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ITN
Stellar birthday bash for Mandela
Stellar birthday bash for Mandela
One of the biggest and most glamorous birthday parties ever is taking place as stars join Nelson Mandela for his 90th birthday concert.Performers including Amy Winehouse, Queen and Paul Rodgers and Leona Lewis will take to the stage in London's Hyde Park.They will play to a crowd of 46,664 people - the same figure as Mr Mandela's prison number.Winehouse, whose place in the concert was thrown into doubt when she was hospitalised, could be the highlight of the night.Her publicist said she was being treated for early signs of what could lead to the lung disease emphysema.She is being tipped to be performing a version of the song Free Nelson Mandela, which became a banner for the anti-apartheid movement in UK, with its composer Jerry Dammers.Dammers was one of the organisers of Artists Against Apartheid and Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday concert which took place in London 20 years ago.He is making a "special appearance", according to organisers.Dignitaries from around the world have been in London this week to help Mr Mandela celebrate his milestone, which he reaches on July 18.A fundraising dinner in London on Wednesday was attended by Bill Clinton, Gordon Brown, Oprah Winfrey, Robert De Niro, Will Smith and Bob Geldof.However, not everyone who was expected to take centre stage later has been able to do so.Dame Shirley Bassey was forced to pull out of the concert following her emergency stomach surgery.And it was revealed earlier this week that Naomi Campbell had been dropped from appearing at the concert over her air rage conviction.The former South African President was said to have had a say in the decision.Mr Mandela spent 27 years in jail for his role leading the campaign against apartheid in South Africa before being elected president in 1994.He officially retired from politics nine years ago, but despite his age and ill health he has continued to campaign around the world for peace and an end to poverty.Also joining the celebrations are multi-million selling classical pop singer Josh Groban and folk rock singer Joan Baez.The concert also boasts Annie Lennox, Simple Minds, Sugababes and Razorlight, along with a host of of Africa's most highly-regarded artists including Johnny Clegg, Soweto Gospel Choir and Papa Wemba.Proceeds from the three and-a-half hour concert will benefit Mr Mandela's HIV Aids charity 46664 which he founded in 2002.
ITN | June 27, 2008
