The Hillsborough charity single He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother takes shape as Liverpool musicians and sports stars gather in London to re-record The Hollies classic.
Hillsborough campaigners’ bid to land a Christmas number one song with a charity single has gathered momentum today.
The single, which will raise funds for the legal costs of fresh inquests into those that died at Hillsborough, began to take shape in a London studio as musicians and sports stars gathered to record the track.
Liverpool MP Steve Rotheram joined original members of the Hollies, Liverpool FC’s Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen, Everton FC’s Peter Reid, musicians from the Justice Band, comedian John Bishop and Heston Blumenthal as they re-recorded He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.
The song was played during an emotional tribute to the 96 who died at Hillsborough at Goodison Park last month, after the release of the independent panel’s report.
Producer of the record Guy Chambers today revealed via his twitter account that Holly Johnson of Liverpool band Frankie Goes To Hollywood has joined the stellar list of artists already announced.
It will feature artists including; Robbie Williams, Mick Jones (The Clash), Peter Hooton (The Farm), Pete Wylie, The Justice Tonight band, Richard Hawley, Chris Sharrock (Oasis), Ren Harvieu, Dave McCabe (The Zutons), Paul Heaton (Beautiful South), Hollie Cook, Jon McClure (Reverend & The Makers), John Power (Cast) and Gerry Marsden (Gerry and the Pacemakers).
Paloma Faith, Beverley Knight, Mel C and Shane MacGowan were recently added to the growing list of names with Paul McCartney also being touted as joining the all-star cast.
Meanwhile, Peter Hooton gave his twitter followers an exclusive peak behind the scenes with a whole host of pictures from inside Metropolis Studio in Chiswick.
The recording booth where Robbie Williams and Paloma Faith will be recording vocals
Inside Guy Chambers’ studio
Kenny Dalglish and co. sign donated LFc shirts pre-recording
The Hollies’ Bobby Elliot and Tony Hicks with Neil Fitzmaurice (background)
Hollies re-recording their classic He Aint Heavy He’s My Brother
Meanwhile artist David Southwell has created a piece using the names of those that died at the Hillsborough tragedy which he has put forward as the artwork for the single.
It is widely thought that the image of the two children holding hands at Goodison Park prior to the Newcastle game on the Monday following the Hillsborough Independent Panel will be used as the single’s artwork.
The record is released on December 17.
Thousands demand via petition an urgent Hillsborough inquest for Kevin Williams.
Further reading on Getintothis:
Getintothis on The Hillsborough Justice Band and a cause worth fighting for.
Getintothis picture gallery of The Justice Tonight show featuring Mick Jones, Pete Wylie, The Farm: The Picket, Liverpool
Getintothis on The Justice Tonight show featuring Mick Jones, Pete Wylie, The Farm: The Picket, Liverpool
Getintothis on the Justice Tour: The Farm, Pete Wylie, John Power, Billy Bragg: Mountford Hall, Liverpool
Getintohis on Stone Roses’ Ian Brown and John Squire reunite for Hillsborough Justice Tour.
Getintothis on the Don’t Buy The Sun Concert in memory of James McVey: Olympia Theatre, Liverpool
