SOME of the north west's biggest bands are assembling for a spectacular one-off gig to raise cash for Manchester's Christie hospital.
The gig, planned for the M.E.N. Arena in January, will bring together artists such as New Order, The Charlatans and Badly Drawn Boy.
The event is being organised by ex-Smiths' bassist Andy Rourke, who was so moved by seeing friends diagnosed with cancer that he got his music mates to lend a hand.
"My manager's sister and dad were both diagnosed with cancer just before Christmas and it's affected us all really badly," he tells me.
"And the Christie Hospital does so much good for cancer sufferers in the area."
Andy is keeping busy - I caught up with him as he was launching his new guitar courses at Salford's Lowry Arts Centre.
Since hatching the idea, Andy has set up a team under the banner Great Northern and has been roping rock star friends in to perform.
Andy himself will be playing with his new band Doghouse, after he parted company with his most recent music buddy, Vinny Peculiar.
And one of those lining up in the Doghouse is flamenco guitarist Jackson Scott, who recently split from actress Sadie Frost.
"Jackson is a really interesting guy, but we just concentrate on the music," Andy laughs
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