300 hospice patients, families, staff and volunteers have come together this year from 18 London hospices to form a choir. The group are taking on the might of The X Factor and aiming for this year’s Christmas number 1 with a cover of “The Living Years,” lead by Paul Carrack, who was also lead vocalist on the original 1991 hit.
The multi-generational London Hospices Choir recorded their new take on the classic track at the world famous Abbey Road Studios and shot the moving music video at with patients at Clapham’s Royal Trinity Hospice, under the direction of top Hollywood film director Annabel Jankel (Super Mario Bros, Live from Abbey Road).
Lead vocalist Paul Carrack said, “The Living Years has been an important song for me for many years, but this is the version that means the most. Recording it with this incredibly special group of people for such a worthwhile cause has created some kind of magic. It’s a powerful and inspiring track, and I hope that everyone gets behind it this Christmas.”
Choir member Lillian John (94), a patient at St Joseph’s Hospice, Hackney, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer more than 9 years ago said, “I have been given a new lease of life being part of the London Hospices Choir. St Joseph’s Hospice has been like a family to me, and now I feel like I am part of a huge extended family with 300 people all wanting to give something back to these wonderful places.”
Music producer James Hawkins said, “The idea of recording ‘The Living Years’ with this wonderful choir came to me as I was walking around the pond at Royal Trinity Hospice. The song’s message was reflected so strongly as I watched generations come together at a place of such serenity and life to share important conversations. It couldn’t be a better message for everyone to hear this Christmas.”
The choir is a lovely example of charities working together towards their common goal. All profits from the sale of the single will be divided between the 18 hospices involved, helping them to support those reaching the end of their lives, and their families. The hospices include; Demelza Hospice Care for Children, Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice, Harlington Hosice, Haven House, Marie Curie (Hampstead), Noah’s Ark, North London Hospice, Pembridge Palliative Care Centre, Princess Alice Hospice, Richard House, Royal Trinity Hospice, Shooting Star Chase, St Christopher’s, Saint Francis Hospice (Romford), The Hospice of St Francis (Berkhamsted), St Joseph’s Hospice, St Luke’s Hospice and St Raphael’s Hospice.
‘The Living Years’ by The London Hospices Choir and Paul Carrack is being released on December 16th. It will be available to pre-order from November 11th on iTunes and Amazon.
