Organisers fear the giant London concert to mark the 10th anniversary of
Diana, Princess of Wales's death will be usurped by the Live Earth gig a week
later, a newspaper said Sunday.
News of the World reported that her sons
Princes William and Harry were "desperately trying to rescue" the July 1 concert
they are heading up at the new, 90,000-seater Wembley Stadium, fearing it will
be blown out of the water.
 A permanent memorial to Diana,
Princess of Wales and Dodi al-Fayed is pictured in the Harrods store in
London. Organisers fear the giant London concert to mark the 10th
anniversary of Diana's death will be usurped by the Live Earth gig a week
later, a newspaper said Sunday.[AFP]  |
The Live Earth gig at Wembley on July 7
-- one of at least seven such mammoth concerts across the globe aimed at
highlighting climate change issues -- will feature Madonna, the Red Hot Chili
Peppers, Genesis, Duran Duran, the Foo Fighters, the Black Eyed Peas and Bloc
Party among others.
News of the World said alarm bells rang for the princes when the memorial
concert organisers were forced to sign up 1980s Australian pop heart-throb Jason
Donovan and American 1970s entertainer Donny Osmond.
"There is no doubt the Diana concert needs further big names," an insider
told the newspaper.
"There is very little appeal to young people. With the exception of Elton,
the acts aren't nearly as strong as Live Earth.
"Live Earth knocks it for six with virtually every cutting-edge, big-selling
band in the world."
At the charity "Concert for Diana" on what would have been her 46th birthday,
Sir Elton John, who performed at her funeral, will play, as will her favourite
band Duran Duran.
Bryan Ferry and Joss Stone and US rapper Pharrell Williams will appear, while
composer Andrew Lloyd Webber will stage a medley of songs from his musicals and
the English National Ballet will perform.
Lloyd Webber is trying to recruit a big US star, News of the World said.
"The princes want the concert to be as much about modern-day trends as
Diana's favourite songs and performers," the tabloid quoted him as saying.
"I have pledged to make sure that vision is achieved."