London Olympics 2012 Closing Ceremony: Spice Girls, The Who, Take That and Rio Artists Sign Off in Style [PHOTOS]

The London Olympics 2012 ended on a spectacular note, with rocking performances from a long line of A-list British pop and rock artists (past and present) and included an electrifying teaser from artists from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, where the next Summer Olympics will be held.

The 90s all-girl pop star group, the Spice Girls reunited, despite several issues between band members, for an appearance at the closing ceremony and did that in style - each member of the five- strong group taking to the stage on top of iconic black cabs. The five singers - Mel B (Scary Spice), Mel C (Sporty Spice), Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice), Emma Bunton (Baby Spice) and Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) - put on a fine show, singing Wannabe and Spice Up Your Life.

Rio Performers

Meanwhile, on the more traditional front, artists from Rio were on hand to give the audience a taste of what to expect in four years time, as the mayor of the Brazilian city received the Olympic Flag. The samba artists on show included popular singer Marisa Monte, actor-singer Seu Jorge, supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio and Brazilian football legend Pele joined the Rio performers.

Phoenix Rises from Cauldron's Ashes

Just as Danny Boyle's opening ceremony was all about theatricality and the dramatic, the Olympics' after-party was also about stunning visuals. The Olympic Cauldron was about to fade away into the night, the dying embers to awakened only in 2014 when Sochi in Russia hosts the Winter Olympics, when a 20m wide phoenix - the legendary bird that rose from the ashes of its fiery death - filled the sky and celebrated prima ballerina, Darcey Bussell flew down from the roof of the stadium.

The principal ballerina with the Royal Ballet in London was joined by over 200 others, dancing to Spirit of the Flame, composed by David Arnold. Meanwhile, at the other end of the stadium, British pop group Take That sang Rule the World.

The Who Closes London Olympics 2012

Finally, as the London Olympics 2012 flame was extinguished - on midnight at 12 August - the Olympic Stadium came alive for one last time, as one of the country's biggest ever rock acts - The Who - took to the stage to perform Baba O'Riley and See Me, Feel Me. The band was then joined by other performers, including Bussell and the artists from Rio, for one last song - My Generation.

Lord Coe Rounds it Off

"When our time came - Britain we did it right. Thank you!" former British athlete and chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Lord Sebastian Coe, said, adding, "For the third time in its history London was granted the trust of the Olympic movement and once again we have shown ourselves worthy of that trust. And for that I want to say thank you."

Check out photographs of all the performances and performers that rang the curtain on London Olympics 2012