Basingstoke Rock Choir will follow in the footsteps of Lady Gaga and The Rolling Stones by launching an assault on the album charts through the Universal record company.
Featuring popular anthems such as Can’t Hurry Love, Valerie, Walking on Broken Glass and more, the album will be released on Monday, July 5. Members of the choir will not be making money out of the album but are sure to enjoy the ‘rock star’ status with album signings and performances across the borough.
Joining hundreds of other choirs across the country in producing the album, Basingstoke members believe the Rock Choir experience is about more than chart success.
Glen Harvey, Rock Choir leader, said: “It’s a fantastic album and really captures the spirit of Rock Choir, a unique singing experience which is fun, glamorous and for many can even be life changing. The thrill of performance, laughter and friendship are all part of the Rock Choir experience.”
The group meet every Thursday at Cranbourne College, in Wessex Close and will be performing at Winchester Cathedral on Tuesday, June 29 and Wednesday, June 30.
Proceeds from the sale of Rock Choir’s first single Something Inside so Strong will go to the domestic abuse charity Refuge.
Sandra Horley OBE, chief executive of Refuge, said: “We were thrilled when Rock Choir contacted Refuge to discuss Refuge benefiting from Roch Choir’s first single. The fit between the song and both Rock Choir and Refuge’s aim to make a positive contribution to the lives of woman makes the partnership a brilliant fit. The money raised will play a vital role in supporting over 1,400 women and children Refuge works with each day to rebuild their lives free from violence.
“But working with Rock Choir is not just about the funds being raised from the single, it is also about having the support of a group who, through the work we are doing, will help us to raise the profile of domestic violence and the services available.”
The album will have to fend off stiff competition from Kylie Minogue and Scissor Sisters to reach number one in the album charts.
Tom Lewis, from Decca Records, Universal’s label, concluded: “Rock Choir is a phenomenon. When you hear them sing, it makes you feel fantastic – it’s totally infectious stuff.”
