The RD Crusaders is a supergroup band created by

The Who The Who are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup (1964–1978) consisted of lead vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon. Considered one of th ...

Roger Daltrey Sir Roger Harry Daltrey (born 1 March 1944) is an English singer, musician and actor. He is the co-founder and lead vocalist of the Rock music, rock band the Who, known for his powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. His stage persona ear ...

and newspaper publisher

Richard Desmond Richard Clive Desmond (born 8 December 1951) is a British publisher, businessman, and former Pornography, pornographer. According to the 2021 ''Sunday Times Rich List'', Desmond was the 107th richest person in the United Kingdom. He is the fo ...

in 2003. The group has raised several million in funds for charities including

Teenage Cancer Trust Teenage Cancer Trust is a cancer care and support charity in the UK that exists to improve the cancer experience of young people aged 13–24. Founded in 1990, the charity's key service is providing specialist teenage units in NHS hospitals. It ...

and Norwood. Their lineup varies but originally consisted of vocalists Roger Daltrey and

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, guitarist

Russ Ballard Russell Glyn Ballard (born 31 October 1945) is an English rock singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer. Originally rising to prominence as the lead singer and guitarist of the band Argent, Ballard became a prolific songwriter and producer b ...

(of

Argent In heraldry, argent () is the tincture of silver, and belongs to the class of light tinctures called "metals". It is very frequently depicted as white and usually considered interchangeable with it. In engravings and line drawings, regions to b ...

), bassist

Rick Wills Richard William Wills (born 5 December 1947) is an English bass guitarist. He is best known for his work with the rock band Foreigner and his associations with the Small Faces, Roxy Music, Peter Frampton, Spooky Tooth, David Gilmour, Bad Compa ...

(of Foreigner and

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), drummer Steve Smith, organist

Zoot Money George Bruno "Zoot" Money (17 July 1942 – 8 September 2024) was an English vocalist, keyboardist and bandleader. He was best known for playing the Hammond organ and for his leadership of the Big Roll Band. Inspired by Jerry Lee Lewis and Ra ...

, and Richard Desmond.

Activities

The super group made their 2003 debut at a charity gig to benefit

Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club is a jazz club that has operated in Soho, London, since 1959. History The club opened on 30 October 1959 in a basement at 39 Gerrard Street in London's Soho district. It was set up and managed by musicians Ronnie Sc ...

in London. Band members and guests at that show included: Roger Daltrey,

Gary Moore Robert William Gary Moore (4 April 19526 February 2011) was a Northern Irish musician. Over the course of his career, he played in various groups and performed a range of music including blues, blues rock, hard rock, Heavy metal music, heavy ...

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, Nick Newall, Sam Brown,

and Richard Desmond. In 2010 the group was in talks to play a charity show in Hollywood, CA. In 2006 the group held a concert and auction in

Old Billingsgate Market Old Billingsgate Market is the name given to what is now a hospitality and events venue in the City of London, based in the Victorian building that was originally Billingsgate Fish Market, the world's largest fish market in the 19th century. ...

which raised funds for the

Evelina Children's Hospital Evelina London Children's Hospital is a specialist National Health Service, NHS hospital in London, England. It is administratively a part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and provides teaching facilities for London South Bank Univers ...

Appeal. The line up featured Richard Desmond, Roger Daltrey,

Robert Plant Robert Anthony Plant (born 20 August 1948) is an English singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band Led Zeppelin from its founding in 1968 until their breakup in 1980. Since then, he has had a successful solo ca ...

Elkie Brooks Elkie Brooks (born Elaine Bookbinder; 25 February 1945) is an English Rock music, rock, blues and jazz singer. She was a vocalist with the bands Dada and Vinegar Joe (band), Vinegar Joe, and later became a solo artist. She gained her biggest su ...

, Lulu,

, Zoot Money,

, Steve Smith, Nick Newall, Nikki Lamborn (lead singer of

Never The Bride Never the Bride are an English band founded in the early 1990s. The group is led by singer Nikki Lamborn (formerly known as Nikki "B" Bentley) and keyboardist/guitarist/singer Catherine "Been" Feeney, who co-write the music. The band's sound in ...

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and Margot Buchanan. In April 2010, Daltrey, Ballard and Desmond launched The RD Crusaders' WorkHub center for the Norwood charity, which offers support into work for people with learning disabilities.

References

British rock music groups Rock music supergroups {{UK-rock-band-stub