By Susan Fredricks on
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and The Sun newspaper have asked Simon Cowell, the brains behind “American Idol” and “X Factor,” to orchestrate a single that will benefit the earthquake victims of Haiti.
Cowell immediately got busy, and he has so far assembled an all-star cast that includes Leona Lewis, Rod Stewart, Michael Buble, Susan Boyle, JLS and Cheryl Cole to record a remake of REM’s “Everybody Hurts.” Cowell has also approached Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John, both of whom are very close to signing on.
Cowell reveals, “We haven’t got an awful lot of time, but we are going to do something and attempt to raise as much money as possible”.
JLS band member, Ortise Williams, is especially emotional about performing on the single because he has family members in Haiti.
“We are deeply touched the song has been chosen for this Haiti campaign,” said REM Manager Bertis Downs. “It means a lot that the song the guys wrote all those years ago will be used for such an important appeal.”
Cowell is quickly trying to wrap-up the star-studded line up and has praised the “response” from the music community.
“We have a short time to do this and the people in Haiti need as much help as we can give them as soon as possible,” affirms Cowell. “I’d like to make this record with as many different types of singer as we can and I hope everyone in the industry comes together to get involved. The initial response has been fantastic.”
Cowell’s goal is to release the song on Sunday, January, 31, 2010, and all proceeds will be donated to charities Disasters Emergency Committee and Helping Haiti/Medicins Sans Frontiers.
Copyright © 2010 Look to the Stars
