Some of the biggest names in British popular music banded together last night into a supergroup for the finale of a charity concert to raise funds for the volcano-stricken Caribbean island of Montserrat.
Sir Paul McCartney, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Sting and Phil Collins had all perfromed solo sets before joining forces to sing the Beatles' anthem Hey Jude at the end of the Music for Montserrat concert.
Earlier Sir Paul had begun his set with his classic Yesterday, followed by Golden Slumbers - The End, from the Abbey Road album, with Collins on drums and Knopfler and Clapton joining him on guitar.
The event at the Royal Albert Hall was the brainchild of legendary record producer Sir George Martin who took to the stage as master of ceremonies and hopes to have raised up to1 million pounds.
Before the rousing finale, Sir George - known as the "fifth Beatle" for his work on the Fab Four's recordings - said the audience had been "wonderful" and, using a famous Beatles lyric, added: "We'd love to take you home with us."
The line comes from Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts' Club Band, from the album of the same name which he produced.
Sir Paul told the 5,000-strong audience that he last appeared at the Albert Hall with the Beatles at a printers' charity concert in 1963.
"Last time I was here was 34 years ago to the day ... I didn't plan it that way," he joked.
"It is fabulous that the world's attention can be targeted on Montserrat because it is a beautiful island. Thank you for coming," he added.
One of the most poignant moments of the night came when Elton John took the stage.
His performance was cheered to the echo, although he stuck by his word and did not sing Candle in the Wind 1997, his tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales.
Other performers taking part included Midge Ure and veteran rock and roller Carl Perkins, while among the audience was the Duke of York, golfer Nick Faldo, former James Bond star Timothy Dalton and businessman Richard Branson.
Tickets for the event sold out within 90 minutes and profits go towards Montserrat where many of the artists taking part had recorded albums at the island's famous recording studios.
"Thousands have lost everything, their homes and livelihoods, and some have lost their lives," Sir George said in the programme.
"It seems the world judges Montserrat to be finished but many Monserratians believe otherwise and hope that a new future can be built in the northern part of the country.
"We are sending everyone a message. We are giving our sympathy, encouragement and our spirit to a brave little island."
Sir Paul told the audience: "This concert is just a gesture to show the people of Montserrat that somebody is thinking of them."
Sky TV is showing the concert several times on Sky Box Office from tonight, making it Britain's first pay-per-view concert.
Sky said there would be eight showings of the two-hour spectacular, at 8pm and 11pm daily until Friday. The one-off fee was 4.95 pounds (6.95 pounds if purchased after midnight).
The concert was held September 15 1997.