Bath Chronicle 24/11/2000

EXCLUSIVE By Paul Mullins

BATH'S famous rock duo Tears for Fears could soon be performing together again.

At a charity event in the city last night, Roland Orzabal - who was one half of the 1980s band - revealed he and former musical partner Curt Smith were getting together again for the first time since 1990.

More than 100 people took part in the charity auction at which one of Roland's guitars fetched nearly £3,000.

He had donated the guitar to help raise an estimated £250,000 needed to build new facilities to help autistic children in the city.

The star said he had been writing new material with Curt for a future Tears for Fears project.

Earlier this year, there were strong rumours of a comeback, but Curt's mother Norma, who lives in Bath, said she had heard nothing of the plans at the time.

Her son is based in Los Angeles and has been recording under the name of Mayfield.

The group had a string of hits in the 1980s, including Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Shout, and Mad World.

Roland travelled to Bath yesterday from London where he has been filming a video for his new single Lowlife, due for release in February.

He was asked to help out by his friend Susie Rogers, whose five-year-old son Tristan attends the Margaret Coates Unit at Fosseway School, Odd Down, for children with autism and other communication problems.

The star agreed to part with his prized walnut and gold guitar, worth around £1,000.

It was among 15 items auctioned at the £25-a head evening at the Ring o Bells in Widcombe.

He said: "I have about 40 guitars but not all of them have a history attached to them.

"This one has the most because it was used on the biggest hits and was used for eight months on a world tour."

He added that he was only too pleased to help. "Susie is a friend of ours and her son is my wife's godson and he is a lovely child, " he said.

The guitar was bought by Sally Freeman for £2,800 and the evening has raised more than £8,000.