Hard Rock International announced the launch of "Pinktober" - a month-long initiative to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research through a series of live music gigs featuring Hue and Cry, Beverley Knight, Starsailor, Melanie C and Staind.
For the second year running, Hard Rock Cafes in the U.K. will donate proceeds to The Caron Keating Foundation, which offers financial support and grants to all types of cancer charities, professional carers, complimentary healing practitioners, as well as individuals and families who are affected by the disease.
Hard Rock has teamed up with leading guitar makers Epiphone to produce a number of specially customized Epiphone Les Paul Junior guitars with the breast cancer pink ribbon logo emblazoned across the body. Each Epiphone Les Paul Junior guitar will be displayed at a participating Hard Rock Cafes around Europe during Pinktober.
Those who benefit range from hospices, professional carers and all types of support groups. Founder of the foundation, Gloria Hunniford... "I am so thrilled that Hard Rock Cafe has chosen to support the Caron Keating Foundation again. We are very much a family run organization, with our only expense being a part-time secretary. We have all in our working lives been involved in the music industry. Caron used to present a television rock program as well as hosting occasionally 'Top of the Pops', and I know, she would truly approve of 'Pinktober' and how many people dealing with cancer will be helped through your efforts in raising money, in her name."
Hard Rock’s 'Pinktober', which started out as 'Rocktober' in Europe in 2005 and grew into a global campaign, brings some of the world’s best live music to small and intimate surroundings. The series of events support local breast cancer charities across the world, and proceeds from each event throughout the month goes to the chosen charities.
Scottish pop brothers Hue and Cry join the Pinktober line up on October 15th in Edinburgh. With the release of their first mainstream album, Open Soul, in 16 years this month, Greg and Pat Kane have enjoyed a hugely successful two decades in music with their unique brand of thoughtful soul-influenced pop, with hit singles such as 'Labour of Love', 'Looking for Linda' and 'Violently'. www.hueandcry.co.uk
Platinum selling artist Beverley Knight will take to the Hard Rock stage on October 8th in London. Widely regarded as Britain's greatest soul singer, the multi award winning Beverley Knight will melt audiences with an acoustic set including her hit singles, "Greatest Day", "Shoulda Woulda Coulda" and "Come As You Are" as part of Pinktober. www.beverleyknight.com
Hard Rock favorites Starsailor return to the London stage for this prestigious event. The Wigan quartet have had three top ten albums and eleven Top 40 singles in the UK since 2001 and have won coveted NME and Q awards. As they near completion of their highly anticipated fourth studio album, Starsailor will play the London Cafe on October 15th. www.starsailor.net
Liverpool's Melanie C will take to the Manchester stage on October 9th. After shooting to fame as part of the Spice Girls, Melanie has gone on to forge her own successful solo career with four studio albums and a BRIT nomination. With hits including "Never Be the Same Again" and "When You’re Gone", Melanie C will support the Caron Keating Foundation when she plays Hard Rock Cafe Manchester this October. www.melaniec.net
Kick starting the Pinktober series will be Staind, whose single 'It's Been A While' was a Number 1 single on the Billboard charts and whose 10 year career has garnered 12 million album sales worldwide. Their last three albums debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Album Chart, earning their place as one of the most successful rock bands of the new millennium, with sixth studio album The Illusion Of Progress out Monday. www.staind.com
PINKTOBER DATES:
Wednesday September 17th -STAIND - Hard Rock, London
Wednesday October 8th - BEVERLEY KNIGHT - Hard Rock, London
Thursday October 9th - MELANIE C - Hard Rock, Manchester
Wednesday October 15th - HUE AND CRY - Hard Rock, Edinburgh
Tickets are on sale now and are available through www.ticketweb.co.uk, or for London shows only, by calling Hard Rock Cafe London on 0207 514 1700. Proceeds from the sale of special limited-edition 2008 Hard Rock "Pinktober" merchandise will benefit The breast Cancer Research Foundation, with 75% of the retail price of each pin sold and 15% of the retail price of each t-shirt and key chain sold going directly to the cause.
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