Metropolis To Release Hillsborough Benefit Single in December…
Metropolis To Release Hillsborough Benefit Single
Release Date: 17th December 2012
Metropolis Group will release the cover of The Hollies’ classic He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother by Justice For The 96 Collective, featuring artists such as Robbie Williams, Melanie C, Rebecca Ferguson, Paloma Faith and Mick Jones.
Produced by world renowned producer Guy Chambers. ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ will feature other artists including; Peter Hooton (The Farm), Pete Wylie, (The Justice Tonight band), 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), with further names to be announced in the coming days.
Released on 17th December 2012, the single is aiming to top the Christmas charts. All artists involved are giving their time for free, and all proceeds from the sale of the single will go towards the Hillsborough Families legal costs in their fight for justice.
Producer, Guy Chambers said: “I am deeply honoured to be asked to produce this record for the 96. If we can help to raise money to support the families’ legal battle so that they finally get their time in court then our job will be done. I spent my teenage years in Liverpool and feel a deep affection for both its musical heritage and the unique solidarity of its people.”
Speaking from his Westminster office Steve Rotheram MP explained: “Today, I am proud to announce that a group of some of the biggest UK recording artists are coming together to record ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ to support the Hillsborough Families fight for justice and to raise funds for any future legal costs. Whilst we are confident that the campaign for truth and justice is nearing a conclusion, for 23 years the bereaved Hillsborough families have carried the eternal flame of hope that we would one day see those responsible brought to justice. All profits from this CD will go towards assisting with any legal costs incurred in that fight. The families have suffered enough”.
Liverpool Legend, Kenny Dalglish said: “The families of the 96 should never have been in the position they are now in, of having to fight to get the accidental verdicts from the 1989 inquests overturned. I will continue to support their dignified campaign every step of the way.”
The Hollies classic ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’, was used to great effect earlier this season by Everton FC at Goodison following the release of the HIP report.
Triple Ivor Novello winning songwriter Guy Chambers will record the single at the end of the month, in his North London Studio and at Metropolis Studios. Guy has worked with Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Tom Jones, and many others. Pledge Music will also be offering a host of exclusive items via their website to aid the campaign (www.pledgemusic.com)
In 2009, Steve Rotheram, as the then Lord Mayor of Liverpool, brought together; Peter Hooton (The Farm), Dave Pichilingi (Sound City), Phil Hayes (The Picket) and Kevin McManus (Liverpool Acme), musicians, footballers and Liverpool celebrities to record ‘Fields of Anfield Road’ for the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy. The record spent two weeks in the top 20.
This year’s ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ release is expected to go even further and will hopefully challenge the X Factor winner for the Christmas Number 1 position.
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Pre-orders will be available from early December
For further information, please contact:
Jane Kearney at LD Communications:
Jane.kearney@ldcommunications.co.uk/ 0207 439 7222