Yorkshire musician joins Brit Awards tribute to late star George Michael
A MUSICIAN from Yorkshire joined the frontman of rock band Coldplay at the Brit Awards in a tribute to late singer George Michael.
Multi-instrumentalist Rosie Doonan played piano as Chris Martin sang the Wham! member’s 1986 solo track, A Different Corner, at the O2 in London on Wednesday night.
Just moments before, Michael’s former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley commemorated his friend’s life and work with an emotional speech.
From the ceremony, Doonan posted a modest Tweet: “Just playing piano at The Brits for Chris Martin and Mr John Metcalfe.”
Composer Mr Metcalfe, a past member of The Durutti Column, made his conducting debut with a string orchestra during the performance.
Doonan’s solo album, Feel Love, was released last Friday. She decided on a career in music after a tutor at Pontefract’s NEW College recognised her family name and encouraged her to write a song with some peers.
Her grandfather John was a world champion piccolo player and her father is Mick Doonan, one of the founding members of 70s electric-folk outfit Hedgehog Pie and latterly a member of The Solicitors soul band.
Meanwhile, the Brit Awards attracted 5.4 million viewers on Wednesday night – a slight drop from last year’s ceremony. The event, which featured a politically charged performance from Katy Perry as well as awards for the late David Bowie, peaked at 6.2 million and claimed a 26 per cent share of viewers.
Last year, when an emotional Adele dominated the event and swore on air, 5.8 million viewers tuned in, peaking at 6.5 million.