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Robert Plant has the X Factor for Belle Sorelle
Wednesday 28th October 2009, 10:05AM GMT.
It’s not every day an up-and-coming band gets to perform on the same bill as rock legend Robert Plant – but that is exactly what happened to Stourbridge and Kinver X Factor girl group Belle Sorelle.
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The four girls, who made it through to the boot camp stage of this year’s series of the hit television show, were among the music acts at a charity bash hosted by ELO star Bev Bevan at Birmingham’s Jam House.
Bev and his band, Bev Bevan’s Move, took to the stage along with soul singer Ruby Turner and Belle Sorelle for the fundraising gig for Birmingham’s Children’s Hospital in the Jewellery Quarter last night.
And the surprise of the evening was a special appearance by 61-year-old Led Zeppelin star Plant.
The musician, who lives near Kidderminster, wowed the crowd with an impromptu performance – and also delighted the girl band as he posed for a picture with the foursome. The girls, Gemma Parr, aged 24, and sister Patsy, 17, along with best friends Hannah Smith, 24 and Bella Bennewith, 17, were invited to take part in the charity concert after Bevan heard them perform live on a radio show. “We were so thrilled to be asked to take part and share the stage with some really big names,” said Gemma.
The foursome performed two cover versions, Skunk Anansie’s Weak and the Kings of Leon’s hit Use Somebody, before returning to the stage for the finale with Bev and his band. “It was a great night – to perform alongside Bev was fantastic and be on the same bill as Robert Plant too was a fantastic experience,” said Gemma. “We told Robert we’d take on board any advice he could offer us – he’s such a rock legend.”
Plant, a Wolverhampton Wanderers fanatic, opened his set last night by proclaiming: “We’re in the Premiership now!” and joked with the audience: “Seeing how old you are I’m surprised you’re out so late.”
Last night’s concert was a fundraiser for BBC WM Kidney Kids Appeal to buy a new renal unit for Birmingham Children’s Hospital. So far more than £1million of the £1.5m target has been raised.
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