Cancer Research UK Forges Links With Sony BMG And Live Nation For Abbey Road Event 'Sound & Vision'

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 08 Oct 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Cancer Research UK has announced that Sound & Vision, its annual heritage music event, is being sponsored by Sony BMG, Live Nation and Sound Advice in 2009. The move comes after Sony BMG, the major music entertainment company and Live Nation, the world's leading concert promoter, both named Cancer Research UK as their charity of the year.

Sound & Vision will take place take place at the iconic Abbey Road Studios on 26 February 2009. Now in its 4th year, Sound & Vision has raised over £400,000 for Cancer Research UK and is a hot ticket for the capacity 400 guests.

This year, the inimitable DJ Bob Harris, who was recently treated for prostate cancer, has become Sound & Vision's Patron, joining Founding Patron Sir George Martin. This imaginative fundraising event includes a one-night only exhibition and auction of powerful music imagery by leading rock photographers such as Gered Mankowitz, Adrian Boot, Jill Furmanovsky and Terry O'Neil, as well as a live auction of music memorabilia giving guests the chance to own a piece of music history. There will be a host of stunning live music performances on the night. Details of musicians performing, photographers exhibiting and further sponsors, will be announced over the next few weeks.

Sound & Vision was started in 2004 and brings together people from across the creative industries and the City to Abbey Road to celebrate music, the people who make it and the imagery it inspires. Such has been Sound & Vision's success that the aim in 2009 is to increase the event's reach into the music industry with the valuable support of two of its most influential organisations - Sony BMG and Live Nation - and the patronage of the highly respected Bob Harris.

Bob Harris, who recently won his battle against cancer, explained his passionate commitment to Sound & Vision:

"Being diagnosed with cancer is a life changing experience. It gave me an insight into the huge advances being made through research to eradicate this awful disease that affects so many people. Fundraising is paramount for this vital research to continue.

"Learning of my experience, Cancer Research UK invited me to speak at their Sound & Vision event last year, and I was honoured when this year they invited me to be its patron. I'm delighted to be involved, and will do everything I can to make the evening a success and to raise much needed funds for Cancer Research UK."

Ged Doherty, Chairman and CEO of Sony BMG, said:

"The eclectic mix of performances and memorabilia at Sound & Vision, coupled with the intimacy of the Abbey Road Studios, makes it a truly unique music event. Next year's event is going to be bigger than ever and we're really excited to support it as part of our new relationship with Cancer Research UK."

Paul Latham, Chief Executive of Live Nation, said:

"We chose Cancer Research UK as our Charity of the Year because of the amazing work it's doing to beat cancer. It's great to be able to extend our support by sponsoring the 2009 Sound & Vision and we're looking forward to working with Cancer Research UK, Bob Harris and the other partners to make it the best event yet."

Steve Massey, Head of Special Events at Cancer Research UK, said:

"Sound & Vision brings the music industry together to help beat cancer, a disease which will affect one in three of us in our lifetimes. We're delighted to be working with these great partners and supporters to make the 2009 Sound & Vision the best one yet. I hope the whole music industry will get behind this special evening to help us raise vital funds and awareness of Cancer Research UK's work."

Tickets for Sound & Vision will be on sale from November. For more information visit http://www.soundandvisionofficial.com where the event's microsite is evolving.

The Howling Wolf Group, design house Stylorouge and Q Magazine are among the partners supporting Sound & Vision.

Sound & Vision