Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute

The Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute Concert was a solidarity concert for the South African politician Nelson Mandela. It was on the occasion of Mandela's 70th birthday on June 11, 1988 held at Wembley Stadium in London.

The initiator of the concert was Jerry Dammers The Specials singer, who had repeatedly called for the release of Mandela and also had the Freedom Beat Festival organized two years earlier.

At the concert was attended by 72,000 visitors and it was broadcast in 60 countries. Some artists such as Tracy Chapman could imagine the first time a large audience. The cast included not only well-known musicians from the UK and the USA performers from South Africa and other parts of Africa.

Background

Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for his opposition to apartheid in South Africa in June 1964. The concert was part of a worldwide campaign of solidarity with Mandela. On February 11, 1990, 20 months later, Mandela was released from prison.

Others

Mandela's 70th birthday took place on July 18, 1988, approximately five weeks after the concert.

Contributors

Wembley Stadium (1923) Steven Van Zandt Aswad (band) Sly Dunbar Ashford & Simpson Fish (singer) The Fat Boys
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