A GALAXY of North-East singing stars have taken to the stage in a bid to save one of the region’s foremost music venues.

Former Lindisfarne member, singer songwriter Steve Daggett, was joined by musician Paul Liddell, folk group Prelude and a host of special guests for a one-off concert in protest at the proposed closure of Newcastle City Hall.

The gig, at The Cluny, Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle, today, (Sunday January 6) included the official launch of a CD aimed at raising awareness of the plight of the 85-year-old building, which could be a casualty of council budget cuts.

Brian Hume, of Prelude, said: “A place like the city hall should be celebrated. It is part of the area’s cultural heritage.

“If you get rid of stuff that resonates with people then what are left with?

“It you get rid of it will rip a little bit of the soul out of the town.”

The CD, Save The City Hall, has been recorded by the North-East All Stars and features Roxy Music drummer Paul Thompson, Lindisfarne’s Ray Jackson and Charlie Harcourt, former Sting counterpart John Hedley and bass player Steve Martin and is part of a four-track CD.

The CD also features a previously unheard version of the Alan Hull song All Fall Down, originally recorded by Billy Bragg for inclusion on a tribute album to the late Lindisfarne singer which never came to fruition.

Money raised by sales of the CD, which is being released by Washington-based Road Goes on Forever Records, will support North-East children’s charities.

The CD can also be downloaded from iTunes or bought via mail order from Road Goes on Forever Records, PO Box 109, Washington, Tyne and Wear.