Bez takes to the skies for mental health charity
He'll be wing-walking!
Happy Mondays’ star Bez is set to take part in wing-walk for a mental health charity.
The Madchester favourite will be taking to the skies to raise money for Tonic Rider, a music mental health charity.
It will be the organisation’s third annual fundraiser and the second consecutive year that Bez will be taking part.
The event is called ‘Barry Ashworth’s Flying Circus’, named after the Dub Pistols frontman who is a patron for the charity that work with musicians and those in the wider music industry.
There are over 40 wing-walkers due to take part in the ‘Collective Wing Walk for Mental Health’ fundraiser hoping to raise £80,000 for the charity.
Bez said, “Everyone going through life suffers highs and lows, and when you’re at one of those low points, it’s good to know that there’s a bit of support out there for you.
“The most important thing is not being afraid to speak out and talk, because when you share your problems, it always lightens the load.”
Each participant will atop a plane which will perform a series of flypasts, steep dives, zoom climbs and loop-the-loops.
The event will take place at Aerosuperbatics in Cirencester on the weekend of September 28th and 29th.
Take a look at some of the biggest artists who went solo:
Paul Simon
Paul Simon's career has spanned over six decades. After releasing five albums as one half of duo Simon & Garfunkel, he went on to record some huge solo hits including 'Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard'!
Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks was a powerful force in legendary band Fleetwood Mac but has also achieved enormous success on her own, including being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her hits 'Edge of Seventeen' and 'Gold Dust Woman' continue to inspire songwriters everywhere.
Noel Gallagher
Songwriting powerhouse and mastermind behind Oasis' biggest hits, Noel Gallagher released his first solo project in 2011 as Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. They have since gone on to release numerous singles and two more albums, 'Chasing Yesterday' and 'Who Built The Moon?'
Liam Gallagher
Noel's little brother Liam is at home on stage, so it's no surprise the frontman returned to music as a solo artist in 2017 with his first single 'Wall of Glass'. He continues to play with Oasis co-founder Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs and has released two albums, 'As You Were' and 'Why Me? Why Not.'
Johnny Marr
Fellow Mancunian and legendary guitarist Johnny Marr first gained success with massively influential band The Smiths. After their split in 1987, he embarked on a solo career and has released solo music as well as collaborations like Electronic and Modest Mouse.
George Michael
George Michael was one half of duo Wham! and enjoyed huge hits like 'Club Tropicana'. However, he rose to international stardom on his own and played sold-out tours after the release of solo efforts including 'I Knew You Were Waiting For Me' alongside Aretha Franklin and 'Faith'.
Eric Clapton
Guitar hero Eric Clapton has won a total of 17 Grammy Awards spanning his career, including during his time in bands the Yardbirds and Cream. He has supplied rock fans with classics 'Lay Down Sally' and 'Wonderful Tonight'.
Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox rose to fame in 80s outfit Eurythmics but went on to enjoy a successful solo career and release six albums! She is a multi-Grammy Award-winner and has even won an Oscar for her song 'Into The West' which featured in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Peter Gabriel
Original lead singer of rock band Genesis, Peter Gabriel has enjoyed solo success, launched by his solo debut single 'Solsbury Hill'. His song 'Sledghammer' was famed for its incredible music video which won Peter a Brit Award, nine MTV Video Music Awards and three Grammy nominations.
Sting
Sting, aka Gordon Sumner, left hugely successful band The Police and triumphed over the charts with singles like 1985's 'The Dream of the Blue Turtles' and 1991's 'The Soul Cages'.
Paul Weller
It is incredible to think Paul Weller had EVEN MORE success after his time in mod band The Jam. He went on to have further hits with The Style Council and established himself as a solo artist in 1992 with his self-titled debut.
Diana Ross
She is one of the most legendary performers ever. Diana Ross left Motown sensations The Supremes in 1970 and embarked on an amazing solo career. Her version of 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' in 1970 scored her a number one and a Grammy nomination.
Phil Collins
Fellow Genesis bandmember Phil Collins went from behind the Genesis drumkit to behind the microphone as lead singer after the departure of Peter Gabriel. He also enjoyed huge solo success with hits including 'Face Value' and 'In The Air Tonight'.
Sir Paul McCartney
Like former bandmate John Lennon, Sir Paul McCartney had huge success after the breakup of The Beatles. He enjoyed success with band Wings and on his own, with hits including 'Maybe I'm Amazed' and 'Band On The Run'.
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