Hip-hop and movie star Will Smith pleaded to for leaders of the G-8 summit to "end this daily tragedy" of African poverty. He led the global audience in snapping their fingers every three seconds, signifying the child death rate in Africa. Photo by WN
Some of the biggest names in popular music performed in concerts across the globe Saturday to raise awareness about the plight of the poor in Africa.
The Live 8 concert series was timed to draw the attention of leaders of the G8 - the world's wealthiest nations - who will be meeting in Scotland next week.
The former Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney, backed by the Irish rock band, U2, kicked off the London Live 8 concert Saturday with a rousing version of the Beatle's hit, Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The London concert was one of 10 concerts taking place Saturday.
Live 8 coordinator Bob Geldof urged 200,000 fans in London's Hyde Park to demand "No more excuses" from the G8.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan appeared on stage in London to thank those in attendance and the three billion people organizers said were watching on television and the Internet around the world.
"This is really the United Nations," he said. "The whole world has come together in solidarity with the poor. On behalf of the poor, the voiceless and the weak, I say, thank you."