UNITED KINGDOM: CELEBRITIES AND SPORTS STARS ATTEND FINAL CHARITY CONCERT FOR NSPCC AT WEMBLELY STADIUM BEFORE IT'S DEMOLITION

Record ID: 390357

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: CELEBRITIES AND SPORTS STARS ATTEND FINAL CHARITY CONCERT FOR NSPCC AT WEMBLELY STADIUM BEFORE IT'S DEMOLITION
  • Date: 2nd November 2000
  • Summary: LONDON, UK (NOVEMBER 02, 2000) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) VARIOUS SHOTS EXTERIOR WEMBLEY STADIUM AT NIGHT
  • Embargoed: 17th November 2000 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: WEMBLEY, ENGLAND
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Environment,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA4KLVJ6ALNKYO8O7H4CSZSA1R9
  • Story Text: Pop legend Sir Elton John was joined by sporting greats for a spectacular charity ball at Wembley Stadium - the last ever event to take place on the hallowed pitch at Wembley Stadium.
    It was the last ever event at England's famous Wembley stadium, and a fitting tribute to the many star footballers, rugby players... and pop stars who've played at the venue, that Sir Elton John hosted a dazzling night to raise money for the charity NSPCC.
    2,000 guests from the world of sport and showbusiness attended the farewell ball at Wembley, which ended with an hour-long stage show headlined by Sir Elton. Archive film of star Wembley moments was flashed up on a big screen, including Sir Elton in his many different costumes on the famous stage.
    None of which are prepared: "I just do them on the spur of the moment - I don't know what one I'm going to do. I know I'll start off with 'Your Song' and from that point onwards I don't really know."
    After his recent performances in New York, many of the audience were worried this was the last they'd get to see Sir Elton performing - a particularly technically problematic gig led him to dramatically announce his retirement! But only for a day...
    "Of course the next night I came out and said 'Well you know, all mouth and no trousers - or I said 'full of shit actually'. The next night was perfect .It was just one of those nights, you want it to go so well, and you have so many problems, and you think I've got one night to get it right so- I am not retiring!"
    Other star musical guests who performed included Leslie Garrett, who sang at the last Wembley Cup Final, Chris de Burgh and Jools Holland.
    The night ended with one of the greatest footballers ever to have played at Wembley taking the very last kick at the Stadium before it is demolished.
    Sir Elton says there's still total confusion over what exactly will be built in its place: 'Is there a new plan for Wembley stadium yet? Is it set in stone what its going to be? Is there going to be an athletics track? We can never seem to get anything right in this country. I mean Sydney builds this wonderful stadium for the Olympic - they get it right - and we're still arguing about what the stadium should look like and what it's going to be. I hope so - it's going to be the home of the international football team and hopefully other sporting events."
    Whatever the new stadium looks like, the old one went out with a bang.
    ---ENDS---
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