Legends gather for Children in Need

His dulcet tones may be leaving the breakfast airwaves but Sir Terry Wogan was using them today to help record a charity version of a Beatles classic.

The broadcaster joined stars including Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman at London’s world-famous Abbey Road studios to lay down tracks for an album raising money for Children In Need. The “supergroup” came together to perform a version of All You Need Is Love, which will be used on the forthcoming Bandaged Together album.

The project has been organised by Terry Wogan fans known as The TOGs (Terry’s Old Geezers and Gals). Sir Terry said: “Last year thanks to the TOGs we raised about £3 million for Children In Need. We had Bandaged One which sold an awful lot and made hundreds of thousands of pounds for the charity. “The idea this year is Bandaged Two and we are hoping to raise even more money.”

Sir Terry also performed with the Irish singer Finbar Furey on a version of The Fields of Athenry for the album. He said: “The singing was brilliant but I was held up by these professional musicians.” Hellen Bach from the TOGs explained: “Stars are giving us their time and their talent. We are eternally grateful as are the children who will benefit from their efforts. “We were delighted with the reaction to last year’s release and we thought we should try and go one better this time around.”

Some of the world’s biggest and most influential bands have recorded at the Abbey Road studios including the Beatles and Pink Floyd. Pink Floyd manager Mr Mason said there was always a special atmosphere attached to the studios. He explained: “In terms of musical importance this place would rank somewhere between Hampton Court and the Houses of Parliament.
“The greats have all been here and the place just exudes atmosphere. “I was lucky enough to see the Beatles recording here and it was literally like watching royalty.”

The album, which also includes tracks by the singer Aled Jones and others will be released next month.

(PIC EXCLUSIVE: Matt Sprake/NEWSPICS)