In 1998, VH1 debuted the first annual VH1 Divas concert. VH1 Divas Live was created to support the channel's Save The Music Foundation and subsequent concerts in the series have also benefited that foundation. The VH1 Divas concerts aired annually from 1998 to 2004. After a five year hiatus, the series returned on September 17, 2009 with a younger-skewed revamp.[1] The latest edition, VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul, was recorded on December 18, 2011 and aired the next day on VH1, doubling the previous year's ratings.
Contents |
| VH1 Divas Live | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live album by VH1 Divas Live | |||||
| Released | October 6, 1998 | ||||
| Recorded | April 14, 1998 | ||||
| Genre | Pop, R&B/Soul, Rock, Country | ||||
| Label | VH1 | ||||
| VH1 Divas Live chronology | |||||
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VH1 Divas Live: An Honors Concert For The VH1 Save The Music Foundation aired live from the Beacon Theatre in New York city on April 14, 1998.
The show was produced by Grammys producer Ken Ehrlich, directed by Michael Simon and written by producer/writer Martin Lewis.
(in order of appearance) [2][3]
Aretha's band was used for her duet with Mariah Carey (Chain of Fools) and the finale (Natural Woman, and Testimony).
| VH1 Divas Live/99 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live album by VH1 Divas Live | ||||
| Released | November 1999 | |||
| Recorded | April 13, 1999 | |||
| Genre | Pop, R&B/Soul | |||
| Length | 73:00 | |||
| Label | VH1 | |||
| VH1 Divas Live chronology | ||||
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VH1 Divas Live/99: An Honors Concert For The VH1 Save The Music Foundation aired live from the Beacon Theatre in New York city on April 13, 1999.
Strutting through the audience, the indomitable Tina Turner opens VH1's Divas Live 99 by launching into "The Best". She and honorary diva Elton John belt out an energetic version of "The Bitch Is Back". Things turned awkward during rehearsals, however, as Elton John and Turner had a spat when she felt he was "rushing" the tempo of Proud Mary, much to Diva Turner's dissatisfaction. The two briefly sparred infront of onlookers. Turner teased the captivated audience during the slow, sultry opening of "Proud Mary." Cher joins her to wrap up the classic hit, then segues into her own set in which she plays "Believe" (not released) and "If I Could Turn Back Time" with her staying power.
After that, LeAnn Rimes performs "How Do I Live" with a sure, powerful voice. Next to her, Brandy sings with a pleasant and soft voice three of her ballads, which appeared on Never Say Never. "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" was sung as a duet with Faith Hill.
The superstar diva Whitney Houston then sang five songs: "It's Not Right But It's Okay", "Ain't No Way", "I Will Always Love You", "My Love Is Your Love" and "I'm Every Woman"; of which only "I Will Always Love You" "Ain't No Way" and "I'm Every Woman" were used on the CD, VHS and DVD release. Mary J. Blige featured on Houston's rendition of "Ain't No Way" and Chaka Khan joined Houston for the closing number, "I'm Every Woman".
TLC was initially slated to appear during the finale with Whitney and Chaka, but were forced to pull out when group member T-Boz had a sickle cell anemia crisis.
| Chart (2000) | Provider | Peak position |
Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austrian Albums Chart | Media Control | 43 | |
| French Albums Chart | SNEP/IFOP | 42 | |
| Dutch Albums Chart | IFPI | 41 | |
| German Top 100 Albums | Media Control | 60 | |
| Swiss Top 100 Albums | Media Control | 14 | |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | Billboard | 90 | Gold (CD) / Gold (DVD) |
VH1 Divas 2000: A Tribute to Diana Ross - An Honors Concert For The VH1 Save The Music Foundation was the first of three concerts in the series not aired live, and the first of a brief “tribute” period. It was recorded on April 9, 2000 at New York's Madison Square Garden and first aired on April 11, 2000. Diana Ross requested the concert be recorded as time constraints for the airing of commercials would not allow enough time for her to change costumes. The well-received show took a mammoth 6 hours to record. This special also marked the introduction of Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne as Supremes, who were touring with Diana Ross. Laurence and Payne were Supremes during the 1970's.
According to several reports, Christina Aguilera was also in talks to appear on the show that year, as she was hot off of her Grammy win for Best New Artist at the 2000 Grammy Awards. Instead, Aguilera appeared on 'Men Strike Back' later that month. Aguilera's camp denied the rumors of a rivalry with Mariah Carey and stated that Aguilera could not originally appear on 'Divas' because she had been scheduled to perform on SNL.
Donna Summer was scheduled to sing a Supremes medley with Diana Ross and Mariah Carey and a VH1 Divas preview program actually shows them rehearsing together, however on the night of the concert only Ross and Carey performed the medley. No reason was given for Summer's non appearance in that part of the show although rumors began to emerge that Summer was unhappy that not enough rehearsal time had been given for that particular segment and she felt she was not in good voice. Summer ultimately performed two solo slots.
VH1 Divas Live: The One And Only Aretha Franklin - An Honors Concert For The VH1 Save The Music Foundation. This all-star tribute (the last such “Divas” event to use the format) to Aretha Franklin took place at New York's Radio City Music Hall. The show nearly fell apart when Diva Franklin had a Diva moment. Franklin had requested that all air-conditioning be turned off during rehearsals and when she performed because of the negative effect it had on her voice. During the rehearsal, Franklin felt she sounded "off" and stopped the rehearsal. She complained that an air conditioner was on in the building and refused to go on. When a search of the building proved her correct, Aretha Franklin walked off stage and returned to her hotel, refusing to perform. VH1 producers scrambled to appease the upset Franklin. She eventually agreed to go on with the concert and show. As the previous year, this concert was not released on CD or DVD.
| VH1 Divas Las Vegas | |||||
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| Live album by VH1 Divas Live | |||||
| Released | October 22, 2002 | ||||
| Recorded | May 23, 2002 | ||||
| Genre | Pop, R&B/Soul, Rock, Country | ||||
| Label | VH1 | ||||
| VH1 Divas Live chronology | |||||
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VH1 Divas Las Vegas: An Honors Concert For The VH1 Save The Music Foundation aired live from the MGM Grand Las Vegas on May 23, 2002. For the first time, Divas Live broadcasted from a city other than New York. This time around, Las Vegas played host city to the fifth Divas concert. A CD/DVD of the concert was released later that year, but not all the performances or performers (most notably those of co-headliner Mary J. Blige) were included, due to various record label issues.
VH1 Divas Duets: An Honors Concert For The VH1 Save The Music Foundation aired live from the MGM Grand Las Vegas on May 22, 2003. This concert has not been released on CD or DVD.
VH1 Divas: An Honors Concert For The VH1 Save The Music Foundation aired live from the MGM Grand Las Vegas on April 18, 2004. This concert has not been released on CD or DVD. This marks the first appearance of close friends and R&B and soul legends Patti LaBelle (who was told by producers that she’d be considered “top dog” [4]) and Gladys Knight after they had turned down previous offers to appear. Gladys could not stay for the finale due to obligations with her one woman show at the famed Flamingo Las Vegas. Kylie Minogue was originally confirmed as a headliner for the 80s themed show, but withdrew shortly after.
Aside from the normal set of presenters, the concert also featured video testimonials from Chaka Khan, Carly Simon, Gloria Estefan, Vanessa Williams, Mary J. Blige, Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, Pharrell Williams, Kathy Griffin (in what would prove to be the first of three consecutive appearances), Marg Helgenberger, and Usher on the word "diva", their favorite divas, as well as the importance of music education in schools.
VH1 Divas: An Honors Concert For The VH1 Save The Music Foundation aired live on September 17, 2009 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York. Paula Abdul hosted and performed. This concert has not been released on CD or DVD.
VH1 Divas Salute The Troops was the second of two concerts in the series not aired live. It was recorded on Friday, December 3, 2010 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar while Paramore was filmed earlier in the week at Army Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. The special first aired on Sunday, December 5, 2010 and broadcast internationally by the Armed Forces Network.[6] [7]
The concert also featured a telecast featuring First Lady Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé (in her third appearance on the series), Fergie, P!nk, Ke$ha, and Carrie Underwood (marking the concert series’ fourth appearance by an American Idol contestant), delivering special messages to the troops. Certain select servicemen and women from Miramar, Naval Base Coronado, Camp Pendleton, and Camp Arifjan[1] were also presented in video portraits, documenting their careers and journey in the US military.
and several servicemen and servicewomen
VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul was the third of three concerts in the series not aired live. It was taped on December 18, 2011 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City [10], and aired the next evening on VH1, paying tribute to the places that helped create or contributed to soul music: Chicago, Detroit, London, Philadelphia and Memphis.[11] Anita Baker had to drop out moments before the concert after disagreements with producers[12], allowing Marsha Ambrosius and Ledisi to step in and perform in her place during the Detroit medley [13]. Kelly Clarkson twisted her ankle on the way into the concert, though she still performed as planned.