A star-studded cast of artists have celebrated Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday with a giant concert in London overnight in support of his global AIDS campaign.Amy Winehouse and Annie Lennox were among the musicians performing at the Hyde Park gig for the former South African president's 46664 campaign, which was being broadcast around the world.Queen and Paul Rodgers also rocked the audience before a finale of "Free Nelson Mandela" featuring Winehouse and the song's writer, Specials keyboard player Jerry Dammers, plus all the artists.Other performers on the concert bill included Simple Minds, Josh Groban, Joan Baez, Leona Lewis, the Sugababes, Eddy Grant, Jamelia, Zucchero and the Sudanese "war child" rapper Emmanuel Jal.
A 46664 spokesman said Mr Mandela attended the Hyde Park gig to thank the British people for a concert at London's Wembley Stadium in 1988, which called for his release from jail.Precisely 46,664 tickets - after Mandela's prison number during his 27-year incarceration for trying to topple South Africa's apartheid regime - went on sale for the three-and-a-half-hour concert.The African liberation hero, who turns 90 on July 18, is now in frail health.
"The world remains beset by so much human suffering, poverty and deprivation," Mr Mandela said at a fundraising dinner during the week.
"It is in your hands to make of our world a better one for all, especially the poor, vulnerable and marginalised." The 46664 campaign, which has seen four previous multi-artist concerts, aims to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic which is rife in sub-Saharan Africa.
South Africa is one of the countries worst-hit by HIV, with 5.41 million people living with the illness.
A 46664 spokesman said Mr Mandela attended the Hyde Park gig to thank the British people for a concert at London's Wembley Stadium in 1988, which called for his release from jail.Precisely 46,664 tickets - after Mandela's prison number during his 27-year incarceration for trying to topple South Africa's apartheid regime - went on sale for the three-and-a-half-hour concert.The African liberation hero, who turns 90 on July 18, is now in frail health.
"The world remains beset by so much human suffering, poverty and deprivation," Mr Mandela said at a fundraising dinner during the week.
"It is in your hands to make of our world a better one for all, especially the poor, vulnerable and marginalised." The 46664 campaign, which has seen four previous multi-artist concerts, aims to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic which is rife in sub-Saharan Africa.
South Africa is one of the countries worst-hit by HIV, with 5.41 million people living with the illness.
The Edge and Bono have appeared at this evening’s 46664 Concert honouring Nelson Mandela at 90. In a pre-recorded video message, the pair performed a special version of Stevie Wonder’s Happy Birthday. Filmed in Dublin, you can watch the video at www.happybirthdaymandela.com/ and also end your own birthday message.
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