British Stars Perform in Surreal 2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony

The 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremonies featured a number of talented English musical performances, including the indie-rock band Arctic Monkeys, rapper Dizzee Rascal, and the legendary Beatles singer/songwriter Paul McCartney in a closing set featuring the 1968 single "Hey Jude."

Performing at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, East London on Friday evening, Arctic Monkeys bashed out one of their early hits, "I Bet you Look Good on the Dancefloor," highlighted by a phenomenal fireworks display. They then tore in to a calmer tune, covering the Beatles' serene "Come Together." Fans enjoyed a peaceful atmosphere which included bicyclists circling the stage flaunting neon dove wings.

British rapper Dizzee Rascal, hailing from the East London town of Bow, performed his UK no. 1 hit "Bonkers," an eccentric mix of rap, hip-hop, and electronic pop. English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer Mike Oldfield as well as upcoming Scottish pop artist Emeli Sande took time to grace their presence on the Stratford stage.

The ceremony, referred to as the "Isles of Wonder," also staged a musical montage of other classic British performers throughout the years. Included were a number of 1960s and 1970s rock and roll acts, such as the Who, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Kinks, David Bowie, Queen, The Jam, and the Sex Pistols (the set featured enormous puppets with Mohican haircuts bouncing around onstage). The 1980s and 1990s were represented by bands including New Order, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, and Blur while the dance/rave acts Prodigy and Underworld took the stage themselves, surrounded by raving day-glo dancers. The montage concluded with more current British idols, including Muse, Tinie Tempah, and the late Amy Winehouse.

Paul McCartney took the opening ceremonies stage to close out the celebration, performing a rather emotional rendition of "Hey Jude," as thousands of fans surrounded the stage and crooned along.

On a stage not too far away, in London's infamous Hyde Park, the British BT London Live Celebration concert series was taking place, featuring artists from each of the United Kingdom's four countries, with Paolo Nutini (Scotland), Stereophonics (Wales), Duran Duran (England) and Snow Patrol (Northern Ireland) putting on live performances until one in the morning.

Among the over 15,000 performers who took over the Olympic Stadium stage during the three-hour ordeal were standout musicians, comedians, actors, dancers, and athletes. Some other notable appearances include comedian Rowan Atkinson appearing as Mr. Bean in a Chariots Of Fire spoof, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, soccer player David Beckham, and Tour de France-winning cyclist Bradley Wiggins.

Check out more information about the 2012 Summer Olympics, including a closing ceremony on August 12 which will feature a performance by the English rock band Blur, here.