Instead of the usual moneymaking fundraisers to provide aid for the Tsunami relief, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne have come up with another way to raise the money. While the Osbournes constantly continue to seek ways to help the tsunami victims, this is their most creative idea yet, they collaborated with Eric Clapton, and decided to remake his 1992 hit song, “Tears in Heaven,” to benefit storm recovery efforts in Southeast Asia. Ozzy and Sharon have managed to obtain a whole line-up of stars to provide vocals for the track. Sharon is set to produce the track with the aid of “American Idol” judge and star Simon Cowell. Cowell will join the rock matriarch to produce this star-studded single. Sharon, after talking it over with Clapton and his lawyers, concluded it was the perfect song. Osbourne said in a released statement, “We approached Eric and his lawyers and everyone else said ʻyesʼ straight away…we could not think of a more appropriate song.”
Teaming up with Clapton to provide vocals for this remake are stars such as Elton John, Italian opera star Andrea Bocelli, Rod Stewart, Phil Collins and Steven Tyler. Also on the track are the vocal stylings of Gwen Stefani, Pink, Velvet Revolver, Ozzy and daughter Kelly Osbourne, Robbie Williams and Josh Groban. “The people taking part are spread all over the world. They will probably have to record their parts in local studios and then we can put them all together,” said Sharon Osbourne.
That is exactly what had to happen. The recording sessions were split up between the two continents of London and the United States. Velvet Revolver, Elton John, and Andrea Bocelli laid down vocals at Londonʼs Whitfield Street Studio. The following week, Stefani, Stewart, the Osbournes, Josh Groban and Robbie Williams laid down their tracks in Los Angeles. Pink is set to record in New York with the collaboration of Steven Tyler, who is also recording out of Boston. Claptonʼs original version of “Tears” was written after the tragic death of his four-year-old son Conor in 1991, who fell from a 53-story apartment window in New York City.
The original track appeared on the 1992 soundtrack to the film “Rush.” It then later appeared on Claptonʼs Unplugged album. The song took home several Grammy awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Proceeds raised from the new version of “Tears,” will go to the Save the Children Fund, a tsunami-aid organization already in operation. Sales will also benefit the Disasters Emergency Committeeʼs Tsunami Earthquake Appeal.
The Osbournes have already donated more than $190,000 to the DEC and have recorded a public-service announcement asking others as fortunate as they, to provide help for the relief.
“Tears” is not the only charity tune in the making for raising money to aid the tsunami victims. Boy George, former Bee Gees Robin and Barry Gibb, Steve Winwood and ex-Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman are putting the final wraps to their own single titled “Grief Never Grows Old.”
There is no set release date for “Tears,” however the finishing touches are being added, so it should be soon. Osbourne and Cowell have released the song on Sony and BMG records, and are still anticipating the release of the track on the radio.