Thursday, March 18, 1999 Published at 17:37 GMT


Entertainment

Stars unite for Linda

The McCartneys: Sir Paul is not sure if he can play at the show

George Michael, Elvis Costello and Tom Jones will lead a star-studded tribute to Linda McCartney at London's Royal Albert Hall next month.

Sinead O'Connor, Des'ree and M People singer Heather Small will also appear - but Sir Paul is not sure if he will be able to play at the show, organised by The Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde.

Although he has vowed to continue to campaign for vegetarianism in memory of Linda, he told fans last year: "If I can get it together I will appear, but I am not sure I can do it emotionally, to be honest."
 

Elvis Costello: Lined up to play at the Albert Hall

 
The show, on 10 April, is a few days from the first anniversary of Linda's death at the age of 56 from breast cancer.

Tickets for Here, There and Everywhere - A Concert For Linda go on sale on Friday and proceeds will go to her favourite animal charities.

Hynde said: "This is the show that Linda, myself and our friends talked about often.

"It was Carla Lane who suggested we finally do it now, for Linda. We hope this show will reflect something of Linda's personality and her upbeat sense of humour."

Other acts to appear will include soul singer Lynden David Hall, Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, Neil Finn, Marianne Faithfull and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Compered by Eddie Izzard, the show will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on 17 April and televised the following day on BBC One.