Lol is very excited to participate in the all-star remake of the Mission’s classic song “Tower of Strength.” Below is the official press release with all the details on the project and how you can get your hands on a copy.
ReMission International 2020
The wait is over and we are thrilled to launch Wayne Hussey and friends remake of the classic Mission anthem ‘Tower Of Strength’ in support of key workers dealing with Covid-19 globally.
All proceeds go to charities personally chosen by each contributor to TOS2020.
For full details and all pre-order information please visit the TOS2020 website.
Watch a short teaser clip of the song
This amazing release is available on:
Digital download – release date 28th August
12” gold coloured vinyl and CD – release date 2nd October
There are also bundle options available so you can give full support to the nominated charities (listed below) plus an option to donate a little more if you are feeling like you’d like to give more to these very worthy causes.
All bundle versions include an additional re-mastered version of the original Tower of Strength exclusive to online orders.
Wayne has collaborated with some great friends and musicians including : Andy Rourke, Billy Duffy, Budgie, Evi Vine, Gary Numan, James Alexander Graham, Jay Aston, Julianne Regan, Kevin Haskins, Kirk Brandon, Lol Tolhurst, Martin Gore, Michael Aston, Michael Ciravolo, Midge Ure, Miles Hunt, Rachel Goswell, Richard Fortus, Robin Finck, Steve Clarke, Tim Palmer, Trentemøller.
From 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?’ The song had apparently been adopted as an anthem by some NHS workers, and it got me thinking that I would like to contribute something to the greater cause at this unprecedented time and the only thing I could really contribute is music. 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. Tower Of Strength was first released by The Mission as a single in 1988 and then again in 1994. It charted twice in the UK top 40 and has proved to be probably our biggest song and the one we generally close our shows with. It is anthemic. I wondered if recording a more well known song might have a greater reach but neither Michael or I could come up with any suggestions that seemed to fit lyrically without getting too corny. So Tower Of Strength it was then.”
“Usually I detest things that are done for charity that are also self-serving, but I came up with a plan that satisfied my conscience. I spoke with my fellow Mission band members who co-wrote the song – Craig Adams, Mick Brown and Simon Hinkler – and we agreed to give up any publishing income generated by the new version to nominated charities, including mechanical and performance royalties and 100% of any revenue raised by sales. TOS2020 has been renamed to divert funds from the original version, and the charities have been personally nominated by the people involved in its recording and release. Because the musical contributions are global our idea is that the proceeds will be divided and distributed equally among all the beneficiaries.
Whilst all the versions will be available to listen to on all streaming platforms I’m gonna ask you to help the cause by buying at least the digital package which is priced at only £2.99. It’s not much, is it? For the price of a coffee you’ll receive all five versions. Come on, help us to help others.”
—Wayne Hussey, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 9th August, 2020.
Produced by Wayne and co-produced and mixed by Tim Palmer except * remix by Trentemøller and ** by some bloke named Albie Mischenzingerzen.
TOS2020 – ReMission International
Track-listing:
Vinyl Side A
TOS2020 (Beholden To The Front Line Workers Of The World mix)
TOS2020 (single)
Vinyl Side B
TOS2020 (Trentemøller Remix)*
TOS2020 (Albie Mischenzingerzen Remix)**
CD
TOS2020 (Beholden To The Front Line Workers Of The World mix)
TOS2020 (Trentemøller Remix)
TOS2020 (Albie Mischenzingerzen Remix)
TOS2020 (single)
Digital Bundle
TOS2020 (single)
TOS2020 (Beholden To The Front Line Workers Of The World mix)
TOS2020 (Trentemøller Remix)
TOS2020 (Albie Mischenzingerzen Remix)
Tower Of Strength – The Mission (original newly remastered, free bonus track with bundle only)
TOS2020 nominated charities currently include:
NHS Charities 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