Stevie Wonder, Gilberto Gil give Rio Christmas cheer

RIO DE JANEIRO  (AFP) - United States (US) singer Stevie Wonder joined Brazil's Gilberto Gil late on Tuesday for a massive free Christmas concert on Rio's Copacabana beach attended by half a million people.

"Tudo bem?" (Everything allright?) Wonder shouted out to the crowd in Portugese after being led on stage by his sons.

Dressed in a golden suit, the blind singer began his set with What a Wonderful World, then performed hits like I Just Called to Say I Love You, You Are the Sunshine of My Life and to sing a cover of the late Michael Jackson, The Way You Make Me Feel. Earlier, Gil opened the show with Realce and A Novidade on a stage set with the exclusive Copacabana Palace Hotel as a backdrop.

"Good night Rio, Merry Christmas. Thank you for the gift of your presence," he said.