The official Poppy Appeal single 2011
23 October 2011
The Official Poppy Appeal Single for 2011 is the poignant I've Gotta Get a Message to You, performed by The Soldiers with Bee Gees legend Robin Gibb.
Released on 23 October 2011, and now
available from Amazon, HMV, www.poppyshop.org.uk and
other leading outlets. The Soldiers' royalties will
go to The Royal British Legion's annual fundraising
drive launching nationally on 27 October. It is the first time
serving soldiers have released the Official Single for the Poppy
Appeal, which will focus this year on the Legion's assistance in
the recovery of injured Armed Forces personnel.
The track has been produced by the renowned Nick Patrick (Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watson) and Jeff Chegwin. Robin Gibb wrote the song with his brothers Barry and Maurice and it was originally recorded by the Bee Gees in 1968, becoming their second number one single on the UK singles chart.
Robin Gibb said: "Although not written all those years back about soldiers, it can represent the human emotions of Servicemen - or in this case, a single soldier. It's about being trapped in a corner far from home, brave but scared and thinking of loved ones. These men and women deserve our respect and we need to remind ourselves that they - including of course Ryan, Gary and Richie - are prepared to lay down their lives for our freedoms."
Russell Thompson, Director of Fundraising for The Royal British Legion, said: "I've Gotta Get a Message to You is part of the soundtrack to our lives, and it's incredibly moving to hear it performed by serving soldiers thinking of those on operations in Afghanistan. We're proud to be associated with The Soldiers and to have this song as the official tune of the Poppy Appeal in our 90th anniversary year."
The Soldiers -
Sergeant Major Gary Chilton, Staff Sergeant Richie Maddocks and
Lance Corporal Ryan Idzi - were aware of Robin Gibb's charitable
work for the Armed Forces and big fans of The Bee Gees when they
approached Robin and asked if he would be up for a duet with them -
they were over the moon when he agreed.
On Monday 24 October, The Soldiers visited 10 Downing Street and gave a short performance of the song for the Prime Minister. You can view a video of the visit below or on our YouTube channel.
For more information:
Rebecca Warren, PR Officer, The Royal British Legion
T: 0203 207 2239, M: 07824 301 072, E: rwarren@britishlegion.org.uk
