Celine Dion, Patti labelle to be honored at World Music Awards in …
Source: International Herald Tribune ()
MONTE CARLO, Monaco: Canadian singer Celine Dion and R&B queen Patti LaBelle were to be honored Sunday at the World Music Awards for their outstanding careers.
Dion, who has sold 200 million albums worldwide, was to receive the highest accolade — the Legend Award — at the star-studded ceremony in Monaco. The tiny principality's Prince Albert II was expected to present the honor.
Dion was scheduled to give a performance of “Taking Chances,” the first single from her forthcoming album of the same name, slated for release later this month.
The 39-year-old diva from Quebec already holds a World Music Awards prize for the world's best-selling female artist of all time. She won the so-called Diamond Award in 2004.
The show was also to pay tribute to 63-year-old LaBelle for her enduring contribution to R&B. LaBelle, whose career stretches back to the 1950s, was slated to perform her classic, “Lady Marmalade.”
Hip hop artist Akon, who has been riding high on world charts, was expected to take home more than one award, and was to perform three of his hits at the ceremony.
Also listed to take the stage were pop singers Avril Lavigne from Canada; the flamboyant British bopper Mika; R&B sensation Rihanna of Barbados; Italy's Laura Pausini; Mexican rock band Mana and Egyptian singer Amr Diab.
Julian McMahon, star of the American television series “Nip/Tuck,” was to host the event.
Award winners are named based on worldwide album sales, as certified by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, which is comprised of some 1,400 record companies in 75 countries.
The show was to be taped and broadcast later in 160 countries. It was expected to reach approximately 1 billion viewers. In the U.S., it will air on Nov. 22 on My Network TV.
After three years of roaming, the show has returned to Monte Carlo, where it had been staged since its creation in 1989. …