Live 8 'a money-spinner'
2005-07-05 15:15
London - Rock group Pink Floyd vowed on Tuesday to donate all profits made from their greatest hits album to charity, after record sales soared following the group's performance at Live 8.
The legendary British band, who had not played together for 20 years before Saturday's concert in London - part of a series worldwide to draw attention to the campaign to reduce poverty in Africa - saw sales of Echoes increase by 1 300% in the British capital alone.
Guitarist Dave Gilmour said the money should be used to "save lives".
"Though the main objective has been to raise consciousness (of the plight of Africa) and put pressure on the G8 leaders, I will not profit from the concert," he said.
Record sales of all London's Live 8 performers have shot up since the event, with increases of 863% for The Who's Then and Now, 500% for the Eurythmics' Best of album, and 412% for Dido's Life for Rent.
As well as London, other Live 8 concerts were organised in Tokyo, Rome, Moscow, Berlin, Paris, Philadelphia, Johannesburg, Toronto and Cornwall, southwest England.
Organised by Irish rock star-turned-activist Bob Geldof, the extravaganza was aimed at piling pressure on the G8 summit of the world's most powerful leaders starting Wednesday at the Scottish resort of Gleneagles.