Gibson to Present Nelson Mandela with Guitar

To celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday, Gibson Guitar will be presenting the world leader and icon with an icon of its own – a custom made Gibson Les Paul Studio.  The guitar will be presented as part of the Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Celebration concert at London’s Hyde Park on June 27.  The guitar itself will bear artwork of Mandela’s prison number – 46664 – as well as signatures of the performing artists.

Artists performing at the concert will include Amy Winehouse, Queen + Paul Rodgers, Annie Lennox, Simple Minds, Leona Lewis, Joan Baez, Sugababes, Dame Shirley Bassey, Razorlight as well as a dozen African artists including Johnny Clegg, Papa Wemba and the Soweto Gospel Choir. Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Robert De Niro, Forest Whitaker and Lewis Hamilton will also be in attendance.