The Closing Ceremony Rocks Out

From George Michael's comeback to the Spice Girls reunion, the London Games end with a bang

BY GEORGE, HE'S BACK!

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In his first public performance since his bout with pneumonia last year, George Michael wows the 80,000 spectators inside London's Olympic Stadium with a rendition of his hit "Freedom" at the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 Summer Games on Sunday.

A DASH OF SPICE…

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…Makes everything nice, especially at the Olympics Closing Ceremony, where the fab five – Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Melanie Brown – reunite to perform two of their greatest hits, "Wannabe" and "Spice Up Your Life," after making an entrance in tricked-out cabs.

ROYAL WATCHERS

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Just as they were present for the Opening Ceremony and throughout the Games, Prince Harry and Duchess Kate take in the magic of Sunday night's Closing Ceremony, which was called "A Symphony of Music."

SCHOOL OF ROCK

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Jessie J shows her range – and flexibility! – as she sings "We Will Rock You" with Brian May and Roger Taylor (not pictured) of Queen.

BOW DOWN

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With British pop stars arriving across the Olympic Stadium stage in all manner of wheels, Annie Lennox gives the audience a jolt when she makes her entrance aboard a galleon to perform her single "Little Bird."

STAGE DIRECTION

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Boy band One Direction joins the impressive list of British performers past and present to take part in the Closing Ceremony festivities, performing their hit "What Makes You Beautiful."

PARADE OF CATWALKERS

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Naomi Campbell still owns the catwalk as she sashays along with fellow Brit stunners Kate Moss, Georgia Jagger, Karen Elson and others to the tune of David Bowie's "Fashion."

RUSSELL MANIA

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Wearing a getup inspired by Willy Wonka, British comic Russell Brand proves he can hold a tune, singing the Beatles's "I Am the Walrus" as he rolls into Olympic Stadium on a psychedelic bus surrounded by a bevy of ladies.

O BROTHER…

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…Where art thou? With brother Noel of Oasis nowhere in sight, Liam Gallagher takes the stage with his band Beady Eye to perform "Wonderwall" as the crowd happily sings along.

NEXT STOP: RIO

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And with the 2012 Olympic Games over, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson passes the Olympic Flag to Eduardo Paeds, the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, where the Summer Games will arrive in 2016.

FIRE ROCKETS

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The Closing Ceremony wraps up with a bang as an amazing display of fireworks lights up the London sky.