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A Concert for Diana
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Concert for Diana: Latest Headlines
Updated Sun. Jul. 1 2007 6:21 PM ET
As the news rolls in and the excitement builds for one of the summer’s hottest events, we’ll keep you posted on all the latest developments.
Top Five Moments
Here’s the top five moments of the concert from our vantage point here at CTV.ca.
Concert for Diana an exuberant celebration
Ten years after her untimely death, the most popular royal of the 20th century wwas remembered by some of England and the world’s most well-known pop acts.
Who Performed What?
Check out the rundown of artists and what they each performed during this memorable day
International Stars Join Concert for Diana as More Tickets are Announced
Anastacia, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, Donny Osmond and Jason Donovan will be appearing in a special musicals medley which Andrew Lloyd Webber has put together for Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium on 1st July.
Diana’s sons still dwell on her death
The sons of England’s Princess Diana said in a television interview that they still think about their mother’s death all the time.
Nelly Furtado Added to “Concert for Diana” Line-up
Nelly Furtado will celebrate Canada Day on CTV’s broadcast of the “Concert for Diana” as one of five more acts announced for the greatly- anticipated memorial concert event.
CTV Named Exclusive Canadian Broadcaster of The Concert for Diana, July 1
As the exclusive Canadian broadcaster of Concert for Diana, CTV will connect Canadians with an expected worldwide audience of half a billion households.
JULY 1, 2007 Wembley Stadium, LONDON, ENGLAND
“The Concert for Diana” was an event that honoured the life and legacy of Princess Diana on the tenth anniversary of her tragic death.
It would have been her 46th birthday.
Prince William, along with his brother Harry, organized the day’s event which included performances from Elton John, Rod Stewart, Take That and Canada’s own Nelly Furtado.
Former President Bill Clinton also appeared via video message, along with others who knew Diana.
Proceeds from the concert went to charities supported by the late Princess, and to charities of which the Princes are Patrons.
“This has been the most perfect way of remembering her, and this is how she will always be remembered,” said Prince William.
If you missed any of these memorable performances, be sure to catch them all…
On Demand now …
Missed a Performance?
It was a memorable night and an unforgettable tribute to Diana’s legacy. Catch all your favorite performers and special guests On Demand now.
Stars make music at Diana concert
BBC NEWS :: Entertainment
Last Updated: Sunday, 1 July 2007, 21:54 GMT 22:54 UK
Up to 63,000 fans joined hosts Princes William and Harry at the gig, intended to celebrate Diana’s life, on what would have been her 46th birthday.
Sir Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Duran Duran and Joss Stone also joined the eclectic line-up at London’s Wembley Stadium.
It is 10 years since the princess died in a car crash in Paris in August 1997.
Prince William and Prince Harry returned to the stage at the end of Sir Elton’s final set, praising the artists for an “incredible evening”.
William, 25, called it “the most perfect way of remembering her”, adding that he hoped the concert had raised “enough money to make a difference”.
Sir Elton opened the six-hour concert with Your Song
In a televised tribute, ex-South African president Mandela praised Diana’s “energy, courage and selfless commitment” as he urged the crowd to “support the work that continues in her name”.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Bill Clinton were also among those who paid tribute to Diana in video clips during the show, along with members of a host of charitable organisations.
The event was broadcast to 140 countries, with proceeds from ticket sales going to charitable causes favoured by the princess.
Tight security
Earlier in the concert Prince Harry paid tribute to fellow soldiers serving in Iraq.
The 22-year-old had been due to be deployed in Basra this year, but military commanders decided against sending him there, deeming it too dangerous.
“I wish I was there with you. I’m sorry I can’t be. But to you and everybody else on operations at the moment, we would both like to say, stay safe,” he said.
Tight security greeted concert-goers attending the six-hour show, following recent attacks in London and Glasgow.
Sir Elton, 60, who famously performed a reworked version of Candle In The Wind at Diana’s funeral, opened the concert with a rendition of Your Song, performed in front of a giant photograph of Diana by Mario Testino.
He was followed by 80s stars Duran Duran played a trio of songs including Wild Boys – which they dedicated to the princes – and Rio, a favourite track of the late princess.
Hollywood stars including Dennis Hopper, Kiefer Sutherland and former X Files star Gillian Anderson also took part.
Film legend Hopper, 71, introduced Lily Allen who brought the crowd to their feet performing LDN and her number one hit Smile.
The princes announced plans to put on a concert last Christmas
Canadian singer Nelly Furtado also went down a storm with the crowd, including the princes, dancing throughout her three-song set.
The English National Ballet – of which Princess Diana was a patron – brought a change of pace to the day.
Their performance from Swan Lake reminded everyone of the princess’s love of the ballet.
Introducing the second part of the show, Status Quo had the crowd jumping with classic track Rockin’ All Over the World, recalling their iconic performance in front of the late princess at Live Aid in 1985.
Another rock veteran, Sir Tom Jones, thrilled the crowd with his version of Arctic Monkey’s I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor before duetting with Joss Stone on Ain’t That A Lot of Love.
Ballet stars performed an extract from Swan Lake
Will Young made a theatrical entrance. Dressed head-to-toe in white with a troupe of dancers, he sang Switch It On, before giving up the stage to Natasha Bedingfield.
The theatrical theme continued with a medley of hits from composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Led by US singer Anastacia, the medley included performances from Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman and Sound of Music star Connie Fisher.
Any Dream Will Do winner Lee Mead sang with fellow former “Josephs” Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond.
Joss Stone duetted with Sir Tom Jones to the crowd’s delight
Rod Stewart launched the third part of the day, as dusk fell on Wembley stadium.
A personal favourite of the late Princess, he sang Maggie May, Baby Jane – which he dedicated to Diana – and Sailing.
Some of Princes William and Harry’s favourites followed, with rapper Kanye West singing Gold Digger.
There was a poignant moment when P Diddy dedicated his hit track Missing You to the Princess.
Take That, who had been eagerly anticipated, did not disappoint, with their number one hit Patience, although rumours that Robbie Williams might join them on stage proved unfounded.
The evening wrapped up with a comic performance from Ricky Gervais, who was forced to improvise when technical problems caused a minor delay to Sir Elton’s closing set.
SEE ALSO
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RELATED BBC LINKS: Concert for Diana
In pictures: Concert for Diana
Last Updated: Sunday, 1 July 2007, 21:08 GMT 22:08 UK
BBC NEWS :: Entertainment
Sir Elton John opened Sunday’s Concert for Diana with a rendition of Your Song. The concert is intended to celebrate the life of the late Princess Diana, 10 years after her death.
Chart-topping 80s band Duran Duran sang a trio of tracks at Sunday’s memorial concert in London’s Wembley Stadium, including Rio – reportedly a favourite of the late princess.
Singer Lily Allen had the crowd on their feet with hit track Smile. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to charitable concerts favoured by Diana, Princess of Wales.
Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi (l-r) were among an eclectic bill at Sunday’s concert – a line-up inspired by the musical taste of Diana and her sons, Princes William and Harry.
The line-up included contemporary stars like The Feeling, Orson and rappers Pharrell Williams and P Diddy. The princes said the concert should celebrate Diana’s life “with music”.
Black Eyed Peas star Fergie gave a glamorous turn in the first part of the concert. She dedicated Boys Don’t Cry – “a song about hope” – to the late Diana, Princess of Wales
Prince William showed off his dance moves during Nelly Furtado’s performance of her hit track Maneater. The concert was also attended by his ex-girlfriend Kate Middleton.
Singer Nelly Furtado’s three-song set had the crowds on their feet at the revamped Wembley Stadium, on what would have been Princess Diana’s 46th birthday.
The late Princess Diana trained as a ballet dancer and went on to become patron of the English National Ballet. Members performed extracts of Swan Lake.
Sir Tom performed an Arctic Monkeys’ cover, before duetting with Joss Stone on Ain’t That A Lot of Love. “It’s wonderful feeling being here,” he said. “This is a wonderful tribute.”
Former Pop Idol winner Will Young performed in a white suit, flanked by female singers. The concert took place amid tight security, following recent attacks in London and Glasgow.
British Princes Honor Diana With Concert
Associated Press
By RAPHAEL G. SATTER 07.01.07, 4:24 PM ET
Waving their arms in the air with 70,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, princes William and Harry celebrated the life of their mother, Princess Diana, on what would have been her 46th birthday Sunday at a concert they organized.
William, 25, rocked his hips as Canadian pop star Nelly Furtado belted out her song “Man Eater” – to the embarrassment of younger brother Harry, who shook his head and laughed.
Harry, 22, said they asked Elton John to play “Candle in the Wind,” the song he sang at Diana’s 1997 funeral in Westminster Abbey. Originally about Marilyn Monroe, its lyrics were reworked in tribute to Diana and it became a worldwide No. 1 hit that same year.
“This evening is about all that my mother loved in life: her music, her dance, her charities and her family and friends,” William told the crowd, thanking them and millions more who watched the show on television.
Security for the event was increased after the discovery of two unexploded car bombs in central London on Friday and an attack on Glasgow airport on Saturday where a Jeep Cherokee slammed into the main terminal and burst into flames. At least 450 officers patrolled the concert.
The memorial concert mixed rock, pop, hip hop and classical ballet and featured some of Diana’s favorite acts including Duran Duran and Tom Jones. In honor of her love of dance and theater, there was a performance of an extract from “Swan Lake” by the English National Ballet and songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Younger artists such as Kanye West, Joss Stone and Lily Allen also performed.
William’s former girlfriend Kate Middleton attended the concert, further fueling rumors that the couple, who announced their split in April, have reconciled.
Diana died Aug. 31, 1997, along with her boyfriend Dodi Fayed and their driver when their Mercedes crashed inside the Pont d’Alma tunnel with media photographers in hot pursuit.
The princes have said that the memorial concert was intended as a celebration of their mother’s life.
Weeks of soggy weather lifted as the sun peeked out from behind gray clouds rolling over the newly built glass-and-steel stadium – Britain’s largest – which usually hosts soccer games.
“This is not an exercise in nostalgia, this is a party!” director and actor Dennis Hopper said, introducing Allen, the British singing star who performed a cheery rendition of her chart-topper “Smile.”
The crowd cheered as John played the piano and sang “Your Song” – and they were on their feet as the princes introduced Duran Duran.
“Pray for sun!” lead singer Simon LeBon told the crowd as the band broke into “Sunrise,” followed by “Rio,” which they dedicated to the late princess.
Harry added a special message for his army unit, currently serving in Iraq.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to say hi to all the guys in A Squadron of the Household Cavalry, who are serving out in Iraq at the moment,” he said. “I wish I was there with you. I’m sorry I can’t be. But to all of those on operations at the moment, we’d both like to say stay safe.”
Harry, a second lieutenant in the regiment, was banned from going to Iraq for security reasons.
A family of fans from Portsmouth in southern England said they had come to sample the wide variety of acts all playing under the same roof – but Diana was also in their minds.
“I was devastated,” Karen Moore, 50, a restaurateur, said of her death.
Diana is remembered for her glamour, her extensive charity work and her tempestuous marriage to Prince Charles, heir to the British throne. The pair married in 1981 in a ceremony watched by millions around the world, but divorced in 1996 after admissions of adultery on both sides.
William said the concert was a chance for people to “remember all the good things about her because she’s not here to defend herself when she gets criticized.”
Tickets for the concert cost $90 with proceeds going to causes Diana supported.
A memorial service is also planned in London on Aug. 31, the anniversary of Diana’s death.
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed
Stars pay tribute to Princess Diana
Sun Jul 1, 2007 1:20 PM EDT
By Paul Majendie and Mike Collett-White
LONDON (Reuters) – An international lineup of pop stars paid tribute to Princess Diana on Sunday at a memorial concert watched by her sons Princes William and Harry and a crowd of 60,000 at London’s Wembley Stadium.
Elton John, a good friend of the princess who sang at her funeral, kicked off the show with a rendition of “Your Song” in front of giant black and white photographs of Diana beamed on to the stage backdrop.
He was followed by veterans Duran Duran, younger acts The Feeling, Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, Lily Allen and rapper Pharrell Williams and The English National Ballet, a favorite of Diana’s.
The princes organized the event to mark the 10th anniversary of their mother’s death and to celebrate her humanitarian work, which they felt had been forgotten amid negative press.
“After 10 years there’s been a rumbling of people bringing up the bad and over time people seem to forget or have forgotten all the amazing things she did,” William said before the gig, the proceeds of which go to charity.
Fans at the newly refurbished Wembley stadium agreed.
“I camped out in London for her funeral, so I really wanted to be here today. She was a caring person who always thought of others,” said Julie Rocks.
Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland called Diana a “great icon of giving,” while the princes praised their mother on what would have been her 46th birthday.
“This evening is about all that our mother loved in life — her music, her dance, her charities and her family and friends,” William, 25, said, to a standing ovation.
Harry, 22, paid tribute to his fellow soldiers serving in Iraq. The third in line to the throne had been due to be deployed in Basra this year, but military commanders decided against sending him there, deeming it too dangerous.
“I wish I was there with you. I’m sorry I can’t be … stay safe,” he said.
SECURITY TIGHT
Security at the concert was heightened after two car bombs were found on Friday in central London and two suspects rammed a petrol-filled four-wheel-drive vehicle into Glasgow airport on Saturday in what police called a terrorist attack.
The six-hour show was broadcast to 145 countries and an estimated audience of 500 million people.
Diana’s death in a Paris car crash provoked an unprecedented outpouring of grief from the normally reserved British and some commentators feared the concert could strike a mawkish note.
“There might even be a danger of the whole event descending into a cringingly sentimental affair,” The Daily Telegraph said of preparations for the music and dance extravaganza.
The event also faced competition in a packed pop calendar with fans still scraping mud off after the rain-sodden Glastonbury Festival and Al Gore staging “Live Earth” concerts on July 7 around the world to highlight the climate crisis.
William’s ex-girlfriend Kate Middleton was in the audience, amid speculation in the British media that the couple, who split up in March, might have rekindled their relationship.
Harry was joined by his girlfriend Chelsy Davy, and also in the crowd was Diana’s brother Charles Spencer, who gave the oration at her funeral which included a bitter tirade against the media who followed her every move.
© Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved.
A birthday concert fit for the People’s Princess
By Shaun Archer and Jordana Camerman
Diana’s life commemorated in July 1st mega-celebration
In addition to marking Canada’s 140th birthday, this first of July would also have been Diana, Princess of Wales’ 46th birthday. Since her death 10 years ago, Diana’s legacy of charity and kindness has continued to live on, and her sons, William and Harry, are ensuring that it will continue to do so.
In celebration of their mother’s life, the princes have organized a massive memorial concert on Diana’s birthday. The Concert for Diana will take place at London’s new Wembley Stadium, and will be broadcast live around the world.
Princes William and Harry have played an active role is planning the festivities. “We want it to represent exactly what our mother would have wanted; how she was and all that sort of thing,” Prince William has said. “We wanted to have this big concert with, you know, full of energy, full of the sort of fun and happiness which I know she would have wanted. And on her birthday as well, it’s got to be the best birthday present she ever had. And with it we can, by, the two of us organizing it…we wanted to have the fact that the evening is all about our mother. The main purpose is to celebrate and to have fun and to remember her in a fun way.”
The princes have lined up an amazing roster of internationally-known performers for the event, including Elton John, Joss Stone, Rod Stewart, Lily Allen, Duran Duran, Nelly Furtado, Brian Ferry, Tom Jones, Fergie, Kanye West, Josh Groban, and many more. [Scroll down for a complete list of performers.] The lineup reflects both the music that Diana loved, as well as some of her sons’ contemporary favourites.
Said William, “The idea is we wanted to get artists that our mother really loved, and then artists that both Harry and I enjoy, and in the middle with the [English National] ballet and Andrew Lloyd Webber – obviously she loved her dancing and her musicals. So with that you’ve got a sort of something different, it’s not just any old concert.”
While the concert is principally intended to be a celebration of Diana’s life, it also gives the princes an opportunity to perpetuate Diana’s devotion to helping those in need. Proceeds from the concert will be donated to various charities of which Diana and the Princes are Patrons. Diana’s charities include The National AIDS Trust, The Royal Marsden Hospital, The Leprosy Mission, Great Ormond Street Hospital and the English National Ballet.
In addition to the concert, William and Harry have organized a more solemn memorial for their mother. A church service will be held on August 31, the day she died, which both Diana’s and Charles’ families will attend. Price Harry says the service will be “very simple and nice,” and will include Diana’s favourite hymns, “all the good ones.”
Any mother would surely be proud of all the work and devotion the princes have put into the cause. The concert will air, in Canada, on CTV, and is sure to be a fitting tribute to a beloved cultural icon. As William has said, “We both want to make sure, first and foremost, [that] the evening is for her. It’s to remember her and to commemorate her life and celebrate it.”
Concert for Diana, Sunday, July 1, 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT, CTV
Elton John
Here’s a list of the performers scheduled to appear during the Concert for Diana
Duran Duran
Fergie
Rod Stewart
Published: Thursday, June 28, 2007
