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NEW YORK -- Elton John's 60th birthday weekend in New York, complete with a lavish gala party and his knockout, history-making concert, was a spectacle in every sense of the word.

And for the many A-list celebrities on the guest lists for the Saturday night event at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and Sunday's sold-out, three-and-a-half-hour show at Madison Square Garden, attending and celebrating with Elton was a labour of love.

As it turns out, among the 20,000-plus revelers were some very well-known Elton fans.

Former President Bill Clinton introduced Elton and rocked on the floor during classic songs such as "Philadelphia Freedom" and "The Bitch is Back" along with rarely played deep tracks including "Ballad of a Well Known Gun" and "High Flying Bird."

Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg brought their typical comic relief and introduced Elton's long-time lyricist, Bernie Taupin, to observe the raising of Elton's commemorative "60" banner to honor his record-setting 60th performance at the Garden.

And then there were the other stars: Tony Bennett, Kid Rock, Donatella Versace, Michael Caine, Lawrence Fishburne, Kiefer Sutherland, Emma Thompson, Billie Jean King, Brian Wilson, Sharon Stone, David LaChappelle, k.d. lang, Liv Tyler, Pierce Brosnan, Barbara Walters, Jewel, Bette Midler, Richard Gere, Anne Hathaway, Jon Bon Jovi, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne and more.

"Every time I see him, I kiss him," Midler said. "He's the real shining light in our lives and we adore him."

That sentiment was shared by actress Emma Thompson, who said she first saw Elton when she was 14 years old at the American School in London. Not surprisingly, she said, Elton was wearing "those great big platform heels."

"He's just extraordinary," she said. "He's got what we call staying power."

Actress Anne Hathaway might be younger than Thompson, but she is old enough to recognize Elton's longevity, charm, and passion for his craft and for life.

"Just seeing that people really do love him with their whole hearts, and how many fans he has, and how many fans among his friends that he has, I hope he can appreciate that and just feel loved," Hathaway said. "That's all you'd want for anyone on their birthday."

Meanwhile, Brosnan was asked to assess Elton's life at the age of 60, and he didn't hesitate to answer, saying, "I think he's got happiness. I think he's got a great life, great music, great friends. He's come through a lot of trials and tribulations, he's loved by everybody. ... There you go. He's 60 and happy."

It's possible that another "Sir" in attendance, the great British actor Michael Caine, said it best.

"I know what he'll take away from the night," Caine said. "Every single person here loves him dearly."