Josh Groban To Honor Nelson Mandela

(CBS)  By Melissa Castellanos

Classically influenced pop singer-songwriter Josh Groban has sold out arenas all around the world, but singing at a birthday celebration for one man - Nelson Mandela - may well be the highlight of his very successful career.

"Meeting him was one of the greatest honors of my life," Groban said. "I mean I don't get star-struck, but being in the presence of such a great human being was very humbling," Groban told CBSNews.com of his first encounter with the Nobel Peace Prize-winning former South African president.

"I am so thrilled that I am going to London to perform for his 90th birthday," he said.

The Grammy nominated singer-songwriter has been added to the Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Concert hosted by Will Smith and being held Friday, June 27, in London's Hyde Park.

---

Photos: Grammy Highlights

---

The 27-year-old singer will join legendary folk-rock singer Joan Baez and Jerry Dammers (an Artists Against Apartheid organizer) whose song "Free Nelson Mandela" ignited the 80's anti-apartheid movement in the U.K., Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis, U2, Queen + Paul Rodgers, Annie Lennox, Simple Minds, Sir Paul McCartney, The Spice Girls, Sugababes, Dame Shirley Bassey, Keane and Razorlight.

The impressive lineup will also include an array of Africa's most praised artists, including Johnny Clegg, Soweto Gospel Choir and Papa Wemba.

Other prominent figures that are expected to be in attendance are British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, former U.S. President Bill Clinton and U.S. talk show host Oprah Winfrey.

---

Photos: Nelson Mandela

---

The concert marks the 20 years since London publicly urged Mandela's release from jail with Mandela's 70th Birthday Concert in 1988.

Groban first met Mandela when he was performing at a concert in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was instantly impressed with not only the sheer presence of Mandela, but his selflessly dedicating his entire life to helping his people.

Mandela appointed Groban an official ambassador for Mandela's Project 46664, a campaign to help raise global awareness of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Project 46664 is a reference to Mandela's prison number when he was jailed by South Africa's apartheid authorities.

"I was very honored to be invited to meet him. I was Johannesburg for a concert," Groban said. "I told him (Mandela) that I would be at his beck and call for anything he needed, as far as spreading the word for his amazing organization. So, I have been proud to be his ambassador for his 46664 foundation. We have done a lot of work and raised a lot of money for his foundation and my foundation."

Inspired by Mandela's resonating desire to help others, Groban established the Josh Groban Foundation in 2004 that helps children in need throughout the world with education, healthcare, and the arts.

With the help of Groban's generous fans (also known as "Grobanites") over a $1 million has been raised for the Josh Groban Foundation. He has also performed for VH1 Save the Music, Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope, and Live 8.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page »

[brianbwb-2009]

The sweetest part is that Mandela outlived his jailers.