Rod Stewart, Michael Buble cover R.E.M. for Simon Cowell’s Haiti relief single
By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)Jan 22, 2010 09:51 PM
Rod Stewart and Michael Buble have agreed to record a cover of R.E.M.‘s “Everybody Hurts” for Simon Cowell’s “Helping Haiti” relief efforts. The “American Idol” judge—who is working with The Sun newspaper on the project—also has enlisted “The X Factor” stars Leona Lewis and JLS for the recording. Thursday night, Cowell—at the urging of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown—said he would assemble talent and rush-release a Haiti-relief single within a week to 10 days.
R.E.M. manager Bertis Downs told the British newspaper the band is “deeply touched” that the ballad will be the “Helping Haiti” single. “It means a lot that the song the guys wrote all those years ago will be used for such an important appeal,” Downs said. The band also has agreed to relinquish all publishing royalties for the charity track.
Cowell reportedly is negotiating with Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams, Coldplay, George Michael and Take That to join the recording session. “Simon is working behind the scenes to persuade more acts to come on board,” The Sun reported. “And he is determined they will be all types of musician, not just ‘his’ reality stars.”
“We have short time to do this and the people in Haiti need as much help as we can give them as soon as possible,” Cowell told The Sun. “I’d like to make this record with as many different types of singer as we can and I hope everyone in the industry comes together to get involved. The initial response has been fantastic.”
All proceeds from the single will be split between The Sun’s Helping Haiti fund and the official Disasters Emergency Committee.
The single is set to be released later this month by Sony, who has agreed to provide free studio time. The song will be produced by Steve Robson, who has worked extensively with Take That.