London 2012: The Who to close Olympics after the Kate and Russ show

Pat Coughtrey , News Editor Tuesday, July 24, 2012
5:00 PM

Sixties rockers The Who will close the London Olympics amid a spectacular firework display, it’s revealed.

The ‘My Generation’ hit makers (what price they do ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’) will bring the three week sporting spectacular to an end at Stratford’s Olympic Park following a parade of the best of British music over six decades.

In a two-hour programme on August 12, musicians, comics, soldiers, ballerinas will celebrate great Britishness.

Stars will include Pet Shop Boys, Ex Kink Ray Davies, and Annie Lennox through to Madness, George Michael. The Clash, Take that Elbow and the promise of a sensational Jessie J duet with Queen.

On the way the audience will be served up doses of One Direction, Kaiser Chiefs, Clash Ed Sheeran, Fatboy Slim, and Liam Gallagher partnering Tinie Tempah.

Interspersed will be Jullian Lloyd Webber, the Coldstream Guards Eric Idle ad ‘Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life’ and funnyman Russell Brand with his versions of ‘I Am The Walrus’ and the Six Pistols’ ‘Pretty Vacant’.

Throw in stripping lollipop ladies and road workers, the athletes’ flag parade. Naomi Campbelll and Kate Moss and the Olympic Flag being extinguished and Games are over.

The theme is a celebration that music has been one of Britain’s strongest cultural exports over the last 50 years.

Organisers have worked with some of the country’s most globally successful musicians, along with some of the industry’s stars of tomorrow.

The global broadcast of the Ceremony will start at 9pm and feature more than 4,100 performers, including 3,500 adult volunteers and 380 schoolchildren from Newham and the other five east London Host Boroughs.

The 10,500 athletes who have competed in the Games will also be in the Stadium while there will be an expected worldwide television audience of around 750 million people.