STAGE TUBE: Andrew Lloyd Webber Interviewed on CBC About Jubilee Anthem

In this video, Andew Lloyd Webber is interviewed about the creation of the official Diamond Jubilee song "Sing" with Gary Barlow, and their plans for the live performance on May 28. He says HRH Queen Elizabeth II was at his house on her personal birthday.

“Sing”, which was released on Universal/Decca on May 28, unites some of The Commonwealth’s most talented and diverse musicians, led by Gareth Malone and his Military Wives Choir, and The Commonwealth Band. The Official Charts Company has confirmed that “Sing”, has made it straight to the top of the Official Albums Chart this Diamond Jubilee weekend and it has reached No.11 in the Official Singles Chart.

Gary Barlow, Gareth Malone and the Military Wives came together at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London on April 5, 2012 to record and mix the final elements. Andrew Lloyd Webber oversaw the session via satellite from Quad Studios on 7th Avenue in New York City, overlooking Times Square – where he watched as crowds of theatergoers formed at the Marquis Theatre to celebrate the highly-anticipated Opening Night of the first Broadway revival of EVITA, Webber’s hit musical co-written with Tim Rice, starring Ricky Martin, Elena Roger and Michael Cerveris.

Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber were approached by Buckingham Palace to bring their musical talents to the Jubilee celebrations and wrote this commemorative song as a result. Gary travelled around The Commonwealth countries of Australia, Kenya, Jamaica and the Solomon Islands gathering musicians that he could bring together into one song. His main criteria was to recruit undiscovered musicians who showed a real passion for music. His journey has been tracked in a BBC documentary which will air on BBC1 on Saturday June 2nd.

“Sing” forms part of a commemorative Jubilee album by Gary Barlow & The Commonwealth Band, released by Universal/Decca Records on Monday May 28th. The Commonwealth Band includes 210 musicians from across The Commonwealth, believed to be among the most musicians to record a UK single. They are as diverse as the African Children’s Choir (including soloist Lydia), Aboriginal guitarist Gurrumul, Slum Drummers from Kenya’s Kibera slum, the Jolly boys from Jamaica and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Band. And also Prince Harry on tambourine, making his recording debut. The album celebrates global young singing talent including New Zealander Hayley Westenra (the best-selling classical artist of the 21st Century) and two British singers; chart-topping tenor Alfie Boe and up-and-coming soprano Laura Wright. Some of the proceeds from ‘Sing’ will raise funds for The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust.