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Final preparations underway for Mandela birthday tribute

27.06.2008 15:01 Arts - Source: cbc.ca

Friday's charity fundraiser marks Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday.(Denis Farrell/Associated Press)

London is finalizing details for the celebrity-studded charity concert in Hyde Park to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday.

Annie Lennox, Amy Winehouse, Queen, Josh Groban, Johnny Clegg, Papa Wemba, Simple Minds and the Soweto Gospel Choir are among the host of top international recording acts set to take the stage Friday in honour of the former South African president.

"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," said Queen guitarist Brian May.

Bono and The Edge of U2 have recorded a version of Happy Birthday that will be shown during the concert, organizers said.

Troubled soul singer Winehouse, who was hospitalized last week, is still slated to perform, with reports that the 24-year-old will sing The Specials' 1984 tune Free Nelson Mandela with the Soweto Gospel Choir.

Hosted by U.S. actor Will Smith, the four-hour-long concert is the latest fundraiser for the HIV/AIDS charity 46664 — named for the number Mandela wore during his 27-year imprisonment in South Africa's apartheid era.

Though Mandela's birthday is actually July 18, Friday's date was chosen to commemorate the 20th anniversary of another charity concert: the 1988 Wembley Stadium show that called for his freedom from prison. He was eventually released in 1990.

"I can't believe it's 20 years ago," said The Specials founder Jerry Dammers, who added that writing the song led to his becoming involved with Artists Against Apartheid and working on other charity concerts.

"This is great. It's [Mandela's] 90th birthday and we're celebrating that."

Mandela arrived in London on Monday for a week of birthday celebrations, including a private meeting with the Queen and dinner Wednesday night with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, former U.S. president Bill Clinton, talk show host Oprah Winfrey and actor Robert De Niro.

Highlights of Friday's concert will be broadcast on CBC-TV and CBC Radio 2 and streamed from CBC.ca/mandela on Friday evening beginning at 7:30 p.m. The full concert will air on CBC digital channel bold on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET. It will also be available on CBC.ca until July 27.

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