On February 24 when Russia invaded Ukraine, many Ukrainians left their day jobs and families to protect and preserve their country. Just like many of the men of Ukraine, “Boombox” singer Andriy Khlyvnyuk ended his US tour to return to his homeland to join the force to keep back Russian forces. It was three days later after his deployment to protect his homeland that he uploaded to Instagram him singing the Ukrainian song “The Red Viburnum in the Meadow”.
Pink Floyd members David Gilmour and Nick Mason, along with bassist Guy Pratt and keyboardist Nitin Sawhney came together to record the single “Hey Hey Rise Up” which features Andriy singin the folk song which forms the basis of the single. Proceeds from the single will be benefiting the Ukrainian Humanitarian Relief.
“We, like so many, have been feeling the fury and the frustration of this vile act of an independent, peaceful democratic country being invaded and having its people murdered by one of the world’s major powers,” says Gilmour whose has an Ukrainian daughter-in-law and grandchildren.