British Airways to host ’Highest 80s Gig in the Sky’

British Airways is taking a step back in time by hosting the ’Highest 80s Gig in the Sky’ on Sunday 10 March for Red Nose Day, with Bananarama, Tony Hadley (of Spandau Ballet), Kim Wilde and Go West performing.

The exclusive flight will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the ’Highest Concert’, flying up to 43,000ft. Departing from Heathrow Terminal 5, the gig will raise money for Flying Start, British Airways’ charity partnership with Comic Relief, in aid of Red Nose Day (15 March, 2013).

The eighties concert harks back to the period when Comic Relief was started. In keeping with the theme there will be British Airways crew in original uniforms from the era - a dashing Roland Klein two-piece nicknamed ’the deckchair’ for its vertical stripes and shoulder pads. Menus from this golden era will be brought back, with canapés including cocktail sausages, pineapple and cheese on skewers, mini prawn cocktails, pineapple upside down cake, gobstoppers and popping candy.

Tony Hadley said: “It’s fantastic to be a part of this unique Flying Start event raising money for Red Nose Day. I’ve played in some pretty unusual places, but a gig in the sky with my favourite airline is a first for me, and I’m very excited about breaking a new Guinness World Record too.”

To coincide with the launch, Tony has recorded a special video, which can be viewed at; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLi7VmOt3bM

Bananarama, who teamed up with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and Kathy Burke to record ’Help’ as a charity single for Red Nose Day 1989, said: “We are proud to have supported Comic Relief right from the start. Since then, the charity has helped at least 50 million people in Africa and across the world. We are delighted to be once again showing our support through this exclusive 80s gig with British Airways.”

The iconic 80s girl-band whose hits include ’Cruel Summer’, ’Robert De Niro’s Waiting’, ’Love in the First Degree’ and ’Venus’ will perform in the British Airways lounge ahead of take-off, along with Go West, best known for ’The King of Wishful Thinking’ and ’Call Me’.

The in-flight gig hosted by Shane Richie will see Tony Hadley perform classic Spandau Ballet hits, such as ’True’ and ’Gold’, alongside Kim Wilde famed for ’Kids in America’ and ’You Keep Me Hanging On’ success.

The event is being promoted by Magic 105.4, online and on air, as well as special giveaways during the breakfast show with Neil Fox in the week leading up to the flight.

Amita Ghai, British Airways community investment, said: “We love getting in the spirit of Red Nose Day by doing something funny for money and expect to have a lot of fun while raising money for our Flying Start partnership.”  

In 2011, British Airways set a new Guinness World Record for the ’Highest Stand-Up Comedy Gig’ at 35,000ft with Dara O’Brien, Jack Whitehall and Jon Richardson. Through its Flying Start partnership, British Airways has raised over £4 million for Comic Relief, to help transform the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the UK and the poorest countries around the world.

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