Nelson Mandela 90th Celebration Concert

Today was a concert to honor Nelson Mandela who shortly reaches his 90th birthday. It was held at London's Hyde Park. Plenty of acts there today, Razorlight, Will Smith, Quincy Jones, Jamelia, Amy Winehouse, Simple minds, Sugababes, Leona Lewis, Queen & Paul Rodgers plus many others. I was in the photo pit for this event. nearly all of the other photographers were stuck about 50 metres away on a podium. So, I need to get my cards with the photos on back to my techie, Niki who was backstage in a pressroom, working on a laptop. So, I had the runner of all runners, boy was she a really fast runner!! My trusty steed and wife, Lyn. Here she is relaxing on the edge of the photo pit (another one of her specialist subjects) . Actually she is giving me that knowing look, you know, "you are a wanker look" Nice eh!!

Queen and Paul Rodgers were fantastic. It's a shame that they only got to perform a few songs. The crowd loved them as well. They are off out ontour later this year, so, that will be briliant.

Amy was brilliant, as usual. She is , in my opinion one of the most talented musicians in the world. I know it's easy to say that now, but I have been saying that from day one. Well, not quite day one, but when I first heard her album "Frank". I met her a few times in 2003 and 2004 and did a few shoots with her then. I have been photographing her ever since. I just really hope she sorts herself out soon.

Copyright 2008 Danny Clifford