Yoko Ono has donated the publishing royalties to the entire John Lennon back catalogue in an effort to make sure a new all-star tribute to her husband is a true charity event.

R.E.M, Christina Aguilera and Green Day are among the acts who have recorded Lennon classics for new covers album Instant Karma: The Campaign To Save Darfur.

The disc is part of Amnesty International's Global Music Activism Project Make Some Noise, which will benefit relief work in Darfur, Sudan.

The album hits stores in June, but R.E.M's version of #9 Dream has been released as a single today.

Ono admits she was thrilled to be able to help the struggling refugees in Darfur and didn't hesitate to waive publishing rights for the cause.

She says, "It's wonderful that, through this campaign, music that is so familiar to many people of my era will now be embraced by a whole new generation.

"John's music set out to inspire change, and in standing up for human rights, we really can make the world a better place."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)