Artists and songwriters from the EMI family unite for Japan
Artists and songwriters from across the EMI family are raising funds to help the Red Cross support people affected by last month’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan, through an incredible worldwide auction of personal items and memorabilia. Artists from the EMI Classics and Virgin Classics family taking part in this exclusive charity auction include Angela Gheorghiu, Philippe Jaroussky, Yundi, and Diana Damrau. The auction, which will be managed by eBay at www.ebay.co.uk/EMIfamily4Japan, features items from some of the world’s biggest stars, including Coldplay, Norah Jones, Katy Perry, Gorillaz, Iron Maiden, Jane Birkin, the Beach Boys, David Guetta, Michael Franti, Lady Antebellum, the Chemical Brothers, Depeche Mode, Celtic Woman, 30 Seconds to Mars, Rosanne Cash, Daft Punk, Herbert Grönemeyer, Angela Gheorghiu, Keith Urban, Good Charlotte, and the Beatles. All funds raised will be used towards the Japanese Red Cross disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Funds will be used for the ongoing provision of immediate relief to support the affected population during its recovery. EMI Group has committed to match all funds raised from the auction up to a maximum of one million euros.
The first phase of the charity auction started on April 5 and will run until April 15, with more than 200 exclusive money-can’t-buy items. A second phase of the auction runs from April 11 until April 21. Items included in the first phase include Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin’s jacket from the 2010 “Viva la Vida” world tour, Jane Birkin’s own “Birkin handbag” designed by Hermès, a pair of vintage speakers from Abbey Road’s famous Studio Three, five nights at Michael Franti’s yoga retreat in Bali, the Beastie Boys’ Japanese MTV award, and a signed limited-edition lithographic Depeche Mode print.
The second phase of the auction will include a 1987 Ferrari 412 as featured in Daft Punk’s film Electroma, Katy Perry’s cupcake trampoline from her current “California Dreams” world tour, a limited-edition Beatles’ Yellow Submarine Schwinn bicycle, a signed guitar from Norah Jones, the MacBook used by David Guetta to create the demos for One Love, framed handwritten lyrics by Brian Wilson, Tinie Tempah’s pink blazer from the “Frisky” video, and a limited-edition Gorillaz lithograph signed by Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn.
Multi-Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Norah Jones said: “Japan has been one of my favorite countries to visit and my heart goes out to everyone affected by this disaster. I’m so glad I can be part of this fundraising effort along with the EMI family.”
Brit Award-winner Tinie Tempah commented: “I was shocked when I heard about the earthquake and the devastating effect that it has had on the Japanese people, and my thoughts are truly with them. I’m happy to be a part of this great fundraising effort alongside the EMI family. I really hope it helps make things a little bit easier at such a difficult time.”
The list of items for sale in the first phase of the charity auction on April 5-15 includes the following:
30 Seconds to Mars – two tickets to a US show of the winning bidder’s choice, a “meet and greet” with the band, a limited-edition signed piece of merchandise, access to watch the show from the side of the stage, and a spot to join the band onstage during its performance of “Kings and Queens”
Aaron Neville – signed poetry book
Alice in Chains – a signed set-list, and 20-piece poster set
Angela Gheorghiu – her kimono costume from Madama Butterfly
B-52s – a dress worn by Kate Pierson, and a signed guitar
Bat for Lashes – a costume worn by Natasha, and a signed letter
Beastie Boys – a Japanese gold record, a Japanese MTV award, and a rare copy of their BAPE dolls, all signed
Celtic Woman – original dress worn by Máiréad Nesbitt in the A Christmas Celebration Live DVD
The Chemical Brothers – pair of guest tickets for Coachella, a “meet and greet” with the band, and a signed set-list
Coldplay – Chris Martin’s jacket from the 2010 “Viva la Vida” world tour
Darius Rucker – signed guitar, signed football, and signed CD
Depeche Mode – a framed limited-edition lithographic print created to celebrate the release of the Tour of the Universe: Barcelona DVD, signed by the band
Dierks Bentley – handwritten lyrics to “Beautiful World,” plus a signed CD, a signed photo, and a signed football
Eric Church – signed acoustic guitar
Family Force 5 – a private dinner with the band in Atlanta
Good Charlotte – a “meet and greet” with the band, a signed guitar, and free tickets to a live show
Herbert Grönemeyer – dinner with the singer in Berlin
Hot Chip – the original drawings for the Coming On Strong album
Huey Lewis and the News – handwritten, autographed, and framed lyrics, plus a personalized certified gold album for Greatest Hits, and a VIP concert experience and personal phone call from Huey to the winner
Immodesty Blaize – 1940s dress from a major photo shoot
Jane Birkin – her own “Birkin handbag”
Julien Clerc – signed platinum disc
Keith Urban – two tickets and a private “meet and greet” on his “Closer” tour
Keren Ann – a signed guitar
The Kooks – handwritten lyrics to “Ooh La”
Lady Antebellum – signed acoustic guitar
Little Big Town – signed acoustic guitar
Luke Bryan – a signed guitar
Melanie Chisholm – the singer’s Roberto Cavalli belt, as worn on the Spice Girls’ world tour
Michael Franti – five nights at the musician’s Bali yoga retreat
Raphael – NRJ Award for Best Male Artist from 2006
Sick Puppies – a signed acoustic guitar
Simple Minds – spend a day on tour with the band
Tiziano Ferro – painting by a top artist, created for the singer and inspired by his music
Vasco Rossi – a special black carpet, used at the launch of his new album
The list of items for sale in the second phase of the charity auction, from April 11-21, includes the following:
Arcade Fire – four VIP tickets to the band’s Hyde Park show on June 30, 2011
B-52s – signed guitar
Beach Boys – signed limited-edition Pet Sounds plaque, plus handwritten, autographed, and framed lyrics to a Beach Boys song by Brian Wilson
The Beatles – Schwinn bicycle featuring Yellow Submarine artwork – the last of an extremely limited edition
Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) – a signed limited-edition tour T-shirt worn by Billy Corgan
Chris Tomlin – handwritten and signed lyrics
Corinne Bailey Rae – Prada dress – a personal favorite of Bailey Rae’s – as worn on her first tour, with an accompanying note from the singer
Daft Punk – 1987 Ferrari 412, as used in the Daft Punk film Electroma
David Bowie – 35 albums signed by the artist
David Crowder Band – signed Yamaha “keytar”
David Gilmour – three framed and signed prints of the Pink Floyd vocalist/guitarist in Gdansk, as photographed by Anna Wloch, comprising Gilmour with his wife, Polly, and Polish president Lech Walesa; Gilmour on stage for a soundcheck; and a selection of his guitars
David Guetta – the producer’s Apple MacBook, as used to create demos for his album One Love
Deadmau5 – the producer’s famous diamante “mau5 head” stage costume
Dean Martin – the opportunity to record a duet with the singer at the world-famous Capitol Studios
Duffy – the bicycle used by the singer in the making of her 2009 Diet Coke commercial
Duran Duran – a painting by the band
A Fine Frenzy – outfit worn by the lead singer to the 2011 Grammys, plus the handwritten lyrics to a song of the winning bidder’s choice
Gorillaz – limited-edition lithograph with certificate of authenticity signed by Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn
Helene Fischer – a dress worn onstage by the German singer
Iron Maiden – exclusive limited-edition “Ed Force One” A2 print signed by Iron Maiden, two pieces of original Iron Maiden Japan 2011 event artwork signed by artist Hervé Monjeaud, plus signed Nicko McBrain drumsticks as used on “The Final Frontier” world tour
Jeff Bridges – signed guitar, and a drawing of the seed maze from the actor/musician’s yard
JLS – Aston and Ortise’s bowling shirts from the filming of Stars and Strikes, plus two signed albums
Jonas Brothers – signed bag
Juan Luis Guerra – the hat worn on the cover of La Llave De Mi Corazon, signed by the artist
Katy Perry – a cupcake trampoline featured onstage on the singer’s current “California Dreams” tour
Kylie Minogue – large white wooden “Kylie” lettering – signed – from the Fever album promotional campaign
Marisa Monte – signed limited-edition CD/DVD kit
Megadeth – a guitar signed by Dave Mustaine
Norah Jones – a signed guitar
Philippe Jaroussky – signed and framed gold disc
Priscilla Ahn – a watercolor painting created by the singer-songwriter after the Japanese earthquake, entitled Falling, Tumbling, Raindrop Heart
The Prodigy – signed drum machine from the band’s studio, and a 7-inch limited-edition copy of Invaders Must Die
Rosanne Cash – blouse designed by Catherine Malandrino that the singer wore on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2006, autographed copies of her Black Cadillac and The List albums, autographed copy of her memoir Composed, and two free tickets to any concert of the winning bidder’s choice with a “meet and greet” backstage
Scouting for Girls – signed memorabilia
Simply Red – signed and framed set-list from a gig in Tokyo
Tinie Tempah – pink blazer, as worn by the rapper in the video for “Frisky”
Willie Nelson – signed guitar
There are three items donated by the world famous Abbey Road Studios, including an in-depth tour of the studio (which is otherwise not open to members of the public); a pair of Quested Q412 loudspeakers; system, amps, and crossovers (c.1987) from Abbey Road Studio Three; and a 1921 Steinway grand piano from the now-closed Olympic Studios, with a photograph of Bono played it.
In addition to these items, the charity auction will feature a number of other special items including a complete set of all 37 volumes of the hit US compilation series Now That’s What I Call Music!, plus a number of signed CDs, boxed sets, posters, and other items from artists including Jane’s Addiction, Robbie Williams, John Lennon, David Bowie, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, and The Band.