White Stripes See Red
Last updated: 12/07/2007 - 09:08
Playing ahead of a newly announced British tour in the Autumn, Detroit duo The White Stripes (Jack White: guitar, piano, vocals, Meg White: drums, occasional singing) played an intimate, acoustic show to a very special audience of ex-Servicemen at The Royal Hospital Chelsea, in support of the Chelsea Pensioners’ Appeal.
Pictured (right): The 'Stripes rock out in the State Apartments of The Royal Hospital, Chelsea.
The gig - which took place in the Hospitals' State Apartments - was enjoyed by an audience of twenty Chelsea Pensioners and invited supporters of the Pensioners’ Appeal.
The Grammy Award-winning band’s new album, Icky Thump, derived from the Yorkshire colloquialism “Ecky Thump”, was strongly influenced by all things British and in an unusual move by the band, they decided to play an afternoon show for the resident Pensioners.
Follow this link to watch the band perform the title track form new album Icky Thump on the XL Recordings 'site.
Following the gig at The Royal Hospital, the band went on to perform the same evening at the Rivoli Ballroom in Crofton Park to a select audience, with profits donated to the Chelsea Pensioners' Appeal along with charities supported by The London Pearly Kings and Queens Society.
Royal Hospital Chelsea
“The Chelsea Pensioners represent a living memorial to those who have fought and died for our country. We appreciate that The White Stripes value the importance of the Chelsea Pensioners and hope that their support will encourage their fans to support our former soldiers,” said Roy Ratazzi, Appeal Director.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea was built to care for old and injured soldiers and today houses approximately three hundred Pensioners. The Appeal is tasked with raising the remaining £12.4 million of a total £35 million by mid 2008. The money will be used to build and equip a new Infirmary (care home) and to modernise and upgrade the Chelsea Pensioners’ sheltered living accommodation in the famous Sir Christopher Wren designed Long Wards.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea was built in 1692 - founded by King Charles II and inspired by Louis XIV's Parisian 'Hotel des Invalides' - to provide for old and injured soldiers. Today the hospital is home to approximately three hundred Pensioners, providing a stimulating living environment for its residents. Men are eligible to become Chelsea Pensioners if they are in receipt of an Army Service or War Disability Pension and are free from the obligation to support a partner or family. Most Pensioners are usually 65 years or over although occasionally exceptions are made.
Pictured (left): Meg and Jack White meet some of their new fans!
The Appeal
To ‘Buy a Brick’ for £5 – or for further - further information visit: www.chelsea-pensioners.org.uk or email: appeal@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk
Interested parties can also give to the Appeal in a number of ways – legacies, a gift in memory, share giving or by personal cheque. Donations should be made payable to: ‘The Chelsea Pensioners’ Appeal’ and sent to:
The Appeal Office
Royal Hospital Chelsea
Royal Hospital Road
London
SW3 4SR
Autumn UK Tour
White Stripes have announced that they are returning to the UK later this year to play their largest nationwide tour yet. Arriving in late-October, they are to play the following shows:
OCTOBER
Wednesday 24 - Glasgow SECC (08700 600 100)
Thursday 25 - Manchester MEN Arena (0870 190 8000)
Friday 26 - Newcastle Metro Arena (0870 707 8000)
Sunday 28 - Birmingham NEC (0870 909 4133)
Monday 29 - Cardiff International Arena (02920 224 488)
Wednesday 31 - Sheffield Hallam Arena (0114 256 5656)
NOVEMBER
Thursday 1 - Nottingham Arena (0870 121 0123)
Friday 2 - London O2 Arena (0871 984 0002 / 020 7734 8932)
Tickets for all shows go on sale on Friday 13 July from Midday and can be purchased from this 24 hour credit card hotline - 0871 2200 260 – and online at www.gigsandtours.com, with the exception of their Glasgow date, where tickets will be sold from www.pclpresents.com.
For more information on the band themselves, you could do a lot worse than visit the official White Stripes website: www.whitestripes.com - which features a complete discography, show dates, news, photos, sleeve artwork, and guitar tablature. The White Stripes Icky Thump is available now on XL Recordings.
PSP Ltd is not responsible for the contents of external websites.