 LONDON, UK (George Michael Fans & UK MTV Websites) - George Michael will record a cover of Don McLean's famous song 'The Grave' exclusively to air on MTV UK & Ireland, plus MTV channels across Europe in order to make a hard-hitting and provocative personal statement about the issue of war. 'The Grave' will make its MTV d�but from 0600 Monday 3 March 2003. The performance, to take place at MTV UK & Ireland's studios this weekend, will also be streamed online to view-on-demand across MTV's network of 10 websites in Europe from Monday 3 March. McLean penned 'The Grave' in 1971 and it was included on the highly acclaimed 'American Pie' album. Renowned for its hard-hitting yet haunting verse, the lyrics of 'The Grave' will remain largely unchanged in George Michael's version. Commented Brent Hansen, President & Chief Executive, MTV Networks Europe, "MTV Europe is free from political standpoint and prides itself in offering its audience a number of perspectives on a variety of issues that are important to them. George Michael has a history of expressing strong, personal views, with inimitable creativity and conviction that resonates with MTV Europe audiences." 'The Grave' is the second protest song George has released since the infamous 'Shoot The Dog', where he used political satire to highlight his fears about the subservience of the British 'bulldog' (UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair) to George Bush. More recently Ms Dynamite performed a reworking of his smash-hit 'Faith' as an anti-war protest at the Brits with George portrayed via video link during the performance.  As part of its programming to address viewers' interest in the Iraqi conflict, MTV will be airing 'An MTV Forum With Tony Blair: Is War The Answer?' on 7th March 2003 at 9pm. The forum will take the form of an open and direct dialogue between Prime Minister Tony Blair and 40 young people from all over Europe, the Middle East and the US.
An MTV Forum With Tony Blair: Is War The Answer? is set to transmit to over 300 million homes globally.
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