An acoustic guitar signed by music legend Steve Hackett will be the star prize at this year’s Prog in the Park festival in Dunfermline.
The former Genesis lead guitarist has donated the instrument to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support at this year’s event at the Glen Pavilion on April 4.
Hackett, part of the classic Genesis line-up with Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford that produced acclaimed albums such as Selling England by the Pound, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his time with the band.
He has also been a successful solo artist.
Prog in the Park promoter Kevin O’Neil has secured the guitar through a connection with former Abel Ganz and Pallas singer Alan Reed.
It is likely to be the most sought-after item in the raffle.
Kevin, from Inverkeithing, launched the first Prog in the Park festival last year to thank the NHS and cancer charities for the support he received as he recovered from a rare form of cancer.
He is one of just 15 people in the world to have had malignant myopericytoma, which saw a tumour on his shoulder grow to the size of a bowling ball.
This year, seven bands are playing on the main stage and a further four or five acts will take to the Glen stage, named after the venue’s Glen Suite, with prog rock played for 12 hours.
Mr O’Neill said: “Prog in the Park is my way of giving something back to those that helped me through my cancer journey.
“It’s important that If you suspect something is wrong that you see your doctor as soon as possible and get it checked out.
“The NHS has saved my life a couple of times and we are lucky to have such a great health service.
“We are also fortunate to have a number of charities which support not just people with cancer, but also their families.”
He added: “I would like to thank not just Steve Hackett for signing this guitar, but also Alan Reed for organising this.”
Alan Reed, who will be appearing at Prog in the Park 2.0 with his band Alan Reed and the Daughters of Expediency, said: “I can’t wait to be back in Dunfermline, gie’n it laldy – as they say in Surrey.
“Great venue and great audience.”
Tickets for Prog in the Park are available at proginthepark.com
