Pete Townshend Announces Prince's Trust Rock Gala Gig

The Who guitarist to play at tenth gala   25-Oct-11

Pete Townshend has announced that he is to perform at this year's Prince's Trust Rock Gala. The 2011 concert will be the tenth in the event's history, and will see a number of big names performing along-side the legendary guitarist.

Pete Townshend said:

"I'm delighted to be able to play at this year's concert, nearly 30 years after I helped George Martin organise the very first Rock Gala in 1982 with Kate Bush, Robert Plant, Phil Collins and others. The following year was the extraordinary pairing of Madness with Duran Duran. Those were exciting times.

"The next engagement for me was at a Prince's Trust concert in Hyde Park in 1996 when I presented the first full-length concert version of my rock-opera Quadrophenia. This event led to The Who reforming after a long separation. Another exciting time for me.

"The Trust has helped so many young people I have met. It has done so in simple, direct and practical ways. The Trust's music events have always played a vital role in educating the public about what The Trust does for young people every day."

Amongst the other artists to appear at the show is The Feeling. Singer, Dan Gillespie, is delighted to be involved:

"The Trust's reputation for putting on first-class music concerts spans three decades and the band is delighted to be on board for this one.

"Anyone who loves music as much as we do and wants to show their support for almost a million young people who are struggling to find work in this country should join us next month and help continue the legacy that is The Prince's Trust Rock Gala."

Last year's concert saw the likes of Brian May, Jamie Cullum, and Midge Ure take to the stage together to raise money for the young people's charity. This year's performers will include Midge Ure, Cerys Matthews, Boy George, Julian Lennon, Kenney Jones, and Chris De Burgh.

Rich Beech
@sonicamped