, including a rare McCartney painting, a one-off Blur gig map signed by all the members of Blur and an exclusive set of signed album covers including signatures from Pink Floyd and Jimmy Page.

As well as sponsoring this year’s event, Shepperton has pledged to donate five per cent of all revenue from new clients for the next 12 months to Cancer Research UK.

Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research. The charity’s groundbreaking work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives. This work is funded entirely by the public, which is why fundraising events like Sound & Vision are so important.

If you aren't lucky enough to be there on the night, you can listen to Geoff Lloyd’s Hometime show on Absolute Radio from 5pm, and Ben Jones Live from 8pm. Geoff and Ben will be broadcasting live from the event.