Good NewsTickets on sale for Douglas Adams’ 60th birthday party
Douglas Adams, author of the iconic satirical series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, died 11 years ago at the age of just 49.
To honour what would have been his 60th birthday this March, an enormous "virtual" birthday party is taking over the Hammersmith Apollo Theatre in London, with proceeds going to two of Adams' favourite charities.
"Had Douglas been here he would have no doubt have thrown one hell of a party to celebrate his 60th Birthday, but sadly… So his family decided to throw that party for him, and not just any party, but one on a scale befitting the man; and what do you need for that sort of party, you need a huge venue, you need an interstellar line up, and that is just what we've got for you!!" the event's site says.
The eclectic assortment of March 11th's entertainment will include:
Science: Professor Brian Cox, Robin Ince and Jon Culshaw on life, the universe and everything.
Interviews: Clive Anderson talks to Terry Jones and Michael Palin about Douglas' comedy legacy and his influences, including Monty Python.
Comedy: The Meaning of Liff, featuring John Lloyd, Stephen Mangan, Sanjeev Bhaskar and many more, plus special guests from "Radio Active."
Stephen Fry and Mark Carwardine's special introduction about Douglas' passion for conservation.
Adam's fantasy band — Adams himself dreamed up the impressive collaboration — which played at the author's memorial service will also be there.
"My absolute dream rock band no longer exists because their rhythm guitarist was shot. On vocals I'd have Gary Brooker, the greatest soul voice of British rock and roll and a hell of a piano player. Two lead guitarists (they can take turns to play rhythm): Dave Gilmour, whom I've always wanted to hear play with Gary Brooker because they share a taste for huge drama and soaring melody lines; and Robbie McIntosh who is both a great blues rocker and an exquisite acoustic guitar picker. By the time you've got a band this size you more or less have to have maestro Ray Cooper in it as well, on percussion, though it would also be very tempting to include the incredible woman percussionist Jodi Linscott from Van Morrison's band. Strings? Brass section? Royal Philharmonic? A New Orleans jazz band? For all that you'd need synth wizard Paul 'Wix' Wickens. And a very large truck," Adams wrote.
The band will be joined by vocalist Margo Buchanan, bassist Dave Bronze and drummer Paul Beavis.
Which author's birthday party would you most want to attend?
