[Locke.]

Youtube video

Robbie Williams is one of a host of stars set to contribute to a Hillsborough charity single which is aiming to be Christmas No.1.

The former Take That singer - winner of 17 Brit awards - will work on the cover of The Hollies' classic He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother.

Produced by Guy Chambers, the song will also feature Paloma Faith, Mel C, Shane MacGowan, Mick Jones (The Clash), Peter Hooton (The Farm), Pete Wylie (The Justice Tonight Band), Richard Hawley, Chris Sharrock (Oasis), Ren Harvieu, Dave McCabe (The Zutons), Paul Heaton (Beautiful South), Hollie Cook, Jon McClure (Reverend & The Makers), John Power (Cast), Beverley Knight and Gerry Marsden (Gerry and the Pacemakers).

Further names are set to be added to this list ahead of the song's release on December 17. All artists involved are giving their time for free, and all proceeds from the sale of the single will go towards the Hillsborough families' legal costs in their fight for justice.

A press conference announcing the project was held at Westminster on Thursday evening, with Kenny Dalglish, Chambers and Steve Rotheram MP breaking the news to assembled media.

Chambers said: "I am deeply honoured to be asked to produce this record for the 96.

"If we can help to raise money to support the families' legal battle so that they finally get their time in court then our job will be done.

"I spent my teenage years in Liverpool and feel a deep affection for both its musical heritage and the unique solidarity of its people."

The original version of the song was used to great effect earlier this season by Everton at Goodison following the release of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report.

Dalglish added: "The families of the 96 should never have been in the position they are now in, of having to fight to get the accidental verdicts from the 1989 inquests overturned.

"I will continue to support their dignified campaign every step of the way."

Triple Ivor Novello-winning songwriter Chambers has previously worked with Williams, Kylie Minogue, Tom Jones and many others.

The recording sessions will take place at his London studio and at the world famous Metropolis Studios. Pledge Music will also be offering a host of exclusive items via their website to aid the campaign (www.pledgemusic.com).

In 2009, Steve Rotheram, then Lord Mayor of Liverpool, brought together Peter Hooton, John Power, Dave Pichilingi (Sound City), Phil Hayes (The Picket) and Kevin McManus (Liverpool Acme) among others to record Fields of Anfield Road for the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy. The record spent two weeks in the top 20.

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother is expected to go even further and will hopefully challenge the X-Factor winner for the Christmas Number 1 position.

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/late...ng-song-for-96

[Marcus.]

that not going to make Simon cowell happy

[Alf]

i bought the original hillsbrough charity single in 89
gerry marsden's ferry accross the mersey

[EddyEagal]

Sorry, but I'm almost certain the Christmas number one will be either Ella Henderson or Jamene Douglass I could be wrong, but we'll see!

[Locke.]

Union J will be settling for the Christmas #2 spot

[Alf]

Originally Posted by EddyEagal

Sorry, but I'm almost certain the Christmas number one will be either Ella Henderson or Jamene Douglass I could be wrong, but we'll see!

x factor wont beat a charity song, especially a charity song close to a lot of peoples hearts

[EddyEagal]

Originally Posted by wannashag

x factor wont beat a charity song, especially a charity song close to a lot of peoples hearts

I do agree with what you're saying, but.. if either Ella or Jahmene wins then they would have to be the most credible X Factor winners. Little Mix are great, but I think they took awhile to actually make their mark, which is probably why they were beaten. Whereas I think Jahmene and Ella have already got a massive following, bigger than Little Mix's following at this stage of the show. LM at the time were maybe average? But the charity single this year will have to go up against amazingggg singers. Big difference this year..

[Locke.]

Doesn't matter who wins, this song will still beat it

[Kate!]

I'll be buying this.

[InOne]

Some good names listed there. Definitely would prefer this to an X-Factor winner.

[Shaun]

how tacky.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Shaun

how tacky.

My sentiments exactly.

[Marc]

The Zutons

[Marc]

OMG and Beverley Knight

[Jack_]

Originally Posted by Locke.

Doesn't matter who wins, this song will still beat it

Do you think they're gonna win?

[Locke.]

Don't see what is tacky about it?

Originally Posted by Jack_

Do you think they're gonna win?

Who, Union J or this song?

[Jack_]

Originally Posted by Locke.

Don't see what is tacky about it?



Who, Union J or this song?

Union J do you think they're gonna win the show?

[Shaun]

I generally hate all charity singles and something about Hillsborough just seems so insignificant in the grand scheme of things

*gets clubbed to death by my scouse flatmate*

edit: probably would prefer it to beat the XF winner though (since that'll probably be someone boring like Ella, Jahmene or Chris)

[Locke.]

Originally Posted by Jack_

Union J do you think they're gonna win the show?

Not too sure, think they'll definitely be in the final 3 with Ella and one of the others (probably James or Jahmene), and I doubt Ella will win after being the favourite since the very start of live shows

[Brother Leon]

Will buy for the cause. Robbie aside the rest aren't artists I really care for though.

[Benjamin]

The artists involved could just donate some of their fortune to the cause instead of copying a song that already exists and releasing it as a "charity single". Or they could actually take the time and effort to come up with a new song especially for the cause.

I wish we lived in a world where charity singles were ineligible to chart.

[Locke.]

Song doesn't really matter, all about the cause. Could release 4 minutes of silence and the majority of people that are going to buy this song would have been buying that.

[Locke.]

Originally Posted by Marc

OMG and Beverley Knight

Thought it was a bit strange her being on at it first as she doesn't really have any connection to Liverpool/football, but this explains it - http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liver...2534-29778928/

Also, Rebecca Ferguson added now, noone is happy about it so she'll probably (hopefully) end up being forced off it.

[Maia]

Considering how terrible the X Factor results have been so far this year the winner will be the worst one yet, so this has my full support

[Raph]

It will be Jahmene.