Meet some of the Music for Dementia champions
Tony Christie
Singing legend Tony Christie first became involved with Music for Dementia in 2023 after we asked him to re-record Thank You For Being A Friend by Andrew Gold on behalf of the campaign. Tony has since become a champion for Music for Dementia and is helping us make music an integral part of dementia care! We are thrilled to have Tony onboard!
Tony revealed in January 2023 he has been diagnosed with the condition. His personal journey and experience give him a unique perspective on the power of music. Despite his diagnosis, he continues to tour and in the summer of 2023 recorded two albums in Nashville! Soon to be released! We are truly honoured Tony has agreed to join us. His presence and support, and the way in which he and his family are dealing with his diagnosis, have brought a renewed sense of purpose and determination to our cause.
Tony’s version of Thank You For Being A Friend was used by national Thank You Day as the anthem for the 2023 celebrations. Tony was joined on the track by Sting, Nile Rodgers and other musical stars, and he took the song into the Top Ten on the iTunes download store. All proceeds are going to support local music and dementia projects through the Power of Music Fund, launched in late 2023
Nick and Paul Harvey
Nick Harvey is a composer and the son of Paul Harvey, a pianist who lives with dementia. Since a video of Paul playing the piano went viral, the pair have launched The Paul and Nick Harvey Fund, which supports organisations that work with music and people with dementia. Nick says: “We strongly believe that music should be embedded in daily care practice and have seen for ourselves how music can enrich and enhance everyone’s lives.”
Beatie Wolfe
Beatie Wolfe is an Anglo-American singer songwriter described as “bleeding-edge” by WIRED. She began looking at the therapeutic power of music for people with dementia in 2014, with support from The Utley Foundation. Her research tour in Priory Care Homes used new music in performances for people with dementia. This resulted in improvements in: memory, communication, response and interaction, relaxation, singing and movement, and dancing. These benefits continued after the study.
Vicky McClure
Actor is a long-time champion of the benefits of music for people with dementia. Her grandmother’s experience of the disease taught her the healing power of music and inspired Vicky to form Our Dementia Choir. She says: “We’re making great progress on increasing awareness about the transformative impact music can have on people living with dementia. Music and singing provide a great way for people to connect and lift their spirits. I’ve seen this first-hand with my Nana and Our Dementia Choir.”