The event is called ‘Rock of Ages’ and has been organised by DrumWright Managing Director Chris Wright, who is one of the driving forces behind the new charity Music For All. Chris explains:

‘Music For All is a charity which has the simple aim of getting more people - from every age group - to play music. Rock of Ages aims to bring together some of the most successful drummers in the UK for a one-off fund raising event to raise funds to help today’s aspiring musicians to take up an instrument."

The careers of some of these drummers span more than six decades. They include:

BRIAN BENNETT - legendary drummer with The Shadows for nearly 50 years - and one of Britain’s top conductors, arrangers and composers, playing with fellow Shadow Mark Griffith (bass).

CLEM CATTINI - drummer with ‘Johnny Kidd and the Pirates’ and ‘The Tornados’, the first British band to top the charts in the UK and USA simultaneously in 1962. He was the drummer on no less than 47 chart topping singles (including Love Affair’s ‘Everlasting Love’, Tom Jones ‘The Green Green Grass Of Home’, Jeff Becks ‘Hi Ho Silver Lining’ and many of the Kinks hits). He is widely regarded as one of Britain’s finest session drummers. He will be accompanied by ‘The Rock Masters’, featuring one-time member of ‘The Springfields’ Mike Hurst, who went on to play in ‘The Methods’ with Jimmy Paige, Albert Lee and Tony Ashton before becoming one of the UK’s top record producers (over 50 chart singles and 25 Platinum albums, including Manfred Mann, Cat Stevens, PP Arnold, The Move and Showaddywaddy); Colin Farley (bass), best known as a member of Cutting Crew and co-writer of their 70’s hit ‘I Died In Your Arms Tonight’; and one of Britain’s top guitarists, Ray Fenwick (Spencer Davis, Ian Gillan).

BOB HENRIT - One of the UK’s most respected rock drummers (Adam Faith & The Roulettes, Argent, The Kinks) - and - he will be bringing ex- Argent guitarist John Verity and ex-Matthew Southern Comfort and Shadows bass player Mark Griffith with him. Their performance will include Argent’s classic 70’s hit ‘Hold Your Head Up’.

RIC LEE - drummer with Woodstock veterans Ten Years After who will be appearing at the concert with them, and will include in their set ‘Going Back Home’, widely held to be one of the high-spots of Woodstock a mere 39 years ago!

BOBBY ORR - In his 80th year, Bobby’s playing credits include Shirley Bassey, Pat Boone, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis, Billy Eckstein, Benny Goodman, Ted heath & Tommy Steele. One of the finest jazz and session drummers the UK has ever produced, and Bobby will be performing with a big band of 15 - 19 year olds from the Berkshire Maestros.

NIGEL SHIPWAY - one of the UK’s top percussion players - a man with a CV that reads like a Who’s Who of the UK music scene.

Also playing will be top Deep Purple tribute band ‘The Purple Project’, featuring drummer Johnny Marter, who has played with or supported many big names in rock, including Meatloaf, Status Quo, Barclay James Harvest, Queen, Tom Petty, Journey, Marillion, Black Sabbath, Kiki Dee, Paul Young, Annie Lennox , Peter Gabriel, Ronan Keating and Keith Richards. It was hoped that Deep Purple’s drummer, Ian would sit in with the band, but he will be on tour in South America. However, Ian has kindly donated a masterclass with himself, which will be auctioned at or shortly after the event.