HARD ROCK INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES “PINKTOBER”
BEVERLEY KNIGHT, STARSAILOR, MELANIE C AND STAIND PERFORM ACROSS THE UK TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE CARON KEATING FOUNDATION
Strictly embargoed until 9am Friday 5 September 2008
London, 5 September 2008 – Hard Rock International today announce 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 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.
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 organisation, 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 programme 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. Last year saw Wet Wet Wet, Ghosts, Nerina Pallot, Lil’ Chris and Ross Copperman all perform for this worthy cause and this year’s line up is set to be just as exciting.
Platinum selling artist Beverley Knight will take to the Hard Rock stage on 8 October 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.
http://www.beverleyknight.com/ Hard Rock favourites 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 15 October.
http://www.starsailor.net/ Liverpool’s Melanie C will take to the Manchester stage on 9 October. 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.
http://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.
http://www.staind.com PINKTOBER DATES:
Wednesday 17 September STAIND Hard Rock, London
Wednesday 8 October BEVERLEY KNIGHT Hard Rock, London
Thursday 9 October MELANIE C Hard Rock, Manchester
Wednesday 15 October STARSAILOR Hard Rock, London
Tickets go on sale Friday 5 September and are available through www.ticketweb.co.uk, or for London shows only, by calling Hard Rock Cafe London on 0207 514 1700. Tickets for Staind & Starsailor priced at £18, Beverley Knight at £25 and Melanie C at £20.
In addition to the live music, Hard Rock “Pinktober” merchandise will be sold exclusively at select Hard Rock International properties worldwide, including Cafes, Hotels, Casinos, Park and on www.hardrock.com. These include:
· Hard Rock’s “Pinktober” pin, the ninth in a series supporting breast cancer research, features a silver, three-dimensional curved hinge covering the body of the guitar, filled with clear rhinestones. When the hinge is opened, a hot pink acoustic guitar with a pale pink ribbon design – a symbol for breast cancer supporters – is revealed. The pin also features the powerful message “Stop Breast Cancer for Life.”
· Hard Rock’s “Pinktober” offerings also include a baby doll black, ladies T-shirt. It features Hard Rock’s “Love All, Serve All” mantra and the Hard Rock brand logo in black foil across the front center chest, accented with a pink rhinestone-adorned ribbon.
· A keychain has also been created for “Pinktober.” This beautiful keychain features seven charms that capture the spirit of peace, love, life and rock ‘n’ roll – including a pink ribbon, a heart, a peace sign, a microphone, a guitar, a lip print and the iconic Hard Rock logo.
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.
About The Caron Keating Foundation
The Caron Keating Foundation is a fund raising partnership set up by Gloria Hunniford, Paul & Michael Keating and Russ Lindsay. The Foundation will offer financial support to professional carers, complimentary healing practitioners and support groups dealing with cancer patients, as well as individuals and families who are affected by the disease. It will also financially help a number of cancer charities with their ongoing quest for prevention, early detection and hopefully ultimate cure. For more information, please visit www.caronkeating.org.
About Hard Rock International
With 125 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes and nine Hotels/Casinos in 48 countries, Hard Rock International is one of the world’s most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Pattaya and Bali. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Macau and Penang, both scheduled to open in 2009; Palm Springs, Atlanta and Panama, scheduled to open in 2010; and Dubai, scheduled to open in 2011. Hard Rock Park, located in Myrtle Beach, is the world’s first rock ‘n’ roll theme park. Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For more information on Hard Rock, visit www.hardrock.com.
