Hank Marvin, Gary Brooker and Leo Sayer feature on Parkinson's benefit album backed by The Who

20 January 2025, 11:11

Leo Sayer contributes a powerful cover of 'Eleanor Rigby'.

Charity Cure Parkinson's has assembled an all-star cast of musicians for a new benefit album to help those suffering with the disease.

Think Loud 4 Parkinson's features the likes of Hank Marvin, the late Gary Brooker and Leo Sayer, among many others.

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The album also has the backing of Pete Townshend and The Who, whose Double O Charity contributed a £20,000 donation in support of the album.

Speaking about the cause, Townshend said “My interest in Parkinson's arose because my beloved father-in-law Edwin Astley, composer, died in great distress of Progressive supranuclear palsy which is loosely related to Parkinson's.

"Then, a very close friend, James Morgan, another composer, revealed he has Parkinson's."

Think Loud for Parkinson's Disease - Kindred Spirit feat; Leo Sayer

He added: Since then I have tried to help raise awareness around this awful illness, and the really terrible side effects of the large amount of necessary drugs every day, and the incredible pain they ameliorate.

"Many people don’t realise how much pain Parkinson's can cause."

Of his cover of The Beatles' 'Eleanor Rigby', Leo Sayer said: "I actually made two versions for my album - one of them was almost a grunge style cover, believe it or not. I put a Michael Jackson-inspired version on in the end.

“The song felt fitting, 'Ah, look at all the lonely people'. Well, people who are going through Parkinson's will tell you it can be one of the loneliest experiences in the world."

Think Loud 4 Parkinson's is released on February 14, 2025, with vinyl and CD editions to follow on February 21. It is available to pre-order now.

It was compiled by Ian Grant, a manager who played a key role in the careers of Big Country, The Cult, The Stranglers and Elizabeth McGovern.

LEO SAYER - "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles

The full tracklisting is as follows:

1. Think Loud - Kindred Spirit, Leo Sayer, John Illsley
2. All Right Now - Kindred Spirit, Arthur Brown, Sonia Kristina
3. Angels - Kindred Spirit, Marcella Detroit, Tony Hadley
4. Meet on the Ledge - Fairport's Cropredy 20
5. Tobacco Road - Richard Thompson, Hugh Cornwell
6. Soul Mining - Leo Sayer, Marcella Detroit
7. House of the Rising Sun - The Crazy World of Lockdown feat Arthur Brown
8. Old Dingo  - John Cooper Clarke
9. I Can't Stand the Rain - Ann Peebles, Deborah Bonham
10. Over My Shoulder - Mike & The Mechanics
11. Let There Be Drums - KODO drums, Hank Marvin, Roger Taylor
12. Ford 44 - Bob Weston
13. Lock and Key - The Dirty Strangers featuring John Sinclair
14. No Tomorrow - Mark Butcher
15. Soul City - The Waterboys
16. Wardance (A Nice Cup of Tea?) Dub Edit - Killing Joke remix by Youth
17. Gin House Blues - Andy Fairweather Low
18. How Long - Paul Carrack
19. Eleanor Rigby - Leo Sayer (only available on vinyl)
20. A Whiter Shade of Pale - Gary Brooker