McCartney, John set for V2 tribute to Diana
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He said Paul McCartney, Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel and other rock stars have agreed to perform on the disc, which is being targeted for a Christmas release.
The album, Branson said, will likely include the new version of "Candle in the Wind," which Elton John sang at Diana's funeral Saturday.
A&M, however, announced Monday that it will put the new version, dubbed "Candle in the Wind 1997" to avoid consumer confusion with John's 1972 nugget, on a special CD single. John performed the new version, which was produced by Sir George Martin and featured lyrics by Bernie Taupin, at London's Westminster Abbey during the funeral.
The CD single will also feature John's current single "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" from his Rocket Records disc "The Big Picture."
The new CD single will be released Sept. 16, and a maxi-single, which will boast the two songs and a third, "I Know Why I'm in Love," will bow Sept. 23, the date the album is released.
All proceeds from the sale of the tribute album --- as well as the A&M single --- will go to the newly established memorial fund set up in Diana's name. A&M said John's composer and artist's royalties, in addition to the record company profits, also will be donated.
"There are millions of people around the world who want something positive to come out of Diana's life," Branson told Daily Variety from Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was on a business trip. "One way is to raise as much money as possible for the charities she supported."
Branson said "a beautiful tribute album" and a trio of tribute concerts set for next August near the anniversary of her Aug. 31 death, were among the ways her life would be celebrated.
"We are planning a wonderful concert at Hyde Park, with all her favorite musicians who will (gather) and perform in celebration of her life." He hoped concerts would also be held simultaneously in New York and Paris.
"It would be something her children would come to, and the kind of concert Diana would love to be at herself."
Annie Lennox and Peter Gabriel have agreed to become executive producers of the album and will contribute new songs of their own.
The former member of the Eurythmics will sing a new version of "Angel" and "Ave Maria," while Gabriel will perform his hit "In Your Eyes."
Branson said he had been working on the album and tribute concerts by contacting artists and industry friends almost since Diana's death.
He said Phil Collins' "Since I Lost You," Seal's "Prayer for the Dying" and Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven," would join Paul McCartney's "Little Willow," as tracks on the album.
Branson has contacted other artists, and said that Sting, Bryan Adams and the Rolling Stones have yet to decide what or if they'll contribute.
