Like millions of others, yesterday I watched on tv, the open air concert, held outside Buckingham Palace in London in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and 60 years on the throne. It had been organised as a joint venture between the BBC and 'Take That' singer songwriter, Gary Barlow, who spent 2 years planning the event. 10,000 ticket holders watched in front of the Palace and another 250,000 on big screens down Pall Mall and in Hyde Park. During the course of the day they were entertained by 4 old knights who belted out their songs from yesteryear and for any old men watching it was a feast of nostalgia. The Queen herself, with earplugs in place, joined the Concert towards the end at 9.00 pm and so, apart from Sir Paul, missed the offerings of the other old singers.
Sir Cliff, who will be 72 in October, used his six minute slot on stage to sing a hit from each of the six decades of the Queen's reign, ending the set with his Eurovision hit, 'Congratulations', which got the entire 18,000 strong crowd on their feet. Explaining his choice, he said: "I wrote this song in 1968, but I’m sure it was meant to be performed tonight."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_dcF_3qKtQ
Sir Tom, who will be 72 on Tuesday, also proved popular with the concertgoers, including the royals as Duchess Catherine and Princes William and Harry were spotted singing along to 'Delilah' while 'Mama Told Me Not To Come' was also a crowd pleaser.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gXEnYrPrMI
The next old knight, Sir Elton, was a junior at 65. In fine voice despite being hospitalized by a respiratory infection last week, wearing a sparkling, shocking pink jacket, he paid tribute to the Queen's "incredible achievement" while conducting sing-along versions of 'I'm Still Standing,' 'Your Song' and 'Crocodile Rock.' He also made full use of the historic backdrop, transforming the Palace with neon pink and yellow projections.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxHBb4rB8DU
Sir Paul will be 70 in two weeks and topped the bill, blasting out the Beatles' 'Magical Mystery Tour,' 'All My Loving' and 'Let It Be,' followed by versions of Wings' 'Live and Let Die' featuring pyrotechnics and projections onto the façade of the palace itself. After a quip that concertgoers should leave "in an orderly fashion" or Her Majesty would "unleash the Corgis," the rest of the night's performers joined him on stage for a final rendition of the Beatles' 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ7Pg9dFqjY
For me, the only moving part of the Concert came at the end when Gary Barlow and another old knight, 64 year old Andrew Llyod Webber performed, with the 'Commonwealth Choir', the song 'Sing' which they wrote together. It brought and still bings a tear to my eye.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I3EIa1CgDs&feature=relmfu
Finally, at the end of the evening the 63 year old Prince of Wales, on stage with the four old singers, paid tribute to his 86 year old Mother and injected a bit of humour by calling her "Mummy" and said : "As a nation this is our opportunity to thank you and my Father for always being there for us. For inspiring us with your selfless duty and service and for making us proud to be British."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-JXMKfy-kY
Collective age and wisdom of four old knights, one old prince and one old queen : 428 years and if we throw in Andrew for good measure that makes : 492 years.
Some words they can’t be spoken only sung,
So hear a thousand voices shouting love.
There’s a place, there’s a time
In this life when you sing what you are feeling.
Find your feet, stand your ground,
Don’t you see,
Right now the world is listening to what we say.
Sing it louder, sing it clearer,
Knowing everyone will hear you.
Make some noise, find your voice tonight.
Sing it stronger, sing together,
Make this moment last forever
Old and young,
shouting love tonigh.t
To sing we’ve had a lifetime to wait
And see a thousand faces celebrate.
You brought hope, you brought light,
Conquered fear, it wasn’t always easy.
Stood your ground, kept your faith,
Don’t you see,
Right now the world is listening to what we say.
Sing it louder, sing it clearer,
Knowing everyone will hear you.
Make some noise, find your voice tonight.
Sing it stronger, sing together,
Make this moment last forever.
Old and young,
Shouting love tonight.
Some words they can’t be spoken only sung,
To hear a thousand voices shouting love
and light and hope.
Just sing.
Just sing.
Just sing.
Just sing.
Come all and sing.
Sing it louder, sing it clearer,
Knowing everyone will hear you.
Make some noise, find your voice tonight.
Sing it stronger, sing together,
Make this moment last forever.
Old and young,Shouting love tonight.
Hear a thousand voices shouting love.
P.S.
'Madness' on the roof of the Palace singing 'Our House'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Ka17LIIfU
Wondeful.
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