Sandi Thom choked to miss Scottish John Lennon gala

Published on Friday 8 October 2010 15:40

SINGER Sandi Thom was forced to pull out at the last minute from a unique Scottish tribute to John Lennon on the eve of what would have been the former Beatle's 70th birthday.

The event in Glasgow was to have featured Macduff-born Ms Thom backed by a 32-piece orchestra in an emotional show that also featured Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie, former Fairground Convention singer Eddi Reader, Jacqui Dankworth - daughter of Cleo Laine and John Dankworth - Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis, Horse and Scotland's top jazz singers Todd Gordon and Carol Kidd.

But Ms Thom said she was distraught to cancel after suffering a throat infection.

"Gutted to have to pull out of the Lennon homage at the Concert Hall tonight in Glasgow. So sorry. I have a real nasty cough," said Ms Thom on her Twitter page.

Other surprise guest appearances were on the cards for the gig at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Part of the proceeds will go towards medical equipment for the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (Yorkhill).

But the tribute to Lennon is especially poignant, 30 years after his death.

He had a strong attachment to Scotland. The star used to holiday as a child in Durness in Sutherland and returned as an adult in 1969 with Yoko Ono and their respective children, Julian and Kyoko.

Lennon tried to buy the village estate shortly before his death in 1980 and the area is said to be part of the inspiration for his song In My Life.

The John Lennon Northern Lights Festival held in Durness in 2007 to commemorate the singer's links with the area won the Best New Festival at the UK Festival Awards.