LONDON — The day began here with Paul McCartney and U2 joining forces, climaxed with the emotionally charged reunion of iconic '70s rock band Pink Floyd and wrapped with an all-star cast singing the Beatles' "Hey Jude."
And that was just on one of the 10 stages around the world that were part of Saturday's Live 8 concert extravaganza to raise awareness about poverty in Africa.
American rock band Green Day powered through Queen's "We Are the Champions" in Berlin, husband-wife country music stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill topped the bill in Rome, and in Canada, Neil Young delivered a tenacious rendition of his sardonic anthem "Rockin' in the Free World" in his first public performance since a brain aneurysm in March.
About 900,000 people turned out in nine countries for the free concerts, which were broadcast live on TV, radio and over the Internet in 140 countries to a potential audience estimated at more than 1 billion.
"This is our moment, this is our time," U2 singer Bono, one of the driving forces behind Live 8 and 1985's Live Aid, said in front of an estimated 200,000 people at London's Hyde Park. "This is our chance to stand up for what's right. We're not asking for charity. We're asking for justice."
Unlike the Live Aid concerts in London and Philadelphia two decades ago, at which fans were asked to open their hearts and their wallets to help famine victims in Africa, the thrust of Live 8 wasn't raising funds, but consciousness about the toll poverty is taking in Africa.
Musicians and celebrity speakers urged audiences to pressure President Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and leaders of other wealthy nations to take swift action when they meet for the annual Group of 8 summit Wednesday near Edinburgh, Scotland. About 220,000 people gathered there Saturday for a rally timed to coincide with the summit and the concerts.
Live 8 supporters want the G-8 to adopt a three-pronged program mirroring recommendations by Britain's Commission on Africa, of which Bob Geldof, organizer of Live 8 and Live Aid, is a member. It calls for canceling debts, increasing foreign aid and ending trade tariffs for impoverished African nations.
McCartney and U2, who sang the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" on Saturday, were joined in London by other Live Aid veterans, including the Who, Madonna, Elton John and Sting.
