Elton John commemorates World AIDS Day

Sir Elton John lit the Sydney Opera House with murals projected in light, to commemorate World AIDS Day in Sydney, Australia on Thursday (December 01). The British rock singer braved a case of bronchitis to attend the event, overlooking the Sydney Opera House.<br/> During the event the singer recalled his friend Freddie Mercury.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (English) SIR ELTON JOHN, SAYING:<br/> "20 years ago two weeks ago, Freddie Mercury died. And I saw him struggle with what was the most appalling Karposi's and painful, hideous things to look at. Two years on, he would have been still alive. That's the cruelty of this disease. We lost so many people so quickly, and then we developed drugs that kept people alive."<br/> The light show was part of a worldwide event, coordinated by Pacific Friends of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which saw 50 iconic buildings and monuments around the world bathed in red light to campaign for an AIDS-free generation by 2015.<br/> The Elton John AIDS Foundation has raised over 220 million since 1992 in the fight against HIV and AIDS.<br/> John Russell, Reuters.