A flock of global entertainment notables and politicos, including France's first lady Carla Bruni, toasted Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday with an all-star concert at Radio City Music Hall.

The tribute, held Saturday night, celebrated the anti-apartheid icon's birthday with a diverse collection of musical collaborations that ranged from pop to disco to gospel.

Bruni made her American stage debut at the show paired with Eurythmics founder Dave Stewart as her husband, President Nicolas Sarkozy, sat cheering in the audience. She paid homage to Mandela's social activism by covering Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind," calling it a song by another famous activist.

African artists such as Suzanna Owiyo, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Sipho Mabuse, and the Soweto Gospel Choir played backup for the night and were part of the one of the strongest performances.

Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, Cindy Lauper, Josh Groban were a few of the many big names who sang for Mandela on the night.

Mandela appeared last year for a concert in London's Hyde Park to celebrate his 90th birthday but since then,

Mandela's doctors advised that he no longer travel internationally. The concert Saturday, therefore, culminates the first ever "Mandela Day" as a means of honoring his inspiration by observing the day annually.

Source: AP