Sir Paul McCartney, Sting, Sir Tom Jones and Ronnie Wood back the amnesty!
Oxfam Supporter Sir Paul McCartney, Sting, Sir Tom Jones and Ronnie Wood are the latest stars to add their support to the Don’t Stop The Music Instrument Amnesty.
They join Jessie J, Labrinth, KT Tunstall and many more of the brightest and biggest names in the charts – each one passionate about giving young people the same musical opportunities they had. “If it hadn’t been for my dad giving me a trumpet on my 14th birthday, which I traded for a Framus Zenith guitar, I’d have never joined The Beatles,” said Sir Paul McCartney. “So drop your instrument at Oxfam and donate your instrument to James’ Don’t Stop The Music Instrument Amnesty. You might inspire a future rockstar!”
Sir Tom Jones emphasised the life-changing impact of music, saying: “Musical instruments, no matter how simple and humble or complex and intricate, have a profound power to unlock untold expression in all kinds of people, no matter who they are or where they come from.”
One of those people is Sting, who declared: “Picking up a guitar saved my life and to this day gives me joy every time I pick it up. The opportunity to learn and play music is something every child should experience as a right.”
Classical pianist and the man driving the instrument amnesty, James Rhodes, said:
“It’s completely overwhelming that so many outstanding musicians are backing the amnesty.
"We must give every child the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. Thousands of kids have a hunger and thirst to learn music that is simply not being met. It just doesn’t add up, does it? They’re not just missing out one of life’s great pleasures, but on an activity proven to boost self-confidence, discipline, teamwork, concentration, and performance in other subjects.
“Not every child will go on to have a career in the music business. But by not supporting them in these vital early years, we could be missing out on the next Adele or Simon Rattle. The UK music industry is worth an incredible £3.8bn to our economy.”
Other star supporters of the amnesty include Damon Albarn, Kaiser Chief’s Ricky Wilson, Tinie Tempah, James Blunt, Editors, The Edge, Laura Mvula, Labrinth, Neneh Cherry, Laura Marling, Ella Henderson, Kelis, John Newman, Una Healy from The Saturdays, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Basement Jaxx, Maverick Sabre, Anna Calvi, Newton Faulkner, KT Tunstall, DJ Fresh, Wretch 32, The Vamps, Crystal Fighters, Elyar Fox, Billy Ocean, Neon Jungle, Imogen Heap, Bombay Bicycle Club, Wild Beasts, James Vincent McMorrow and Luke Pritchard from the Kooks.
The instrument amnesty is now over.
