It has been announced that Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour will definitely be appearing at a large charity event to celebrate the Fender Stratocaster guitar. The event, which is in aid of Nordoff-Robins Music Therapy, will take place at Wembley Arena on September 24th 2004 and will feature a mix of legends and contemporary artists.

The stars are to gather to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of one of rocks greatest icons - the Strat. The organisers of the show, sponsored by Miller Genuine Draft beer, have confirmed so far David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Joe Walsh (The Eagles), Hank Marvin (The Shadows), Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music), Paul Rodgers (Free/ Bad Co.), Johnny Marr (The Smiths), Mike Rutherford/Paul Carrack (Mike & the Mechanics) and Gary Moore.

They will join forces to pay homage to the world's favourite guitar. The legends will be joined on the night by Amy Winehouse and Jamie Cullum in a triumphant combination of vintage and contemporary artists.

It has been confirmed that David Gilmour will be playing his serial-numbered 001 Stratocaster on the night, the very first of its kind made by Leo Fender in July 1954. Spanning five decades of guitar music and with more artists to be confirmed the MILLER STRAT PACK line-up is already a collaboration of the biggest names history has to offer.

Martin Brady, MD Fender Europe Ltd said: "this is an historic occasion for Fender and the Stratocaster guitar. Never before have so many legendary names come together on one stage to celebrate an icon in rock music and Fender are delighted to have Miller Genuine Draft's support. Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy is a charity that is close to our hearts and the work they carry out is inspirational. We are incredibly excited about the possibility of helping such a worthy cause through funds raised by the concert".

"Monies raised from this wonderful concert will help fund our outreach programmes across the UK, making Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy even more available. We are delighted that Fender are supporting Nordoff Robbins," commented Audrey Hoare, Director of Fundraising.

Tickets will go on sale at 9am on Saturday June 19th 2004 - today! Apologies for the short notice... Tickets can be obtained through normal ticket agents (Ticketmaster, etc) and also through the official Wembley website - What's On Wembley.

A news story in the UK's Independent newspaper gives some more detail on the event and background to the performers. In the article it talks of the launch of the event at the legendary 100 Club in London with a performance from the latest Strat recruit, Leah Wood (daughter of Ronnie), in the presence of the very first Fender Stratocaster ever made, worth a reputed £1 million and now owned by David Gilmour...

Nordoff-Robbins do great work and is a charity that is deserving of support - their website can be found at www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk.