Irish rockers U2 took a moment during their ongoing 360 degree world tour to pay homage to former South African president and Nobel peace prizewinner Nelson Mandela on the occasion of his 93rd birthday, reports Gibson.
The band was performing in Philadelphia last Thursday (July 14) when they took a break from their own tunes in order to lead the crowd in an a cappella version of Happy Birthday for the anti-apartheid activist who had spent 27 birthdays in prison from 1962 to 1989.
Yesterday (July 18), on his actual birthday, Mandela watched a video of the performance during a party in his honor at the Four Seasons in New York City.
The event was hosted by actor Morgan Freeman who had portrayed the former President in the movie Invictus (2009). Other guests in attendance included Brian Williams, Billie Jean King, Charlie Rose and Star Jones.
U2, meanwhile, continue with their world tour, which has now surpassed the Rolling Stones’ A Bigger Bang tour to become the most successful concert series in history. By the time the Irish band wraps up in New Brunswick on July 30, experts estimate they will have grossed over $700 million in ticket sales.