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Michael gig for Sir Elton Aids fund

George Michael will show he has put his feud with Sir Elton John behind him when he performs a special gig to raise money for the singer's Aids Foundation.

While the two pop stars were close in the 1980s and duetted on the 1991 hit Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, their friendship reportedly broke down as Michael's well-publicised drug problems grew.

Sir Elton's attempts to help were rebuffed, with George telling him to "shut his mouth" and stop interfering.

The pair will put any acrimony behind them when Michael takes to the stage of the Royal Opera House in London, accompanied by a symphony orchestra.

The concert forms part of his 47-date Symphonica tour of Europe, which has already brought drama with his admission to fans at a sell-out Prague concert in August that he and long-term partner Kenny Goss had split up.

All proceeds raised from the black tie charity event will go to the Elizabeth Taylor Memorial Fund recently created by the foundation.

Announcing the gig, George said in June: "I have seen how HIV can affect people's lives, how it can destroy families and communities. "The way that the Elton John Aids Foundation gets help to the people around the world who need it most - often the most marginalised communities - really spurred me on to do something."

Sir Elton praised the planned concert as an "incredible and generous gesture" and said Michael was making a "fantastic gift" to people affected by HIV.

Hollywood star Taylor, who died this year, was also a prominent campaigner against the disease and founded the American Foundation for Aids Research following the death of her close friend Rock Hudson in 1985.

Tickets for the gig started at £25, with the most expensive seats costing £250. Sir Elton's Aids Foundation has raised more than £80 million since its launch in 1992.

Source: music.uk.msn.com
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