Help Hazel get back on the road.

I am setting up this crowdfunding campaign for a very dear friend of mine Hazel O'Connor. Yes, "the" Hazel O'Connor of Breaking Glass fame.

 

So whats the story? Hazel was driving up the motorway in France with her two dogs Lolly and Diva to catch the ferry across to Ireland where she had some mid-January concerts in Dublin and Belfast. After 300 miles her car broke down with no possibility to repair in situ. After much deliberation and cost, the immediate issue was to get the car towed back to home base and get her local mechanics expert opinion. The conclusion was not good. Replace the engine or buy another car.

 

If you have read thus far, you may be thinking that this regularly happens to people and surely such a famous person should have the funds to sort this out? Most of her fans know this, but the short answer is 'No'! Yes, Hazel is a well known singer, song-writer, and actress but she never recieved all the earnings that went with it. The story is a rocky one, but is well documented in the book Money for Nothing: Greed and Exploitation in the Music Industry by the author Simon Garfield. The title explains it all, but a young upcoming Hazel fell foul of an unscrupulous industry. Despite her fame, she has lived hand to mouth ever since. Ironic for such a compassionate person who wears her heart on her sleeve.

 

Touring is Hazels main source of income. It is her livelihood. She has driven around Europe to some 50 - 60 concerts and festivals every year for the past 40 plus years. Apart from her song writing talents and her famous silky gravely voice, her car is one of the tools of her trade. Without a car her shows are just not possible. How sad is that for her and for everyone that has enjoyed not only her heartfelt live concerts but also the very entertaining Live Lounge concerts performed online during the pandemic lockdowns?

 

I am sure that as a strong independant woman Hazel may be embarrassed by my crowd funding request, but let us help her get back on the road. If we all donated just the price of a cup of tea or coffee (see what i did there?), maybe, just maybe, Hazel will able to buy a reliable nearly new, or why not, brand new car? Wouldn't it be fulfilling to show some compassion and give something back to the wonderful caring person who has brought us so much joy and pleasure since Breaking Glass hit the silver screen all those years ago?