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Mandela joins stars at London gig | Mandela joins stars at London gig |
(30 minutes later) | |
Nelson Mandela has joined music stars on stage at a concert in central London celebrating his 90th birthday. | Nelson Mandela has joined music stars on stage at a concert in central London celebrating his 90th birthday. |
Mr Mandela told the crowd: "We are honoured to be back in London for this wonderful occasion." | Mr Mandela told the crowd: "We are honoured to be back in London for this wonderful occasion." |
Amy Winehouse, Annie Lennox and Queen were among those who took part in the Hyde Park event. | |
As well as marking the former South African president's birthday, the concert raised funds for Mr Mandela's HIV/Aids charity 46664. | |
Mr Mandela arrived on stage flanked by stars of the show, including Geri Halliwell and Leona Lewis. | Mr Mandela arrived on stage flanked by stars of the show, including Geri Halliwell and Leona Lewis. |
Reporter's log: All the latest news from Hyde Park | Reporter's log: All the latest news from Hyde Park |
Referring to the Free Nelson Mandela concert at Wembley 20 years ago, he said: "Many years ago there was a historic concert which called for our freedom. Your voices carried across the water and inspired us in our prison cells far away. | |
"Tonight we can stand before you, free." | "Tonight we can stand before you, free." |
He added: "But even as we celebrate, let us remind ourselves that our work is far from complete. | He added: "But even as we celebrate, let us remind ourselves that our work is far from complete. |
"Where there is poverty and sickness including Aids, where human beings are being oppressed, there is more work to be done. Our work is for freedom for all." | "Where there is poverty and sickness including Aids, where human beings are being oppressed, there is more work to be done. Our work is for freedom for all." |
Amy Winehouse was among those who performed at the gig | Amy Winehouse was among those who performed at the gig |
He added to applause: "Friends and those watching all around the world, please continue supporting our 46664 campaign. | He added to applause: "Friends and those watching all around the world, please continue supporting our 46664 campaign. |
"We say tonight after nearly 90 years of life, it's time for new hands to lift the burdens. It's in your hands now, I thank you." | "We say tonight after nearly 90 years of life, it's time for new hands to lift the burdens. It's in your hands now, I thank you." |
Earlier, actor Will Smith kicked off the concert with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, announcing: "The party begins now." | Earlier, actor Will Smith kicked off the concert with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, announcing: "The party begins now." |
He quoted singer Peter Gabriel as once saying: "If the world could only have one father, the man that we would choose to be our father would be Nelson Mandela." | He quoted singer Peter Gabriel as once saying: "If the world could only have one father, the man that we would choose to be our father would be Nelson Mandela." |
'Great man' | 'Great man' |
Lewis was one of the biggest hits of the night, singing her ballad Bleeding Love as well as Better In Time. | Lewis was one of the biggest hits of the night, singing her ballad Bleeding Love as well as Better In Time. |
The X Factor winner said: "When I was younger I remember my aunty and grandmother used to tell me stories about this incredible, wonderful, great man, Nelson Mandela. | The X Factor winner said: "When I was younger I remember my aunty and grandmother used to tell me stories about this incredible, wonderful, great man, Nelson Mandela. |
"We used to sing songs about him. It's incredible to sing here today at his 90th birthday celebration. I feel so honoured, I just can't begin to explain." | "We used to sing songs about him. It's incredible to sing here today at his 90th birthday celebration. I feel so honoured, I just can't begin to explain." |
Razorlight also performed, with frontman Johnny Borrell speaking out against the situation in Zimbabwe. | Razorlight also performed, with frontman Johnny Borrell speaking out against the situation in Zimbabwe. |
Leona Lewis was popular with the audience in Hyde Park | Leona Lewis was popular with the audience in Hyde Park |
Formula One star Lewis Hamilton introduced the Sugababes, describing it as an "honour and a privilege" to be at the concert. | Formula One star Lewis Hamilton introduced the Sugababes, describing it as an "honour and a privilege" to be at the concert. |
The Sugababes, who prompted the crowd to wish Mr Mandela "Happy Birthday" sang their hits Push the Button and About You Now. | The Sugababes, who prompted the crowd to wish Mr Mandela "Happy Birthday" sang their hits Push the Button and About You Now. |
Lennox, who performed at the Free Nelson Mandela Wembley concert 20 years ago, took to the stage wearing a T-shirt saying "HIV Positive". | Lennox, who performed at the Free Nelson Mandela Wembley concert 20 years ago, took to the stage wearing a T-shirt saying "HIV Positive". |
In a message to Mr Mandela, talking about HIV and Aids, she said: "We must do something to prevent a virtual genocide upon your people." | In a message to Mr Mandela, talking about HIV and Aids, she said: "We must do something to prevent a virtual genocide upon your people." |
Gabriel then introduced rapper Emmanuel Jal, a former child soldier. Gabriel said the performer had the "potential of a young Bob Marley". | Gabriel then introduced rapper Emmanuel Jal, a former child soldier. Gabriel said the performer had the "potential of a young Bob Marley". |
Other performers include Andrea and Sharon Corr, Eddy Grant, the Soweto Gospel Choir and Simple Minds. | Other performers include Andrea and Sharon Corr, Eddy Grant, the Soweto Gospel Choir and Simple Minds. |
Momentum | Momentum |
Winehouse defied her detractors to take to the stage just days after coming out of hospital. | Winehouse defied her detractors to take to the stage just days after coming out of hospital. |
Wearing a "Blake" heart in her signature beehive style and a huge pair of platform shoes, Winehouse sang her hits Rehab and Valerie, drawing cheers and applause from the crowds. | |
Razorlight's Johnny Borrell got political on stageMany African artists also flew in for the birthday gig, including Papa Wemba of DR Congo, and South African singers Loyiso and Kurt Darren. | |
Families travelled from across the UK to watch the gig, including Andrea Hawker from Sussex and Debbie McElhatton from Surrey, both of whom brought their daughters. | |
"We came to be a part of the excitement," said Mrs McElhatton. | "We came to be a part of the excitement," said Mrs McElhatton. |
Her daughter Louise added: "We thought it would be good fun to see loads of different artists and different types of music." | Her daughter Louise added: "We thought it would be good fun to see loads of different artists and different types of music." |
The 46664 charity was named after the prison number which Mr Mandela was given during the 27 years he spent behind bars for his stand against South African apartheid. | The 46664 charity was named after the prison number which Mr Mandela was given during the 27 years he spent behind bars for his stand against South African apartheid. |