Nick Mason's Status Quo cover design
Written by Matt   
Wednesday, 01 October 2008

As The Quo Flies coverTo mark the 40th anniversary of their first hit single, 'Pictures Of Matchstick Men', and raise money for youth charity The Prince's Trust, Status Quo, the favourite band of the founder and president of the trust, host a star-studded auction/album launch on November 5th, 2008 at Bonhams auction house.

Fifty renowned musicians (including Nick Mason, who's Quo cover can be seen to the left), artists and stars have taken up a challenge from The Prince's Trust and created their own versions of classic Quo single and album covers and these will be auctioned with all net proceeds going to The Trust.

Other personalities as diverse as Brian Wilson, Sir Tom Stoppard, Andrew Marr, Alice Cooper, Fiona Phillips, Brian May, Sir Steve Redgrave, Harry Hill, Chris Tarrant, Rolf Harris, David Shepherd, Chelsea and Liverpool FC have joined with Nick and contributed works – some of which have to be seen to be believed. The band have all completed artworks too so, if you've ever wanted to hang a member of Status Quo, this is your chance – and it's all for a good cause.

Entrance to the auction is strictly by invitation only.

Online bidding on all lots will be available exclusively on The Prince’s Trust website. Online bidding will finish at midday on the day of the Bonhams auction and the highest bids transferred to the auction room at midday on 5th November (the highest bidders online will be given the opportunity to continue bidding).

The master of ceremonies will be Paul Gambaccini and on the night eight of the lots will go under the hammer and the rest sold by silent auction. With a mixture of household names, the band themselves and some up and coming young British artists this is a collection like no other.

More details can be found at www.Princes-Trust.org.uk.