The Mission have rerecorded their 1988 hit “Tower Of Strength” to raise funds for key worker charities.
The new version – retitled “TOS2020” by ReMission International – features a host of special guests including Gary Numan, Martin Gore, Midge Ure, Billy Duffy, Rachel Goswell, Andy Rourke, Julianne Regan, Kirk Brandon, Lol Tolhurst, Miles Hunt and many more.
The single will be released digitally on August 28, with a 12” vinyl and CD release to follow on October 2. You can pre-order it here and watch a preview below:
Says The Mission’s Wayne Hussey: “When Covid-19 hit I started receiving messages asking ‘why don’t you re-issue ‘Tower Of Strength’ for the front line workers?’ So in conjunction with my good friend Michael Ciravolo, I came up with the idea of recording a new version of ‘Tower Of Strength’ for charity by enlisting the help of musician friends and acquaintances. ‘TOS2020’ has been renamed to divert funds from the original version, and the charities are all personally chosen by the people involved.”
Adds Gary Numan: “Being given the chance to do some good to raise money for people and animals struggling in these frightening times by singing one of the best songs ever written was such an easy thing to say yes to. An absolute honour to be involved.”
The nominated charities currently include:
NHS UK
St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Memphis
Music Venue Trust UK
Covenant House, New Orleans
Disasters Emergency Committee
MusiCares
Plan International
Direct Relief
Alzheimer’s Scotland
Liberty Hill Foundation
The Shrewsbury Ark
Memorial Sloan Kettering Center, NYC
Prostate Cancer UK
The Teddy Bear Clinic
Red Rover
Help Musicians UK
Crew Nation
Venice Family Clinic
The Anthony Walker Foundation
Projeto Cáo Communitário
The City Of San Francisco Covid-19 Fund