07-01-2005 – The Mirror – Robbie Mercury

He will sing Queen classic… Cosmonaut in live link up… He will intro the Rocket Man… Who, Floyd &Macca finale…

ROBBIE Williams will conjure up the spirit of Freddie Mercury at tomorrow’s Live 8 concert in Hyde Park by performing the classic Queen hit We Will Rock You.

Robbie had hoped to line up with the band at the greatest gig of all time, which will feature a satellite link-up to the International Space Station 250 miles above Earth.

But the band is pre-booked to perform in Portugal. So the 31-year-old star asked Queen veterans Brian May and Roger Taylor for permission to perform the Freddie favourite that wowed Live Aid at Wembley in 1985.

The rockers, who are sending a video message to 200,000 music fans at the Hyde Park date, were delighted.

A spokesman said: “Brian and Roger have given their blessing for Robbie’s tribute. Robbie really wanted to do it.” A source added: “Robbie was over the moon when they gave him their backing. He adores Queen while they think he’s a great showman. We Will Rock You will really get the crowd going.”

In the amazing space link-up Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev will be beamed around the world talking to host Jonathan Ross, cracking jokes and reading a speech by Love Actually creator Richard Curtis.

The speech will spell out the message that the world is watching Live 8 and Live 8 is watching world leaders as they gather for the Make Poverty History summit.

It is a personal triumph for gig organiser Bob Geldof who tried to link up with the Space Shuttle during Live Aid. His attempt failed because of technical problems.

An insider said: “This is a massive coup. We want to show people in cities around the world that we share the same planet.

“Bob was gutted when the Shuttle link didn’t work 20 years ago. He was determined to get it right this time. Going live from the gig to space will be without doubt one of the highlights of Live 8 and a spectacular moment in music history.”

Organisers plan to end off the link with Krikalev hailing the appearance of Elton John with the words “And now…my fellow rocket man”.

He may also poke fun at the Spice Girls who failed to reunite for the gig after Mel B refused. The insider said: “Sergei may well joke how glad he is that being in space nobody can hear them scream.”

Make Poverty History confirmed last night Krikalev would be appearing.

A spokesman said: “He’ll be pointing to different parts of the globe from space and saying stuff like ‘Look how small the world is from here, I can see all of you at once’.

“The essence is we’re all doing this for one reason – to stop poverty.”

The 150-tonne International Space Station is a symbol of global co-operation supported by 16 countries including the US Britain, Russia and Japan.

As Station Commander Krikalev, 46, is the most important man currently in space. The experienced cosmonaut was part of the first crew aboard the station in 2000.

The last four acts on stage at Hyde Park will be Mariah Carey, The Who, Pink Floyd, and finally Paul McCartney.

Macca – who will open the gig with U2 – will close the concert with a poignant version of The Long and Winding Road, echoing Bob Geldof’s Long Walk To Justice campaign for Make Poverty History.

The star tells the Mirror today: “It’s a moment that could change the world and here we are, taking a breath, before it happens. This is a great point to be at, just about to walk through the door. This could be the greatest gig of all our lives.”

Superstar Diana Ross is in last-minute talks to appear as a surprise guest. But organisers are struggling to fit her in on the bill because she is performing in Liverpool tomorrow night.

A spokesman for the 61-year-old star said: “Diana desperately wants to do it but the show starts at 2pm and she must be in Liverpool at 4pm. It might be a losing battle against the clock.”

Rapper Ms Dynamite, who is appearing at Live 8, yesterday backed the Daily Mirror’s Make Poverty History campaign.

As she signed the Mirror’s petition at the Westway studios in West London, she said: “Live 8 is so important in raising awareness about the plight of poor people.

“Everyone has the right to be healthy and have decent lives. It’s our duty in the West to help them achieve that. We have so much and should be doing more.” The star said she was nervous about the gig. But she was keeping secret her choice of songs.

England soccer manager Sven Goran Eriksson and partner Nancy Dell’Olio are taking time out of their luxury holiday to make sure they see Live 8.

The couple are on a break in Sweden. But Nancy said she will turn on the box to watch the historic concerts because she believes the campaign can be a success.

She said: “I give my total support to the campaign and am proud to be able to back Bob Geldof’s and Bono’s dream.”

More than 1,000 police officers will be on duty in the area around Hyde Park. Leave has been cancelled and hundreds of extra officers drafted in.

Officers will be concentrated on organising those coming in and out of the park and keeping the roads clear.

They will also be on hand should there be any trouble inside the venue where the crowd will be managed by stewards.