Mark Knopfler, Paul Rodgers, Peter Frampton and ex-Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman are among dozens of music artists lending their talents to a new cover of Ben E. King‘s classic 1960 hit “Stand by Me” that will be released next month as a charity single.
Proceeds from the track will benefit Help Musicians, a U.K. organization that aids musicians adversely affected by the COVID-pandemic. The new version of “Stand by Me” will be released on October 27, which is the 60th anniversary of the original song’s release. Acclaimed British radio and TV presenter “Whispering Bob” Harris, who was the host of the famed U.K. performance series The Old Grey Whistle Test, organized the recording.
The one-off group, which has been dubbed Whispering Bob’s All Stars, also features guitar legend Duane Eddy, Hootie & the Blowfish singer Darius Rucker, PP Arnold, Rosanne Cash, John Oates, Kiki Dee, Marc Cohn, Leo Sayer, Richard Thompson, Leland Sklar and Humble Pie‘s Jeremy Stacey, among many other musicians.
You can find out more about the recording, pre-order the track and/or donate directly to the cause by visiting GoFundMe.com.
“Whispering Bob gave Free one of our first breaks on a TV show he hosted called The Old Grey Whistle Test,” notes Rodgers. “For the past 50 years he has constantly supported music and musicians both experienced and up and coming. I am absolutely happy to lend my voice to this iconic hit song and to help Bob support Help Musicians a UK Charity.”
By Matt Friedlander
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