Veteran holds concert to raise money for arts centre in memory of New Cross Fire victims

A virtual fundraising concert is being thrown in honour of the victims of the New Cross Fire – forty years to the day after a 1981 benefit.

The concert will be streamed live from Goldsmiths University from 2pm on Sunday, May 23 and will feature Eddie Capone and Jimmy Lindsay who performed at the concert in 1981.

Also performing are Junior Giscombe, Omar and Leee John.

The event is raising money to build an arts centre in memory of the 14 young people who died because of the New Cross Fire and will be streamed on Youtube.

Mr Capone, who organised the concert, is aiming to raise an ambitious £1 million for the project.

He said: “I thought I would redo the event, but for a different purpose and for a different reason – and my reason was to look at how I could transform those young lives into something of value. 

“I can’t bring them back but I can create some form of value for them, because they never got to see the fruition of their lives. It was cut short. So I would like to turn that poison into something of medicine.”

The original concert was held on May 23, 1981 and featured Sugar Minott with the Black Roots Players, Square Wave and Mighty Shades.

Mr Capone, who is a veteran and musician, said the idea for the concert came to him while he was in hospital earlier this year with Covid.

He said: “It all came to me in my hospital bed. I got a text that there was a memorial service for the 14 young people that had died in the New Cross Fire.

“I thought my goodness, that’s really not good enough. Year in and year out all we can do is say prayers for these young lives and within a few days I thought I’ve got to do something.”

Wayne Haynes, who survived the New Cross Fire, has given his support to Mr Capone’s plans.

He said: “Eddie is one of the few out there that’s willing to give up his time and his knowledge for nothing.

“Right now, the youngsters out there need some guidance and we no longer have those places for those kids to go and get that guidance. 

“What Eddie’s looking to set up will be a hub for those kids to go. They’ll be able to go and do something and learn something constructive with their time.”

Mr Capone added: “I would like to add how grateful I am that everyone has come forward and given up their time and talent for this amazing and worthy cause. 

“I am really looking forward to Sunday. It will be a show like no other since lock down. I know everyone will be giving it their all.”

Mr Capone also walked 300 miles throughout April to raise funds for the centre, completing a ten mile trip from the Sainsbury’s in New Cross to Catford Town Hall and back again every day.

He completed the challenge despite still recovering from the after effects of Covid.

The New Cross Fire killed 13 young black people who had been at a birthday party in the early hours of Sunday, January 18, 1981.

To donate click here and to watch the concert on Sunday click here.

Pictured top: Eddie Capone, the organiser of the event