• ALICE COOPER

• JOHN PAUL JONES

• BRIAN MAY

• IAN PAICE

• Bruce Dickinson

• MARK KING

• ALFIE BOE

• THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT

• SANDI THOM

• kerry ellis

• the big c choir

• the sunflower jam house band

Over 350 guests arrived at the Royal Albert Hall on the evening of Sunday 16th September to a champagne reception, a three-course meal, beverages and a live auction all with one aim: to raise as much money for The Sunflower Jam as possible. After dinner, the iconic venue opened its doors to a further 2000 people and everyone settled in for what promised to be a once-in-a-lifetime rock music line up.
The 6th Sunflower Jam, a rock & roll music event saw rock legends take to the Royal Albert Hall stage to perform. The evening, hosted by actor Jeremy Irons, consisted of many special performances from Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Ian Paice (Deep Purple), Mark King (Level 42), Alfie Boe, Brian May (Queen), Kerry Ellis, John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) and Alice Cooper. Jerry Brown, Margo Buchanan, Micky Moody, Murray Gould, Nick Fyffe, Sandi Thom, Steve Balsamo, The Temperance Movement, The Big C Choir, Uli Jon Roth and Wix Wickins made up an outstanding house band.

The show’s highlights included Brian May, John Paul Jones and Ian Paice teaming up for a rendition of Deep Purple’s ‘Black Night,’ and Brian May joining Alice Cooper for a version of the shock rocker’s classic ‘School’s Out.’ Just when the Royal Albert Hall thought it couldn’t get any better, the evening ended with each and every rock legend coming together on stage for a ‘Superjam’ cover of Deep Purple’s anthem ‘Smoke on the Water.’ The atmosphere was nothing short of electric – everyone was acutely aware that they were watching something special. Suffice to say, the Royal Albert Hall has never rocked like that!

In amongst the jubilation was the reminder that one of rock and roll’s greatest had passed. Only two months before, the legend that is Jon Lord lost his fight against cancer two months ago and, fittingly, The Sunflower Jam 2012 paid a heart felt tribute to celebrate his memory whilst Steve Balsamo sang ‘Pictured Within.’
The live auction saw the charity raise money which will be used to help fight pancreatic cancer. We will let you know how much money was raised in due course!

Until the next time…