HANK MARVIN, THE WATERBOYS, PAUL CARRACK, GARY BROOKER AMONG STARS ON ALBUM SUPPORTING CURE PARKINSON’S
ELEANOR RIGBY COVER: “PARKINSON’S IS ONE OF THE LONELIEST EXPERIENCES IN THE WORLD”
PETE TOWNSHEND OF THE WHO SPEAKS OUT ON ILLNESS SUFFERED BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS
The heartbreaking lyrics of The Beatles’ ‘Eleanor Rigby’ meet the classic groove of ‘Billie Jean’ on just one of the eye-catching highlights on a new charity compilation featuring contributions from a number of giants of popular music.
Kindred Spirit’s – Think Loud 4 Parkinson’s, released on 14th February 2025, will see a number of British rock legends team up to help raise awareness and funds for the charity Cure Parkinson’s. Members of Dire Straits and Queen contribute, as do The Waterboys and Punk-poet legend John Cooper Clarke. The album will be released in tandem with a re-issue of the previously launched title track, Think Loud, followed by vinyl and CD editions of the album arriving on February 21st.
Leo Sayer, who fronts three tracks on the compilation, including the reimagined, R&B version of ‘Eleanor Rigby, said “I actually made two versions for my album – one of them was almost a grunge style cover, believe it or not. I put a Michael Jackson inspired version on in the end.
“The song felt fitting: ‘’Ah, look at all the lonely people.’ Well, people who are going through Parkinson’s will tell you it can be one of the loneliest experiences in the world.’
Elsewhere on the album, The Waterboys share a previously unreleased track Soul City. Their contribution follows the news of a remarkable new album project alongside Bruce Springsteen and Fiona Apple, based on the life of American actor and director Dennis Hopper.
Think Loud 4 Parkinson’s will also see a one-off version of the 1961 instrumental Let There Be Drums, performed by the legendary Hank Marvin. Marvin was the lead guitarist in The Shadows, the best-selling Rock n Roll act before The Beatles.
Pete Townshend and The Who have shown their support with a generous donation. Ian Grant, on behalf of Cure Parkinson’s, secured a £20,000 donation from the band’s Double O Charity in support of the Think Loud 4 Parkinson’s album.
Speaking about the cause, Townshend said “My interest in Parkinson’s arose because my beloved father-in-law Edwin Astley, composer, died in great distress of Progressive supranuclear palsy which is loosely related to Parkinson’s.
“Then, a very close friend, James Morgan, another composer, revealed he has Parkinson’s. Since then I have tried to help raise awareness around this awful illness, and the really terrible side effects of the large amount of necessary drugs every day, and the incredible pain they ameliorate. Many people don’t realise how much pain Parkinson’s can cause.”
The project was put together by esteemed manager Ian Grant, who helped steer the careers of iconic talent Big Country, The Cult, The Stranglers, Elizabeth McGovern and many more. Grant was motivated to begin the project, alongside music producer Paul Mitchell and two others, in response to his own experience living with Parkinson’s disease for the last nine years. Of the four organisers involved in Think Loud 4 Parkinson’s, three have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
Speaking about Think Loud 4 Parkinson’s, Grant said: “To quote the words Pete Townshend said to me: ‘Ian, it’s not easy asking for favours for charitable stuff. It can be demeaning. But when it all works out, it makes it feel worth it.’
“I was determined to put this project together. It hasn’t been an easy journey but the contribution I’ve received from the talented people involved has kept this alive. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and Cure Parkinson’s have been unwavering in their support”.
2024 saw the release of the album’s first single, featuring lead vocals by Leo Sayer.
‘Think Loud’, the single, came out alongside a heart-warming, DIY style video featuring famous faces Glen Matlock of Sex Pistols, Blondie’s Clem Burke, British football legend Stuart Pearce, former England cricketer Mark Butcher, tennis star Pat Cash and the Golden Globe nominated Elizabeth McGovern. SEE HERE. The soulful, Pop/ Rock track was written by Strictly Come Dancing theme co-composer and organist Josh Philips, Paul Mitchell and Ian Grant. Among the artists featured on the track were John Illsley of Dire Straits and Marcella Detroit of Shakespear’s Sister.
