Guitars down, comrades: rock stars launch union to stand up for their rights

Radiohead, Pink Floyd and Robbie Williams among founders of artists' coalition Millionaire rock stars are traditionally more synonymous with conspicuous consumption than the workers' struggle. But artists including Robbie Williams, Radiohead and The Verve are among those who might be about to swap sex, drugs and rock'n'roll for banners, braziers and manifestos - having formed a new organisation to stand up for their rights. Among the dozens of founder members of the Featured Artists' Coalition are Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Red Wedge veteran Billy Bragg, - who did after all record There is Power in a Union - but also former Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, The Klaxons, DJ Paul Oakenfold, Craig David, Iron Maiden and the Kaiser Chiefs. All argue that the new organisation, to be launched tomorrow at the In the City... [read full story]