Want to hear The Killers and Elton John together on the same song? On 1 December, you can - that is, if you sign up for a new digital music service called (RED) WIRE.
As it so happens, 1 December is World Aids Day, and (RED) WIRE, an outgrowth of Bono's activist organization (RED), will donate all the proceeds from subscriptions to benefit HIV-infected people in Africa.
So far, a glittering array of talent has signed on to donate exclusive songs. In addition to The Killers and Elton John, there's U2, Coldplay, Bob Dylan, Jay-Z, The Dixie Chicks, REM, John Legend, and what sounds like another 'killer' combination: The Police and Elvis Costello rocking out to both Walking On The Moon and Watching The Detectives.
Killers, Elton John kick things off
The first track will be the Christmas song Joseph, Better You Than Me, the much-anticipated pairing of The Killers and Elton John, who are joined by Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant (who, according to Killers frontman Brandon Flowers, provided crucial songwriting ideas). The song is said to be something of a 'power ballad,' a dirty term to some, but we don't see how this combination can miss.
Here's how it works
For a bargain price of £4 (or $5) per month, (RED) WIRE users will receive new content weekly that will be downloaded into a custom player and automatically loaded into iTunes.
In addition to exclusive tracks, there will be other media, such as short films, photos and special readings from actors and recording artists.
Great content, great cause - where do we sign up? Actually, here's the place: Redwire.com.
