This November, a special collaboration between the Military Wives Choirs and Westminster City Council will commemorate the centenary of one the most poignant stories of World War One: the burial of the Unknown Warrior.
On 11th November there is a service hosted by DCMS / RBL and Westminster Abbey. It’s a recreation of the burial 100 years ago so will include Abide With Me being sung by the Abbey Choir. This is being broadcast live on TV, thoughthe usual Armistice Day commemorations at Whitehall are not happening this year due to COVID.
The Song
To commemorate the centenary of the journey, members of the Military Wives Choirs from across the country have recorded a new version of a song originally sung at the funeral 100 years ago. ‘Abide with Me’ was one of two tracks that survived experimental recording at the ceremony to become the first electrical recording ever sold to the public.
Military Wives Choirs
The guests of honour at the ceremony one hundred years ago, over and above any Government and military officials, were a group of about one hundred women. They had been chosen because they had each lost their husband and all their sons to the war. “Every woman so bereft who applied for a place got it”.
It is therefore fitting that Military Wives Choirs were chosen to record this special 100th anniversary version of ‘Abide With Me’. With 73 choirs and more than 2000 members in British military bases across the UK and overseas, the Military Wives Choirs is a charity that brings all women in the military community, not just wives, closer together and empowers them through singing.
The Recording
Conceived before the impact of COVID-19 had hit, and then created and recorded during lockdown, the production of the track became a journey in itself – showing the power of music to bring people together during difficult times. Conducted by Hilary Davan Wetton and produced by Sean Hargreaves, and featuring a trumpeter from the Band of the Scots Guards.
The Story of the Unknown Warrior
100 years ago, as the nameless soldier was laid to rest in Westminster Abbey, ‘Abide with Me’ rang out – and a nation came together. This special re-recording of the hymn aims to retell the story of the Unknown Warrior and, once again, unite a nation
Of the 1 million British and Commonwealth servicemen and women killed in World War One, some 165,000 would never receive a proper burial. Many were left in unmarked graves on the battlefields where they fell. Some were simply never found.
This tragic loss of life and the ongoing suffering of families with no place to mourn led to an idea. An idea that in 1920 saw one of the fallen – rank, regiment, service all unknown – returned from the battlefields of Europe and buried in Westminster Abbey with all the honour a war and flu-ravaged country could muster.
Here is an emotive and powerful music video to accompany the song, which succinctly tells the story of the Unknown Warrior https://vimeo.com/467783793/bf31287250
There will also be a short documentary video about the story of the Unknown Warrior, told by members of the Military Wives Choirs available very shortly.
The Military Wives Choirs’ recording of Abide With Me will be formally released on November 6th
Here is the music link and also a short video of footage shot 100 years ago…and today.
Two countries, two languages, brings two of the finest singers together…
Liza Pulman
&
Max Raabe
Will You Stay Beside Me
Liza Pulman has teamed up with legendary German Singer (and personal hero) Max Raabe in a duet on his song, Willst Du Bei Mir Bleiben (Will You Stay Beside Me)
The song, from his 2018 award winning album Der Perfekte Moment, has been re-interpreted into an intimate and achingly beautiful duet; two unique voices that marry together in perfect harmony. With shades of the smokey Parisienne feel of a Jacques Loussier arrangement, the track also features both the internationally acclaimed classical pianist Simon Lepper and the highly sort after jazz drummer Ian Thomas. It was produced by veteran record producer Chris Porter and recorded at Real World Studios. It is a song that will stay with you from the very first moment you hear it.
Maxx Raabe
Max Raabe is an international million selling Deutsche Grammophon artist. Dashing, dapper and debonair, he believes the timeless melodies and songs of the 20s and 30s have an inherent magic. He combines nostalgic flair with pop-star appeal, as well as a good dose of self-irony and dry comedy. His most recent album, an MTV Unplugged, recently achieved Gold status, selling in excess of 100,00 units, and topped the German charts for some 10 weeks!
Lisa Pulman
After wowing sell-out audiences with her highly acclaimed West End tour de force Liza Pulman Sings Streisand, followed by a four-week run over New Year at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall and a 50 date sell out UK theatre tour as one third of the hugely successful Fascinating Aida, Liza was set to return with her new show and album
The Heart Of It, before Covid-19 struck. As a teaser of the forthcoming album Liza is releasing individual tracks in the lead up to her rescheduled London Riverside Studios next April.
“I first fell in love with the German superstar Max Raabe when Dillie Keane and I were taken as a joint birthday present by our friend and Fascinating Aida colleague, Adele Anderson, to see him perform live with his Palast Orchester at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire. As a long-time fan of The Comedian Harmonists (the 1920’s & 30’s German close harmony group, from whom Max borrows so respectfully) I was immediately beguiled by his unique voice and his great sense of this golden period. This is the music I have grown up with and so to spend an evening in the company of him and his wonderful musicians was the best present I could have been given.”
“As the years have followed, I have bought and worn out every CD he has produced and admire so much his ability to marry the old with the new. I was beyond thrilled when he agreed to record a new version of Willst Du Bei Mir Bleiben with me for my forthcoming album.”
“My musical director Joe Atkins and I immediately went to work creating an arrangement that would sit well in our musical world. It has been a real honour to spend time in the company of so many great musicians, to work on this beautiful song and to join forces with this remarkable singer. In these emotionally challenging waters, there are times when really only a love song will do.”
If you like rock, pop and classic cars, you are going to LOVE Britain’s most exciting brand-new podcast…
STARS CARS GUITARS
The Podcast Series
With Tony Hadley, Jim Cregan & Alex Dyke
SIR ROD STEWART says, “Come to my house and drive my Lamborghini and Ferrari!”
ABOUT STARS CARS GUITARS
What is Stars Cars Guitars?
It’s a brand-new podcast, with new episodes every week, presented by singer Tony Hadley, guitarist Jim Cregan and broadcaster Alex Dyke.
What is Stars Cars Guitars all about?
It’s three guys talking about rock and roll adventures, their favourite cars and tales of the stars and friends they met on the way.
So, it’s all about stars, cars and guitars – right?
Yes… and no. It’s also about success, fame, family, laughter, memories and dreams. It’s really a show about friendship. It’s a conversation between three old mates, who like telling stories and sharing jokes. It’s a safe place. Join them!
MEET THE GUYS
Tony Hadley is one of Britain’s best loved singers. He’s a big man with a big voice and a heart of gold. He was the frontman of Spandau Ballet in the 1980s with a slew of massive hits including a number 1 with True.
Now as a solo artist he entertains audiences around the globe with hit packed shows.
A charming, sharp dressed man, Tony’s an international heartthrob and a brilliant storyteller. From Live Aid to Los Angeles, he’s been there and done it, selling millions of records. Tony is also a radio presenter and tv performer, going into the jungle in I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! in 2015.
If the guys were in a car, Tony would be in the driver’s seat with his hands on the wheel.
Jim Cregan is an award-winning rock guitarist, songwriter and producer. He’s been a professional musician since the 1960s and he’s seen the inside of more hotel rooms than Howard Johnson or Lenny Henry. He’s smashed a few up on occasion too.
Jim has lived a rock and roll life on the road, playing with best friend Rod Stewart’s band for more than twenty years. He’s played with everyone, from Cockney Rebel to Cat Stevens and Katie Melua. He’s survived alcohol, drugs, swinging London, flower power, high times in the States and he’s got the Hawaiian shirts to prove it.
If the guys were in a car, Jim would be in the passenger seat, reading the map.
Alex Dyke has been a British broadcaster for 35 years on the tv and radio. He’s worked for the BBC, UK networked commercial radio and Radio Luxembourg.
He’s an award-winning presenter, surprising everybody when he won a bronze Sony Radio award in 2006.
He’s interviewed some of the biggest names in show business, including Sir Tom Jones, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Roger Daltrey, Lulu, BB King and George Best. Alex has an encyclopaedic knowledge of pop music and if he pays more attention in class, he could really amount to something.
If the guys were in a car, Alex would be in the back seat, asking “are we there yet?”, and Tony and Jim would be wondering whether they’d have been better off if he’d got the bus instead.
STARS CARS GUITARS
The Podcast Series with Tony Hadley, Jim Cregan & Alex Dyke
Listen to us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google
October 24, 2026 1904 Moss Hart 1930 The Big Bopper 1940 Barry Davies 1942 Frank Delaney 1946 Jerry Edmonton 1947 Kevin Kline 1971 Caprice Bourret 1972 Dervla Kirwan
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