Simon Cowell's Haiti single out February 7
|  | | Simon Cowell | | The cover of REM's "Everybody Hurts", organized by Simon Cowell to raise money for the victims of the Haiti earthquake, will be released February 7. The BBC reports that the song features Robbie Williams, Mariah Carey, Rod Stewart, Kylie Minogue, Miley Cyrus, Michael Buble, Jon Bon Jovi, Take That, Mika, James Blunt, James Morrison, Susan Boyle, Westlife, Cheryl Cole and boy band JLS. "X Factor" winners Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke and Joe McElderry also guest on the track, recorded this week and organized by Syco label boss Cowell.
It is set for digital release February 7 and CD release the day after. Proceeds will go to the Sun newspaper's Helping Haiti fund and the Disasters Emergency Committee. In an interview with the Sun, REM's manager Bertis Downs said that the band would be waiving all royalties for "Everybody Hurts".
"We are deeply touched the song has been chosen for this Haiti campaign," Downs said. "It means a lot that the song the guys wrote all those years ago will be used for such an important appeal." The British government has waived VAT sales tax on the record.
Meanwhile, U.K. benefit shows already confirmed include a Haiti Earthquake Fundraiser concert at London's Roundhouse venue on February 25, featuring Mr Hudson and U.K. alt.rock bands the Futureheads and Bombay Bicycle Club, among others. Gorillaz's Damon Albarn, Coldplay, Pet Shop Boys, P.J. Harvey and the Arctic Monkeys have all donated items to special eBay auction to raise funds for Oxfam's emergency response, organized by Glastonbury Festival's Emily Eavis. (Billboard.biz)
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