NEW ORLEANS, LA  [Thursday Jan.5.2006]  /WMQT.com/ -- The Edge wants to help put guitars back into the hands of Gulf Coast musicians who lost them during last year's devastating hurricanes.

The U2 guitarist, along with producer Bob Ezrin and Gibson Guitar CEO Henry Juszkiewicz, have started an initiative called "Music Rising" to raise funds to replace the lost instruments and accessories of musicians affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"The devastation wrought by the hurricanes of 2005 to the Gulf Coast region has threatened not only the lives and livelihoods of the region's residents, but the area's rich and spirited culture as well," said The Edge in a statement.

Edge adds, "Providing replacement instruments through Music Rising will not only help thousands of professional musicians affected by the hurricanes to regain a foothold on their future, but will also ensure that one of the Gulf Coast's greatest assets, its music, rises again."

For more information about Music Rising or to make a tax-deductible contribution, visit www.musicrising.org.

Wanna own a piece of U2?

More on U2