Today FM is well known for its live music sessions but this Friday, 27th November, they’re going one step further! At 1pm, 100 musicians will gather in Today FM studios to stage a live performance of U2’s ‘One’, to officially mark the launch of the stations ‘Whole Lotta Live’ album in aid of the Irish Cancer Society and in memory of Tony Fenton who passed away in March of this year.
This morning (Monday) Ian Dempsey announced details of the live performance, which is an Irish radio first. The 100 strong group will feature some well known faces of Irish music as well as a selection of Today FM listeners from around the country. More details to be announced later this week.
‘Whole Lotta Live’ is a compilation album of 30 tracks recorded at the station over the years by Irish and International acts. The album goes on sale on Friday, 27th November on double CD and download and all proceeds from the sales of the album will go to The Irish Cancer Society via Today FM’s infamous Shave or Dye campaign.
The sessions featured include recordings from the likes of Hozier, Bell X1, Ellie Goulding, Kodaline and Lisa Hannigan and were collaborated over the years on top Today FM shows from The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show to Paul McLoone and of course the late Tony Fenton.
To get you in the zone we've done a bit asking and digging and here's the Today FM Top 5 Live performances Of All Time*
*that we could find on Youtube
The Beatles, "Don't Let Me Down" (Apple Rooftop, 1969)
The Fab Four's Apple rooftop performance would have become automatically iconic merely by being their first public performance in nearly a half-decade, but they also just sounded great — especially on "Don't Let Me Down," with John, Paul, and George's gorgeous three-part harmonies and late Fifth-Beatle candidate Billy Preston's lush electric piano giving folks all kinds of never-met expectations for the live experience the group could provide once the screaming of the young girls actually died down some.
David Bowie, "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" (Hammersmith, 1974)
"This particular show will remain with us the longest... because not only is it the last show of the tour, but the last show that we'll ever do." One of rock's greatest creations was effectively killed off in stunning style by a definitive performance of Ziggy Stardust closer "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide," from (indeed) his final concert with the Spiders, captured by D.A. Pennebaker for the great Ziggy Starudst and the Spiders From Mars concert film.
Elvis Presley, 'Heartbreak Hotel' Comeback Special ('Elvis,' 1968)
There’s a reason this televised concert — billed simply as Elvis when it debuted on NBC in December of 1968 — is known colloquially as "The Comeback Special." Filmed at a time when the King's career was in serious need of resuscitation, this 70-plus-minute broadcast reminded Americans why they swooned over the Mississippi-born multi-threat the decade before. Mixing in-the-round performances with elaborate dance numbers fit for a variety show. Elvis was happiest jamming with his pals and this loose, playful but wonderful version of 'Heartbreak Hotel' shows The King his charismatic best.
Johnny Cash and June Carter "Jackson" - Live At San Quentin (1969)
Though it wasn't included in the original At San Quentin '69 recording, the Cashes' live rendition of "Jackson" is well worth a watch or two (or three) if only to witness the palpable chemistry between John and June.
Prince and Pals - George Harrison Hall of Fame Induction (2004)
Prince is a musical genius. This is simple scientific fact.On the night of George Harrison's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, a one-off supergroup featuring Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood, Dhani Harrison (George's son) and Prince delivered a truly spellbinding version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Prince's guitar solo alone remains among the most talked-about moments in Hall of Fame history. And just where did his guitar go at the end?
