Andy Taylor joins forces with rock legends Ozzy Osbourne, Noddy Holder and Nick Mason for a festive new single on behalf of The Cancer Awareness Trust, after revealing his own battle with the disease.
- Andy Taylor, Ozzy Osbourne, Nick Mason and Noddy Holder have teamed up to record the charity single This Christmas Time
- The festive song supports a new global online project providing information to people living with cancer.
- The song was produced and mixed by Matt Bond, who also played bass, and Professor Sir Chris Evans, who plays guitar.
- Evans wrote the song after being inspired by stories of heroism and letters home from British World War I soldiers at Christmas time.
Rock legends Andy Taylor, Ozzy Osbourne, Nick Mason and Noddy Holder have teamed up to record the charity single This Christmas Time on behalf of The Cancer Awareness Trust.
The festive song supports a new global online project providing information to people living with cancer, run by the British charity.
Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne narrates a rousing introduction to open the new song and Slade’s Noddy Holder closes by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
Get Involved: Duran Duran star Andy Taylor (pictured) has joined forces with a host of stars to record the charity single This Christmas Time on behalf of The Cancer Awareness Trust
The song was recorded at Abbey Road Studios, the spiritual home of The Beatles, and features Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor, who recently revealed his own battle with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer.
Speaking of his involvement with the project, he said: “The underlying sense of community and diversity that runs through the musicians’ DNA, comes together here in the most beautiful of songs.
“Music has always been a joy and sometimes it’s a privilege, a privilege to work with such an amazing group of people, to create a wonderful track and hopefully we can raise awareness for the amazing work of The Evamore Project” .
Leading the way: Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne narrates a moving introduction to open the new song.
Beat of the drum: Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason also appears on new charity single
Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, lead vocalist Casi Wyn, pianist Nick Lloyd Webber, viola player Polly Wiltshire and singer Reebz, who provides harmonies, also appear on the track.
Mason added: ‘It’s an honor and a pleasure to be asked to play on this record… I mean, what’s not to like? My favorite recording studio, the chance to work with great artists on a wonderful song, and for the most worthy cause… Oh, and complimentary lunch at Abbey Road Diner!’
Actress and singer Samantha Womack, who also recently shared her cancer journey, provides backing vocals, as does first-time singer Nina Lopes, an ambassador for The Cancer Awareness Trust.
Hard at Work: (L-R) Actress and singer Samantha Womack, who has also recently shared her cancer experience, debuting singer Nina Lopes and singer Reebz, who provides harmonies.
The song was produced and mixed by Matt Bond, who also played bass, and Professor Sir Chris Evans, who plays guitar.
Evans also wrote the song after being inspired by stories of heroism and letters home from British front-line soldiers of World War I over Christmas.
Of his own participation, Holder, best known for his raucous voice on Slade’s classic Merry Xmas Everybody, admitted that he was delighted to have the opportunity to participate.
Iconic: The song was recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios, the spiritual home of the Beatles.
He said: “I recorded a full narration, telling the story of some incredibly brave soldiers of the First World War, for inclusion on the album in 2023 and a short Christmas message for This Christmas Time.”
It has been released on Evamore Records and will be available on streaming and download platforms starting Friday, December 16, 2022.
The song is also available to play on The Cancer Platform website, where photos of the recording sessions, quotes from the artists and information from Prof Sir Chris on how he put the song together and why are available.