Music for Marsden is an amazing event for raising funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity with a formidable lineup of musicians performing their greatest hits at the O2 Arena, London.
The concert started with the great John Illsley, a founder member of Dire Straits, who performed classics such as “Money For Nothing” and “Sultans of Swing”.
Paul Carrack, a longtime member of Clapton’s touring band, and the singer of songs for several bands, performed his hit with Ace, “How Long”. He then invited Mike Rutherford to play “Over My Shoulder” and cover Genesis “I Can’t Dance”.
Paul Jones, amazing singer, blues harmonica player, actor and a very charismatic person! Paul was singing 2 great songs: “Flamingo” and “Do Wah Diddy”.
Paul Young and Zucchero playing “Senza Una Donna” and Zucchero singing “Miserere” joined by Gary Brooker of Procol Harum as a tribute to Luciano Pavarotti. Very moving moment!
Beautiful Bonnie Tyler was singing her hits “Holding Out for the Hero” and “Total Eclipse of the Heart” supported by thousands of people at the venue singing along and switching on the lights.
Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall performed “Stars” and “Something Got Me Started” followed by amazing duet with Tom Jones singing “Ain’t That a Lot of Love”.
Nick Mason took the stage for quite unusual version of Pink Floyd’s fantastic song “Comfortably Numb” supported by amazing band of Guy Pratt, Andy Fairweather Low, Graham Broad, Geoff Whitehorn, Gary Brooker and Olivia Keast.
Yusuf Cat Stevens and Rick Wakeman playing “Morning Has Broken” on stage together for the first time since they recorded it in 1971, what an amazing experience it was! Also Rick Wakeman played the Beatles cover “Eleanor Rigby” and Cat Stevens performed his great timeless song “Wild World”.
The one and only Eric Clapton performed three songs: “Key to the Highway”, “Stormy Monday”, “Crossroads”. The last time Eric performed Stormy Monday was with the Allman Brothers band at the Beacon theatre in New York City in March 2009.
The highlights of the evening included Van Morrison and Eric Clapton jamming on “Help Me”, “Three Chords and the Truth” and “Does Love Conquer All”. They were also joined by Paul Jones playing the harmonica.
Tom Jones got everyone in the place dancing with “Delilah”. He also performed his greatest hits “Green, Green Grass of Home” and “Strange Things Happening Every Day”. Paul Wickens joined Paul Jones playing the accordion.
Gary Brooker was Musical Director of the show. He assembled a stellar house band: Paul ‘Wix’ Wickens (keyboards), Andy Fairweather Low and Robbie McIntosh (guitars), Dave Bronze (bass), Graham Broad and Ian Paice (drums & percussion).
Gary also performed Procol Harum’s “Whiter Shade of Pale”.
The final song “All you need is love” was performed by (from left to the right): Andy Fairweather Low, Nick Mason, Robbie McIntosh, Graham Broad, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Tom Jones, Paul Young, Paul Carrack, John Illsley, Zucchero, Bonnie Tyler and Paul Jones.
Jane-M Photography 