Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian awarded on behalf of the President of the republic “Orders of Honor” to the vocalist of “Deep Purple” band Ian Gillan, lead guitarist of “Black Sabbath” band Tony Iommi, member of “Asia” band Geoff Downes and the author of “Rock Aid Armenia” project Jon Dee today.

Mediamax quotes Tigran Sargsian as saying that “today is a special day for the Armenian people”.

“We are hosting world-famous people to express gratitude to them on behalf of the Armenian people. 20 years have passed from that tragic date, but our people still remembers the losses we bore in 1988, and expresses huge gratitude to all those, who held us a helping hand in those difficult days”, Prime Minister stressed.

According to him, “in those days it seemed that the world is very small, since Armenia received aid from all parts of the world and today, thanking you, we have been given the opportunity to also thank all the people in the world, who helped us 20 years ago”.

“I could not imagine that I would be awarding people, whose fan I was. Today is one of the happiest days in my life”, Armenian Prime Minister stated.

Legendary tennis player Pat Cash was awarded a commemorative medal of the Armenian Prime Minister. 
Author of “Rock Aid Armenia” project, Head of Australian “Do Something” NGO Jon Dee thanked the President and the Prime Minister of Armenia for the high award, noting that they are ready even today to continue rendering assistance to people, who suffered from the earthquake, especially children. “We are ready to return to Armenia with pleasure and help reestablish the musical school in Gyumri”, he stated.
Goal of “Armenia Grateful 2 Rock” project is to express gratitude to participants of “Rock Aid Armenia” project, realized 20 years ago in 1989. At that time, the British rock stars recorded a cover-version of Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” song and produced the special “Earthquake Album”, and the entire proceeds from sale of the album were sent to Armenia, which had suffered from disastrous Spitak earthquake in 1988.

General sponsor of the project is “ArmRosGazprom” Company, which occupies the 1st place in the list of top taxpayers in Armenia. BMI is the sponsor and the official airline of the project.