Stars gather for Nelson Mandela's birthday
LONDON (AP) - June 27, 2008 Winehouse, whose participation was in doubt when she was
hospitalized last week after fainting, is reported to have
rehearsed a rendition of the Specials' 1984 anthem "Free Nelson
Mandela" for the Hyde Park show, hosted by Will Smith.
The event marks Mandela's birthday July 18 and comes 20 years
after a 70th birthday concert at Wembley Stadium that helped press
South Africa's apartheid authorities for his freedom.
Proceeds from the show - which organizers hoped would be
attended by 46,664 people - will go to 46664, the AIDS charity
named for the number Mandela wore in prison.
Queen guitarist Brian May said the event was "as important and
as joyful as anything we've done in our lives, and has a great
serious significance as well."
"It's very much about spreading Nelson Mandela's message to the
next generation, and I'm very happy to be a part of it," May said.
Annie Lennox, who performed at the 1988 show as part of
Eurythmics, was scheduled to sing Friday. Also on the lineup: Josh
Groban, the Soweto Gospel Choir, Simple Minds, Sugababes,
Razorlight and African artists including Johnny Clegg and Papa
Wemba.
Organizers said Bono and The Edge from the Irish band U2 had
recorded a version of "Happy Birthday" that would be shown on big
screens during the show.
Mandela, a frequent visitor to London, has been in the city
since Monday for a week of birthday events. On Wednesday, he
attended a dinner with guests including Prime Minister Gordon
Brown, former President Clinton, Robert De Niro and Oprah Winfrey.
Mandela was released from prison in 1990 after 27 years behind
bars, and was elected South Africa's first black president in 1994.
He retired from politics in 1999 and has since campaigned to
prevent the spread of AIDS.