Live 8: Greatest show on earth: It's our time to stand up for what

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Jul 3, 2005 | by EUAN STRETCH Chief Reporter

EMOTIONAL Bono yesterday pleaded with the heads of the wealthy G8 nations to bring an end to death by disease in Africa.

The U2 singer, speaking in the opening minutes of Live 8, declared: "Eight of the most powerful men on earth are meeting on a golf course in Scotland. There's a lot at stake.

"We have a message for them. This is your moment to make history by making poverty history."

In front of 205,000 people in London's Hyde Park and an estimated two billion TV audience, Bono said: "So this is our moment. This is our time. This is our chance. To stand up for what's right.

"We are not looking for charity we're looking for justice.

"We can't fix every problem but the ones we can we must. Three thousand Africans, mostly children, die every day of a mosquito bite. We can fix that.

"Nine thousand people die every day from preventable, treatable diseases like AIDS. We've got the drugs, we can help them. We've got the drugs.

"Dirty water, death by dirty water. Well we can dig wells. If you want to join us get out on the streets of Edinburgh and anywhere else. Text us, call us. There's phones. They're dangerous little devices."

Bono's emotional words came after U2 kicked off London's seven hour Live 8 musical extravaganza with music legend Paul McCartney.

Bono and U2 then performed their own classics Beautiful Day, Vertigo and One, finishing with a segue into The Righteous Brothers' Unchained Melody.

Earlier Bono said: "People really have to get out on the streets and I promise you, I know they (G8 leaders) are nervous and they want to do the right thing.

"We have to gang up on them. They are not the enemy here."

Top British bland Coldplay followed.

Watched by film star wife Gwyneth Paltrow and their daughter Apple, singer Chris Martin said: "Thanks for coming to support the greatest thing that's ever been organised probably in the history of the world. Can we take this opportunity on behalf of all the bands and all of you people to say to Bob Geldof that he is a hero of our times.

"People who are cynical are pretty stupid because this is important. But thanks a lot Mr Bob Geldof, or Sir Bob Geldof."

During In My Place, Chris also sang a brief snatch of Rockin' All Over The World - the Status Quo hit that opened Live Aid 20 years ago at Wembley.

Richard Ashcroft then joined them to sing his old band The Verve's big hit Bittersweet Symphony.