Bill Clinton Calls Music A 'Unifying Force In Our World'

Former US President Bill Clinton has praised the role of music in bringing the people of the world closer together.

In a letter to renowned Belfast punk icon Terri Hooley, Clinton described music as “a powerful unifying force in our world”.

He said it was capable of “bringing people together across boundaries of geography, background, religion and culture."

Clinton’s letter coincides with the 30th anniversary of Mr Hooley’s Good Vibrations record label and shop which opened at the height of Northern Ireland's troubles.

One of Mr Hooley’s protégés were The Undertones, who released the classic ‘Teenage Kicks’ on the Good Vibrations label.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Hooley admitted that punk music had been important in bringing people together amid the violence.

"It didn't matter whether you were Protestant, Catholic, whether you had green, orange or purple hair, as long as you were punk it was fine,” he said.

President Clinton praised Mr Hooley in his letter saying he had given "young people something positive to say yes to" and musicians the chance to “realise their dreams”.