RU REPORT PREVIEW: Will Patti Finally Get Divas 'Live??'


Patti LaBelle
(Feb. 5, 2004) R&B superdiva Patti LaBelle may finally get her just desserts with this year’s “Divas Live” festivities. An inside source over at Viacom tells The RU Report that producers of the annual VH1 fund-raising concert special –named VH1 Divas, this year-- have formulated a “working list” of top-notch female performers and Ms. LaBelle is at the top of the confirmed list. It’s about time.
This year's seventh annual VH1 Divas event, "VH1 Divas," will air live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on April 18th at 9:00 pm. Every Shakira, Jewel and Nelly Furtado have appeared on previous shows -- which showcases the phenomenal talent and spirit of legendary singers like Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Gloria Estafan Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder and Elton John.

Although her spokesperson was not available at press-time, the 40-year music veteran isn’t the only ‘diva’ on the confirmed list. Gladys Knight, Jessica Simpson and soul newcomer Joss Stone have been mentioned also. The "Divas" specials raise funds for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music programs in America's public schools, and to raising awareness of the positive impact that music participation has on students. Since VH1 Save The Music was created in 1997, more than $25 million worth of musical instruments has been donated to 1000 public schools in 80 cities, improving the lives of more than 500,000 children.

A pending list of hopefuls include headline grabbers Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and George Michael. Alicia Keys, Cyndi Lauper and Norah Jones are also expected to be approached. Performers, presenters, and special guests will be announced as they are confirmed.

The Sean “Puffy” Combs-produced New Edition comeback album project isn’t on the Universal Records roster for release this year, but on March 2nd, fans will be able to enjoy the new compilation “HITS.” Spanning the years 1984 to 1996 and featuring 17 tracks, each digitally re-mastered from the original singles masters, “HITS” will include all 16 of New Edition's R&B Top 10s, among them all four of their #1 smashes ("Cool It Now," "Mr. Telephone Man," "Can You Stand The Rain" and "Hit Me Off"), plus one Top 20.

Ten tracks have never before been heard on any New Edition compilation. Two of those -- "Once In A Lifetime Groove" and "Helplessly In Love" -- were recorded for films (“Running Scared” and “Dragnet,” respectively) and have never before appeared on any New Edition album.

The package will also feature a booklet filled with rare photos from throughout the group's career. In addition, the booklet reveals how to access on the CD a hidden welcome message to fans from group spokesman Michael Bivins.

There's MORE of the RU Report. Here's what he's got for you: Wanda Sykes' Comeback, Barbershop 2's Serious 'Business,' Muhammad & Laila Ali Heads To Harlem, Russell Simmons' Radio Days, Salma Hayek's New Gig, Patti LaBelle's Divas Live Possibility & More. To get it, just click here .

(eurweb.com)
[This message was edited Thu Feb 5 13:00:03 PST 2004 by Harlepolis]

I can't believe it's taken this long to include Patti. She is such a DIVA and should've been involved in the first one. I'm happy for her, but sad that she will be sharing the stage with Jessica AND - I hope Patti doesn't end up on the same one as Britney either

I agree, kisscamille.

Patti is/was way overdue to be on 1 of those (typically clichéd) "VH-1 Divas" shows..

really though:
of all the "divas" out there-
& we all know the word "diva" itself has been overused to the point where you can be 12 years old, have 1 "hit record" & then someone would call you a "diva", just for that..

but my point was
of all the "divas" out there,
Patti is most deserving of this term, & I mean that in a positive way. I'm sure she can be a "bitch" sometimes if she really wants to, but it's hard to see her that way because she comes across as being SO down-to-earth & all that..

well, if they actually do put Patti on the next Diva's show, I'll finally have a reason to watch VH-1 again.

Seriously. This should be a TRIBUTE to Ms. Patti. She is just as qualified as Aretha and Diana. They should fill the show up with top-notch vocalists but seeing that they will approach Britney & Jessica (well at least JS sings good)...it wont be that great.

Could you imagine: Patti, Gladys, Cyndi Lauper and Alicia Keys?? This would be amazing.

Joss Stone would be a cool addition. She does have a very soulful voice.

They should bring Mariah back...she and Patti did 'Got To Be Real' on a PBS special a couple years back and it was really cool. Also, at the 1998 Essence awards...Mariah did a great version of 'If Only You Knew'. These two are friends...Patti considers herself Mariah's 'Godmother'...

VANITYSprisonBYTCH said:

I was at that show! It's available on DVD, called "Live One Night Only".


She did??? I can't believe I missed that.

The only thing about this Divas show is that other people can't really do justice to Patti's own songs.

BET did something like this on their "Walk of Fame" and most people screwed up her songs.

GaryMF said:

Yup..at the 1998 Essence Awards they did a tribute to Patti. Whitney presented it. Luther, Michael (gasp) Bolton, SWV and Mariah all did Patti songs...I believe Michael Bolton did "You Are My Friend", SWV did "Lady Marmalade", I cant remember what Luther did...and Mariah ended it with "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" (not "If Only You Knew" as I mentioned earlier)...actually Whitney sang a part of "If Only You Knew" during her opening remarks...

all in all...it was really cool..sans Michael Bolton!

VANITYSprisonBYTCH said:

You are so totally on about the line-up. I will say though, that becuase one of the highlights of watching Divas is watching the ladies all sing their GUTS out, I could actually accept the appearance of Jessica Simpson over Broccoli Spears because I think the young woman would try her hardest (to sing), you know how she likes to belt all that voice out from her 3ft. 2 in. frame. There is absolutely NOPOINTWHATSOEVER in watching Spears perform on Divas because the child CANNOT SING! She is not even a chanteuse, let alone a diva. At least the Simpson girl can get up there in some nice gown, with SOUND actually coming out of her mouth when she opens it. It would be disheartening to see Spears up there thrash dancing and lip-sycing when the aim of the program is to save MUSIC in schools, and that program extends not only providing instruments, but vocal study as well. As a person who has studied music and performed (even as hobby), Spears is just the wrong performer for this kind of event. Especially with Dame Patti headlining the bill???

I do believe however, that Miss JOSS STONE would be GREAT in a show like this! I notice that they usually include an ingenue in every DIVAS performance, and I think she would be IDEAL! I love her debut album (produced by 70's singing-songwriting diva BETTY WRIGHT), and especially the fact that Betty made her record it WITH the band and completely stripped down of technical gimmickery; you can literally hear the lil thing breathe before every note sung- like the way they did it in the old skool days. It's very rough and raw in some spots (because they didn't hide ANYTHING), but there's alot of sincerity coming through that 16 yr.old voice, even on songs like "THE CHOKING KIND". Yup,I think Joss Stone would be a nice choice to be on the PATTI, er uh, Divas 2004 show. And I think she should do that song she performs with The Roots & Angie Stone, "Fell In Love With A Boy (from the White Stripes)- I shake my booty to that one all the time and would love to get that on videotape...

C'MON, Britney???

Patti
Roberta Flack
Patti Austin
Jennifer Holiday
Martha Wash
Grace Jones

Patti's long overdue for this. If you've seen her on "Motown Returns To The Apollo" back in '85, you know exactly what I mean.

ReeseStrongnight said:

Totally agreed with JOSS STONE. Her album is so damn good. I love more everytime I listen to it and let me tell YOU that "Choking Kind" just kills me everytime! That she's 16 makes it all the more amazing!

You gave me a thought...they should bring Ms. Betty Wright on to the line up...man...the possiblities!

VH1 has a great intention to 'Save the Music' but they need to 'Save the Divas Show' cuz the last couple of years were like a trainwreck that would'nt quit! I think when they moved to Vegas it became tacky. They should go back to the Beacon Theatre in NYC were the whole event seemed classy and much more refined! Those first 2 divas shows in '98 and '99 were unforgettable..especially the finales on both. I can hardly remember who the hell sang at last years.

Patti Labelle is the epitome of "diva,the right way".Vh-1 should be ashamed.They better give her whatever she ask for too.