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Elton John, Chris Martin and Ed Sheeran led the star-studded performances at Shane Warne‘s public memorial service at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
All three musicians appeared remotely, dedicating their moving performances to the late cricket legend.
Elton, 75, performed his hit, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me, ‘in memory of Shane’, who he described as ‘one of the greatest sportsmen ever’.
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Star-studded: Elton John (pictured) and Chris Martin led the star-studded performances at Shane Warne’s public memorial service at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday
‘One of the most amazing Australian cricketers of all time. It’s a sad day today but it’s not in some ways because his legacy lives on and he will live on through future generations,’ he said ahead of his performance.
Describing Shane as ‘mesmerising’ and ‘brilliant’, Elton said he ‘loved to play cricket and loved life’.
Addressing Shane’s children, he added: ‘I want to dedicate this song to Brooke, to Summer and Jackson, and to all the people that came out today. God bless you, Shane. God bless the family.’
Dedication: Elton, 75, performed his hit, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me, ‘in memory of Shane’, who he described as ‘one of the greatest sportsman ever’
RIP: Shane was found unresponsive in his villa in Koh Samui at around 5.15pm on Friday, March 4, and was later pronounced dead aged 52
Meanwhile, Chris, 45, performed an original piano piece, written especially for Shane, which he’d simply titled, ‘Eulogy’.
‘Time now for a moment of reflection on the remarkable life to remember the bloke we remember today,’ said MC Eddie McGuire as he introduced the Coldplay frontman.
‘And what you’re listening to is the sound of Chris Martin, the Coldplay superstar and music written for today.’
Taking inspiration: Chris Martin (pictured) performed an original piano piece, written especially for Shane, which he’d simply titled, ‘Eulogy’
‘I am sorry I cannot be there today. We were on tour in Central America and there are a lot of background noises but I feel like that may be OK with him,’ Chris said
Chris returned shortly afterwards to dedicate Coldplay’s hit, Yellow, to his late friend.
‘I am sorry I cannot be there today. We were on tour in Central America and there are a lot of background noises but I feel like that may be OK with him,’ he said.
‘I think chaos and Shane were good friends, and you may hear a rooster in the distance, which I am thinking of as him!’
Famous fan: Ed Sheeran (pictured) performed an acoustic version of Shane’s ‘favourite song of mine’, Thinking Out Loud
‘Shane was an incredible human to me and every single person that he came across, and I’ve got such wonderful stories of him,’ said Ed
Meanwhile, Ed, 31, performed an acoustic version of Shane’s ‘favourite song of mine’, Thinking Out Loud.
‘Shane was an incredible human to me and every single person that he came across, and I’ve got such wonderful stories of him, and people he didn’t even know that have wonderful stories of him that he gave so much of his time and energy and love to,’ said Ed.
The clearly moved singer added: ‘And I just… he was such a great bloke. And I’m honoured to be playing tonight.’
Fast friends: Robbie Williams (pictured) also performed remotely, dedicating his hit, Angels, to the legendary bowler
Robbie Williams also performed remotely, dedicating his hit, Angels, to the legendary bowler.
‘I only met Shane a few times. Before you meet him you think, he’s my mate. And then when you meet him you know he’s definitely your mate,’ Robbie, 48, said.
‘He was kind, charismatic, funny, charming and a gentleman. I was looking forward to spending more time with him because you seldom come across that kind of energy with people. Easy company, too.
‘I only met Shane a few times. Before you meet him you think, he’s my mate. And then when you meet him you know he’s definitely your mate,’ Robbie said
‘He was also a magician. When he was doing what he did so well, on the field of play, you thought, as the everyman, that’s exactly what I would do if I was in his position. But of course you would never be in his position.
‘We never will be, because we don’t possess that kind of talent that’s made for very few on the planet.’
He added: ‘Very few people on the planet can do that. And he’s one of them. A very special man. Very special talent.’
Greatest hits: Jon Stevens also took to the stage, performing the INXS classic, Never Tear Us Apart, which he followed up with Noiseworks’ Take Me Back
Jon Stevens also took to the stage, performing the INXS classic, Never Tear Us Apart, which he followed up with Noiseworks’ Take Me Back.
Sir Donald Bradman’s granddaughter, Greta Bradman, opened the service, performing the national anthem.
The 43-year-old opera singer performed a moving rendition of Advance Australia Fair as proceedings got underway.
Legacy: Sir Donald Bradman’s granddaughter, Greta Bradman (pictured), opened the service, performing the national anthem
Meanwhile, Anthony Callea helped close out the memorial service, performing a moving rendition of Andrea Bocelli’s The Prayer.
The stadium fell silent as the 39-year-old singer performed what was apparently one of Shane’s favourite songs.
Anthony’s performance was followed by a trumpeter playing a rousing rendition of When the Saints Go Marching In.
Bringing it home: Anthony Callea (pictured) helped close out the memorial service, performing a moving rendition of Andrea Bocelli’s The Prayer
Shane was found unresponsive in his villa in Koh Samui at around 5.15pm on Friday, March 4, and was later pronounced dead aged 52.
The cricketing legend was on holiday in Thailand with three friends, who spent 20 minutes trying to revive him after they were unable to wake him.
He was rushed to the Thai International Hospital by ambulance where he was then pronounced dead.
Tragedy: The cricketing legend was on holiday in Thailand with three friends, who spent 20 minutes trying to revive him after they were unable to wake him. Pictured at the Cricket World Cup Final in London in July 2019
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