Pop stars to mark Queen Elizabeth's anniversary

Associated Press

Paul McCartney, Elton John, Aretha Franklin and Eric Clapton will help Elizabeth II celebrate 50 years on the throne in a pair of open-air parties at Buckingham Palace in June.

The guest list will be long — the palace is inviting 12,000 Britons to each concert, which will include champagne picnics in Buckingham Palace's gardens, the palace announced .

Princes William and Harry are expected to attend the June 3 show, a centerpiece of the yearlong celebration of Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee. Organizers said they hoped to offer popular music to represent the 50 years since Elizabeth became queen.

An open-air classical music concert is scheduled at the palace June 1. The queen and Prince Philip plan to attend both performances, the palace said.

Performers at the pop show include Brian Wilson.

"The artists represent the greatest composers and performers of their generation and come not only from this country but our sister nations in the English-speaking world," creative director George Martin told reporters. "Thousands will relish the chance to see them perform together live on stage at Buckingham Palace."

The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Andrew Davis, will headline the classical show two days earlier on what Britain is celebrating as a four-day holiday weekend.

Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, soprano Kiri Te Kanawa and operatic duo Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu also are scheduled to perform, organizers said.

Large video screens will broadcast the concerts in nearby Green Park, and it will also be shown live by the British Broadcasting Corp.

Those hoping for an invitation to the palace can apply by phone and over the Internet. Free tickets will be given away in drawings held in every British county.

On the Web:
www.goldenjubilee.gov.uk/content/serve.pcgi/gj