Ure To Hold Charity Concert For Cancer-stricken Karn

Live Aid hero MIDGE URE is to host a charity concert in support of musician MICK KARN, who is struggling financially following a terminal cancer diagnosis earlier this year (10).

The former Japan and Dalis Car bass player, real name Anthony Michaelides, announced he had been diagnosed with the disease at the beginning of June (10), telling fans on his website that the security and well-being of his wife and young son are now his top priority.

Former Ultravox and Rich Kids frontman Ure has stepped in to offer his help because he’s such a big fan of Karn’s music, and the Scottish singer, who helped organise the legendary Live Aid concerts, is now busy organising a benefit in a bid to help Karn “emotionally and financially”.

Ure tells the BBC, “When it comes to a situation like Mick’s - who is in dire straits - he needs help, financial help and emotional help. I have had a lot of contact from people I haven’t spoken to in a long time; we are looking at availabilities for various venues. It’s a long, slow process, so we need to nail the venue and date.

“You are going to have most of Japan there doing stuff, certainly Steve (Jansen) and Richard (Barbieri) will be there, and people that Mick has worked with over the years. He has huge respect. He is one of the good guys; that’s what’s shocking to everybody. I think the interest in this will be huge.

“I think Mick’s influenced everybody. Until I heard Japan, I had never heard a bass guitar played like that; it was almost like playing a lead instrument, incredibly percussive and melodic, something that inspired me.”