London Calling!

Drummers and percussionists from around the country are being asked to convene in Hyde Park this Sunday, drum in hand, in an effort to help beat prostate cancer. The mass drum session is being organised by marathon drummer Dan Fowler - who is breaking off briefly from his attempt to walk from John O´Groats to Lands End - beating a drum every eight steps.

The 27 year old musician from Loughborough is currently about two thirds of the way through his thousand mile challenge - but has sprained his ankle, so is using his recovery time to bring the message about the dangers of a cancer, which kills 10,000 people each year in this country, to the Capital.

“It is vital that we get the message about this dreadful killer over to as many people as possible,” says Dan. “If we can make a lot of noise in the park this weekend - maybe some people will get to hear.”

And Dan knows all about the tragic consequences of this killer disease. While actually out on the road he has lost the close friend who was the inspiration for the walk. Fellow drummer and cancer campaigner David Rae succumbed to prostate cancer a few weeks ago - following a three year battle.

Musicians wanting to join Dan are invited to be at the Bandstand in Hyde Park for 12 noon on Sunday 7th October, from there they will drum their way to Reformers´ Tree and then round the park in an anticlockwise direction. Further information is available direct from Dan on 07807 236032.

Further information about One Man One Drum is available on www.onemanonedrum.com Donations and Challenge merchandise purchases can also be made on this site. All monies collected on the challenge is going to PROSTaid - a Leicestershire based charity (charity number 1116935). Further information is available from www.prostaid.co.uk




Chris Barnes

I'm MusicRadar's eCommerce Editor. In addition to testing the latest music gear, with a particular focus on electronic drums, it's my job to manage the 300+ buyer's guides on MusicRadar and help musicians find the right gear for them at the best prices. I dabble with guitar, but my main instrument is the drums, which I have been playing for 24 years. I've been a part of the music gear industry for 20 years, including 7 years as Editor of the UK's best-selling drum magazine Rhythm, and 5 years as a freelance music writer, during which time I worked with the world's biggest instrument brands including Roland, Boss, Laney and Natal.