Robert Plant confirmed for unique charity gig at Abbey Road

• Bid for your chance to be there

ROCK fans have today been given the opportunity of a lifetime to see the legendary star Robert Plant play a unique and intimate gig in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Sound & Vision, sponsored by Shepperton, takes place at Abbey Road Studios on 25 February 2010. The event, which is now in its fifth year, has raised over £700,000 for Cancer Research UK’s lifesaving work since it started in 2006. Robert’s set will include support from American singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman and the London Oriana Choir, in what promises to be a completely unique, one-off performance.

The event will once again be hosted by BBC Radio 2 DJ ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris, who is patron alongside ‘the fifth Beatle’ Sir George Martin. In addition to Robert Plant’s set, David Gray and Newton Faulkner are also performing on the night.

Robert Plant fans can bid for a chance to attend the sold out event via the Sound & Vision eBay site from today (1 February 2010). As well as VIP tickets, which all involve a meet and greet with the performers, a range of heritage music memorabilia is also available to bid for, 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

On the night 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.

Robert Plant said: “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.”

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.

Bob Harris, patron of Sound & Vision and cancer survivor, said: “I’m thrilled and proud that Robert Plant is taking part in this year’s Sound & Vision. We have a lot of history together – he even performed an impromptu gig for my 60th birthday party – so it’s great to have him on board. It’s truly inspiring to see him and so many other respected names from the music and photography industry come together to help raise money for Cancer Research UK’s lifesaving work.”

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. Bill Cannon, CEO of Shepperton, said: “Sound & Vision is a chance for Shepperton to unite with the music industry and other music fans to raise money to beat cancer. We are proud to support this unique event.”

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.

Visit here to be in with a chance to get your hands on the last few remaining tickets to Sound & Vision and other music memorabilia.

ENDS

For further press information, please contact the Cancer Research UK press office 020 7061 8315