"Harry would be 100 per cent' behind idea says grandsonAugust 6, 2009The grandson of Harry Patch, the late British World War 1 veteran who was the last surviving UK soldier from the conflict until he passed away last month, has spoken about Radiohead's tribute song, 'Harry Patch (In Memory Of)'.Yesterday (August 5) Radiohead made the song available as a download to benefit the Royal British Legion, with frontman Thom Yorke writing it after being inspired by a 2005 radio interview with Patch.Now Patch's grandson, Roger Patch, has given his backing to the song, saying he believes that his granddad would be equally enamoured."Our family is very touched that Radiohead has reached out to its followers and especially the younger generation through the single that echoes Harry's interview in 2005," he told The Sun.He added: "Harry loved music and would be 100 per cent behind Radiohead in raising awareness of the suffering of conflict – not least the futility of it – in a way that can also benefit the Legion. It's a great idea which we support wholeheartedly."Patch is being buried today (August 6) in Wells, Somerset, with a public service taking place in Wells Cathedral.!NME Newshttp://www.nme.com/news/radiohead/46530
Radiohead's Thom Yorke reveals reasons behind Harry Patch tribute song'It would be very easy for our generation to forget the true horror of war,' singer explainsAugust 5, 2009Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has blogged about his reasons for recording and releasing new track 'Harry Patch (In Memory Of)'.The song was put online today (August 5) at Download.waste.uk.com, with all proceeds going to the Royal British Legion. It's release comes one day before the funeral of Harry Patch, who was the last surviving First World War veteran to have fought in the trenches. Patch died, aged 111, on July 25.Writing on Deadairspace.com about the track, Yorke explained how he first became aware of Patch, adding that the he and bandmate Jonny Greenwood had recorded the tribute to him in an abbey shortly before his death."I had heard a very emotional interview with him a few years ago on the Today program on BBC Radio 4," Yorke wrote."The way he talked about war had a profound effect on me. It became the inspiration for a song that we happened to record a few weeks before his death."It was done live in an abbey. The strings were arranged by Jonny [Greenwood]. I very much hope the song does justice to his memory as the last survivor."Yorke added that he thinks it is important for future generations to keep in mind the "horror" caused by war.He stated: "It would be very easy for our generation to forget the true horror of war, without the likes of Harry to remind us. I hope we do not forget."He ended his piece by quoting Patch, who said "irrespective of the uniforms we wore, we were all victims" and hailing "peace and understanding".NME Newshttp://www.nme.com/news/radiohead/46517Radiohead release new song 'Harry Patch (In Memory Of)' as downloadSong honouring late World War One veteran available nowAugust 5, 2009"Radiohead have released a brand new song, 'Harry Patch (In Memory Of)', as a download from today (August 5).The song is available now from the band's official online store, Download.waste.uk.com, with proceeds from the track going to the Royal British Legion.'Harry Patch (In Memory Of)' was written by frontman Thom Yorke about Patch – who was the last living British World War 1 veteran until he passed away on July 25 this year aged 111 – after he heard an interview with him on BBC Radio 4 in 2005. The song was debuted on the station this morning.You can listen to Patch's original interview on the 'Today' programme now.The track was recorded in the last few months, as the band worked in Oxfordshire with long-time producer Nigel Godrich on a new album.The lyrics to 'Harry Patch (In Memory Of)' are available to read at the band's official website, Radiohead.com/deadairspace."NME Newshttp://www.nme.com/news/radiohead/46501Abbey
Thom and Jonny in Abbey
"i am the only one that got throughthe others died where ever they fellit was an ambushthey came up from all sidesgive your leaders each a gun and then let them fight it out themselvesi've seen devils coming up from the groundi've seen hell upon this earththe next will be chemical but they will never learn""Recently the last remaining UK veteran of the 1st world war Harry Patch died at the age of 111.I had heard a very emotional interview with him a few years ago on the Today program on Radio4.The way he talked about war had a profound effect on me.It became the inspiration for a song that we happened to record a few weeks before his death.It was done live in an abbey. The strings were arranged by Jonny.I very much hope the song does justice to his memory as the last survivor.It would be very easy for our generation to forget the true horror of war, without the likes of Harry to remind us.I hope we do not forget.As Harry himself said"Irrespective of the uniforms we wore, we were all victims".Please click here to download.The proceeds of this song will go to the British Legion.To peace and understanding.Thom"http://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace/
Comments