Rock legends are in Armenia
Twenty years ago a world-known rock group decided to help Armenia which had sustained great losses from the 1988 earthquake.
"But how could we help a Soviet Union country?" wonders Jon Dee, Chairman of the Australian advocacy organization "Do Something!"
Anyway, Jon Dee notes that they were lucky enough as Gorbachov weakened the pressure and the musicians were able to complete their mission in Armenia.
Twenty years later, Mediamax Agency initiated "Armenia is Grateful to Rock" project and invited rock stars - Deep Purple founder and vocalist Ian Gillan, Black Sabbath guitar player Tony Ayommy, Asia rock group's keyboard player Jeff Downs and renowned tennis player Pat Cash.
"I haven't seen so many celebrities in the same place," said Ian Gillan and added, "It is so wonderful to reap the fruits of one's labour."
Jeff Downs recalled the recording of Deep Purple's song "Smoke on the Water".
"Twenty musicians were engaged in the recording of a four-minute song. As we had digital techniques we were able to "compile" the disk with the performance of the 20 musicians," said Jeff Downs.
Along with a joint recording, the groups released a CD in 1990 with their songs. The money gathered from the sale was later sent to Armenia.
By a decree of President Serzh Sargsyan, Ian Gillan, Tony Ayommy, Jeff Downs and Jon Dee were awarded with Orders of Honor.
Director of Mediamax Agency, Ara Tadevosian later noted: "October 2 is the happiest day in my life."
