1 DECEMBER 2007, ELLIS PARK STADIUM, JOHANNESBURG
One of the most successful and enduring alternative rock bands of the past two decades, LIVE, have just announced they have answered former President Nelson Mandela’s 46664 HIV AIDS campaign call and will board the 46664 Johannesburg concert at Ellis Park next month.
The last minute addition to the World AIDS Day concert on December 1 was confirmed by band lead singer/guitarist Ed Kowalczyk today. The band will interrupt their current schedule of US tour dates especially to appear alongside the twenty-two other international and South African artists already lined up for the show. LIVE’s addition to the bill will be a much welcomed return to South Africa for the band which during the 1990’s and 2000’s has sold over 20 million CDs worldwide. The band’s last two shows on South African soil when they played to more than 40,000 fans sold out in a matter of days.
Confirming the band’s participation, LIVE front man Ed Kowalczyk said: "Nelson Mandela is one of the most inspiring and uplifting figures of our age. His tireless efforts to bring freedom and healing to the people of Africa transcend the boundaries of country and creed and speak directly to the heart of all humanity. LIVE is tremendously honoured to be part of this year's ‘46664’ concert."
As announced by Mr. Mandela on Monday of this week, fifteen of South Africa’s biggest artists have already come forward to join the concert alongside world artists Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox, Corinne Bailey Rae, Razorlight, Ludacris, Goo Goo Dolls, Jamelia and Angelique Kidjo.
Says 46664 International Director, Tim Massey: "This is the excitement of the 46664 concerts – right until the last moment you can never be sure who next will offer themselves to appear."
More than forty of South Africa’s biggest artists and musicians will join Nelson Mandela’s call today, Monday October 29, when the former president makes a public appearance at Ellis Park Stadium Johannesburg, SA, for a further announcement of the performance line up for the forthcoming 46664 World Aids Day concert to be hosted at Ellis Park on December 1.
The concert is the fifth 46664 event staged at points across the world since the founding in 2002 of the HIV AIDS charity which carries Nelson Mandela’s prison number and has been made possible through the support of Joburg City.
An announcement earlier this month brought news of global support for the event from a host of international artists including Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox, Corinne Bailey Rae, Razorlight, Ludacris, Goo Goo Dolls and Jamelia.
Monday’s event confirms additional appearances by a further fifteen acts drawn from the biggest names in South African music, as well as a return by World artist Angelique Kidjo, who made a well-remembered appearance at the first 46664 concert back in 2003 and has since taken on the role of an international ambassador to the charity.
Says Angelique: "I visited Robben Island just before the first 46664 concert and I understood that Nelson Mandela could not have spent all these years standing up for his continent just to let it be hurt by a disease that can be prevented and cured if there is a strong political will. That’s the message we will be sending this time: we will not forget about this until change is made!"
The South African bands and artists being announced between them account for millions of record sales each year and in their diversity reach out across the entire mixed population of the country.
"The 46664 message is one that needs to be heard in every corner of our country, and indeed, the world. These artists between them reach into every one of our communities – upholding Mr. Mandela’s message that HIV AIDS is not a local issue, but a universal one", said a spokesman for 46664.
The artists range from such seasoned South African performers as Johnny Clegg, the Soweto Gospel Choir, Just Jinjer and rocker Arno Carstens to hot new acts such as rock bands The Parlotones and Cassette, and R & B female trio Jamali.
As well as performing their own sets, some of the artists are expected to be seen in collaborations with visiting artists.
The 46664 Joburg South African artists are:
Arno Carstens
Cassette
Danny K
Goldfish
Jamali
Johnny Clegg
Jozi
Just Jinjer
Louise Carver
Loyiso
Malaika
The Parlotones
Prime Circle
The Soweto Gospel Choir
Vusi Mahlasela
Speaking of their involvement with the 46664 Joburg concert for Nelson Mandela, the artists said:
ARNO CARSTENS
CASSETTE:
DANNY K:
GOLDFISH
JAMALI:
JOHNNY CLEGG:
JOZI:
JUST JINJER:
LOUISE CARVER:
LOYISO:
MALAIKA:
THE PARLOTONES:
PRIME CIRCLE:
THE SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR:
VUSI MAHLASELA:
Tickets for the concert are priced from R120-00 (excluding service fee) and are available from Computicket. Call on 083 915 800 or visit website at
Background Information:
"HIV AIDS is everyone’s problem, and it is a GREAT HONOUR to use our music in the fight against it with Mr Nelson Mandela who has changed the future of South Africa." "We feel honoured to be part of a huge event to create sustained awareness around probably the biggest pandemic facing Africa. The great thing is we get to show our support by doing what we love and that’s playing music, and obviously the possibility of meeting one of the most important men in world history is overwhelming." - Kahn Morbee (lead singer). "We feel very privileged to be associated with one of the most powerful individuals in the world, Mr Nelson Mandela, and honoured to be part of the great cause in raising money for the 46664 charity." "In all my success and accomplishments in my career over the years, this is without a doubt the greatest honour that I could receive. To be a part of such a prestigious event alongside the world’s most inspirational man, Nelson Mandela, pushes the boundaries of personal accomplishment and is something that I will treasure for the rest of my life!" "It is an absolute honour to have been chosen to perform at the most important fund raising event of the year. To be able to share the stage with such brilliant performers whilst contributing positively to such a hands-on charity will be a major career highlight for me.""One of the greatest achievements we've had as a band is to have the honour of being associated with such a great man for so long. We feel privileged once again to extend our message of 'peace and love' towards this most important cause." Art Matthews – (lead singer)"It is always an honour playing for a cause that helps heal the continent in any positive way. Viva 46664 viva." "It is a great privilege to be invited to the 5th international 46664 concert against HIV AIDS. Former President Nelson Mandela is the first Senior South African politician who very early on took a clear and unequivocal stand regarding HIV AIDS in SA and globally. This concert for me shows a strong sense of continuity and commitment and it’s an honour to be one of the many musicians invited to support this initiative. This comes in a context where AIDS denialism and tardiness has become a depressing feature of our landscape from time to time. "We are honoured to be affiliated with a cause initiated by the greatest man alive, Mr Nelson Mandela": "We are extremely excited and truly honoured to be part of this event, a great charity and such a great cause for such a great man. Also, to be playing alongside this amazing array of artists is such a wonderful experience for us. Mr Mandela is such a huge inspiration and globally positive force, and we are so proud to be associated with him and his event bringing musicians from all over the world to unite the rest of the world for this cause.""I will be participating in my third 46664 concert, a cause that is very close to me, and I feel privileged to be assisting Madiba. As South Africans we have a responsibility to continue to spread the message about HIV AIDS until it is eradicated from the world.": "We are extremely proud to participate in Mr Mandela’s global Aids awareness campaign, thank you for including us on the lineup." "It is not only the greatest honour an artist could ever receive to play at the request of Nelson Mandela, but possibly an even greater honour that our efforts will contribute towards one of the most important initiatives of our time. In his endeavour to eliminate AIDS as a major threat to the lives of millions of human beings, we implore the people of South Africa to come out in support of Mr. Nelson Mandela's 46664 concert 2007.""Soweto Gospel Choir is truly excited to be performing at this year’s 46664 concert as Ambassadors for Mr Mandela. The choir’s first appearance in 2003 was one of their most memorable experiences in their five year career, and they feel that this concert will be even more special. They have long been associated with AIDS awareness campaigns, helping where and when they can, to support those affected and infected by this overwhelming pandemic. To be called upon to support this campaign is an honour and a duty the choir takes passionately in the hope that they can contribute to this worthy cause." "It is indeed a great honour to be involved as an ambassador for Tata Madiba’s 46664 campaign. I am also thrilled to be asked to perform at the Joburg show in December. As a young and fragile democracy we still have many pressing social issues, and if I can do anything to raise further awareness around the HIV AIDS one, I am always willing to lend my voice. Remember it’s in our hands, so make yours work and go get a ticket to the show!" www.computicket.com for more information.
46664
It's in our hands
Visit www.46664.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION/Concert Accreditation:
South Africa:
REAL CONCERTS:
Kim Mari
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 4823550
E:
46664 Campaign:
Chantal Cuddumbey
46664 Communications & PR Manager
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 853 2601
E:
International:
Shimon Cohen
The PR Office
Tel: +44 20 7383 3623
Fax: +44 20 7383 5595
Mob:+44 0 7836 728790
E: scohen@theproffice.com
Phil Symes
The PR Contact
Tel: + 55 21 93 61 11 97
E:
United States:
news@33productions.com
Christine Hansen
46664 US Executive Talent Producer
Thirty-Three Productions, Inc.
Tel: +1 818 761 9333
Media: +1 818 761 9338
E:
E:
christine@33productions.comchantal@46664.org.zaphilsymes@theprcontact.comkim@realsa.co.za
46664 was the prison number of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island, Cape Town where he was held in captivity for 18 years. He was the 466th prisoner to be incarcerated on the island in 1964. In 2002 Mr Mandela gave his prison number 46664 to Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, who along with fellow artists Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, was instrumental in persuading over 30 of the world’s great artists to join Nelson Mandela at an all-star concert in Cape Town in November 2003 in aid of 46664. Through radio and television coverage, the concert delivered the 46664 message to more than 2 billion people in 166 countries, the most widely distributed media event in history. Similar events have since been staged in George, South Africa, Madrid, Spain, and Tromsø, Norway.
Under the guidance of Nelson Mandela, 46664 is a campaign vehicle of the Nelson Mandela charitable organisations. 46664’s aim is to raise awareness of the global HIV AIDS pandemic, as well as funds to support the ongoing 46664 campaign and the HIV AIDS projects it directly supports throughout sub-Saharan Africa. 46664’s project funds develop and support practical programmes for the prevention, testing, care and support for those infected and affected by HIV AIDS in Africa.
46664 recently unveiled its 2007/2008 campaign which will build on its past achievements and expand its outreach activities to communities and schools to engage the youth most affected by HIV AIDS.
The not-for-profit organisation harnesses the universal connecting power of music, sport and entertainment to deliver its messages primarily to children and young adults. The campaign is driven by well recognised figures in these fields thereby capturing the attention of youth world-wide.
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