ROCK legend Eric Clapton is donating a track to a CD by homeless Newport musicians after a Buckingham Palace encounter between the superstar and the switched-on boss of a city charity.
Richard Frame,director of Solas, Newport-based charity for the homeless and a friend of the late punk musician Joe Strummer, was queuing at the Palace to receive his MBE when he spotted the 59-year-old superstar, whose nickname is `Slowhand'.
"We were both getting our gongs from Princess Anne. The moment I recognised Eric was like a light going on over my head.
"I know he is concerned about social issues. It occurred to me that he might like to help some of the homeless students working at Solas' pilot project by chipping in for their Christmastide CD," Mr Frame said.
"I was told to get in touch with his personal assistant who said that Eric would be delighted to donate a track."
Solas - formerly Newport Action for the Single Homeless - was started 21 years ago with Richard Frame as its first director. More than 400 people a year are helped to find a place to live, kick any drug or drink problems they have, and get a job.
Clapton, who has his own drugs charity following his well-documented addictions, is a CBE.
Mr Frame, 51, said: "When I was at Newport Art College in my youth I was a bit of a rocker. I used to hang out with Joe Strummer. In fact I've still got his ukulele."
"From the very beginning of the pilot project, which we ran from our George Street headquarters, I realised that music was a way to help people find a way around their problems.
"This Christmas we have come out with a CD called The Life We Lead. "Next year the Eric Clapton track will be slotted in among the work by Newport musicians. Being able to say `I'm on a CD with Eric Clapton' will do wonders for their self-esteem."
Cyril Offley, the rock singer's personal assistant, said yesterday: "It was a lucky encounter. Eric is delighted to help out."
Asked how it was to pull off a music publishing coup Mr Frame replied "To put it in the words of the master - I Feel Wonderful Tonight."
