Canadian jazz legend Oscar Peterson dies
24/12/2007 2:40:25 PM
Internationally renowned Canadian jazz pianist and trumpet player Oscar Peterson has died.
Oscar Peterson performs in concert at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in this July 7, 1983 file photo. (Marc Miller / THE CANADIAN PRESS)
The 82-year-old died at his Mississauga, Ont. home on Sunday from kidney failure and other complications following a stroke several years ago, sources have confirmed.
Veteran politician Bob Rae — a close family friend of Peterson — told CTV that he heard the news from Peterson’s wife Kelly Sunday night.
“I’d been over to visit a couple of weeks ago. He’d been okay, but he was obviously failing,” Rae said on Monday. “It was not quite the Oscar we’d all come to know and love.”
Rae said that while the news did not come as a shock it was a great loss to the nation.
“He’s probably Canada’s best-known citizen internationally. No Canadian has done more in the cultural musical field than Oscar, and really as a humanitarian and a fighter for civil rights,” he said.
According to his website, Oscarpeterson.com, he was the fourth of five children born to parents Daniel and Kathleen. Peterson was born in 1925.
He began playing music when he was five, first under the tutelage of his father, a porter with Canadian Pacific Railways who was also a self-taught piano player, then later under the guidance of Paul de Marky, a respected classical pianist from Hungary.
Peterson’s introduction to jazz music also came at an early age. Growing up in Montreal’s poor, predominantly black Little Burgundy neighbourhood in the 1920s and ’30s, he was surrounded by a then flourishing jazz culture that came to define his long career.
His influences are said to be Teddy Williams, Nat King Cole and Art Tatum.
Peterson’s first national exposure in Canada came when he was 14, when his older sister Daisy arranged for him to audition for a national amateur competition. He went on to win the contest.
Oliver Jones — a friend of Peterson’s since childhood — said people could tell Peterson was destined for big things from an early age.
“He had this aura . . . we just knew he was slated for greatness,” Jones told CTV Newsnet from his home in Deerfield Beach, Fla.
“I don’t believe we ever knew just how much of an impact he would have on the world scene.”
Known as a virtuoso piano improviser, Peterson was described in a 1975 Maclean’s article as the “Best Damn Jazz Piano” player in the world.
On top of his technical and musical brilliance, Peterson was known for his left hand dexterity — his ability to spin creative, complex and clear streams of notes effortlessly with his accompanying hand.
It was also his left side, however that was weakened when he suffered a serious stroke in 1993. He never recovered fully, but played on a limited basis several years later until his death.
Liberal Leader Stephane Dion issued a statement on Monday, expressing his condolences to the family of the man he said was “one of the greatest pianists and composers the jazz community has known.”
“I would like to express my deepest sympathies to Mr. Peterson’s family and friends. I share in the grief of the millions of fans with whom Oscar Peterson shared the tremendous gift of his remarkable music,” Dion said in the statement.
Among the many awards Peterson collected during his 50-year career, he received eight Grammys, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for lifetime achievement and was a Companion of the Order of Canada.
Jones, a piano player himself, described Peterson as the epitome of “a complete musician.”
Jones said he knew what he wanted to do and was determined to be the best jazz pianist – not an easy task for a young black man growing up in Canada during the 30s and 40s.
“I’m thankful that he passed away at home with his family, apparently very peacefully and with dignity,” Jones said.
CNN’s "Death of a Princess"
CNN MENU for “The Death of Princess Diana”
“The commercialization of a princess” – Diana Inc.:
By CNN Interactive Writer John Christensen
(CNN) — In the year since the death of Princess Diana, scarcely a day has passed that at least a few of her admirers have not made the pilgrimage to Kensington Palace to honor her memory.
Londoners have grown accustomed to people taking photographs of the palace — the princess’ last home — or leaving flowers, messages and other signs of their abiding fondness for her.
This unflagging interest in the princess has also manifested itself in a desire to take home a memento, a keepsake, a souvenir that will endure even as memories yellow and curl with age.
The willingness by her admirers to spend money on Princess Diana memorabilia is equaled — and sometimes exceeded — only by the eagerness of those selling it.
Even before the princess was buried, entrepreneurs were churning out her likeness on items ranging from thimbles and saucepans to Christmas decorations and computer screen-savers.
But the guardians of her legacy also moved swiftly.
Four days after her death, the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund was established as a trust to channel this swelling commercial impulse toward charities helping those “at the margins of society.”
In the 11 months since, the fund has raised more than $100 million (£62 million), and distributed nearly $23 million (£14 million).
The fund — with Diana’s estate’s approval — has licensed six products. But scores of other products bearing her likeness or signature have been marketed by companies without the fund’s approval, and often without contributing to it. The fund has both sued and been sued by companies over the “intellectual property” rights to Diana, and has sent warning letters to many others.
Naturally, financial transactions invoking Diana’s memory have raised a few eyebrows in a country where propriety’s perimeter is carefully monitored for trespassers.
The critics had a field day last spring, for example, when the princess’ signature appeared on tubs of margarine manufactured by a company that also sponsored the London Marathon.
Flora, the manufacturer, announced that the princess’ fund would receive some of the proceeds from the promotion, but many in the public and the media concluded that the fund would stop at nothing in its zeal for profit.
In fact, says attorney Andrew Dobson, the fund had nothing to do with Flora’s decision and was powerless to do anything about it.
“The margarine was not a licensed product,” says Dobson, who represents the princess’ estate. “If you had a garden sale and indicated on a sign that the proceeds were going to go to the fund, it would not require us to approve it. That’s fund-raising.”
And fund-raising, says Dobson, is what Flora was up to in its two-week promotion, which had an announced goal of $600,000. When it was over, however, the company turned over $3.26 million (£2 million) to the fund.
While the memorial fund is responsible for fielding proposals and approving products, it is the princess’ estate that permits the use of her likeness and signature as intellectual property. And it is the estate that has the final say on every product the fund approves.
The fund has nine unpaid trustees, many of them longtime charity activists. Among the trustees is the princess’ sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, who is also an executor of the princess’ estate. The estate’s other executors are Frances Shand Kydd, the mother of the princess and Lady McCorquodale, and the Rt. Rev. Hon. Richard Chartress, the bishop of London. Neither are trustees of the fund.
The estate’s beneficiaries are the princess’ sons, Princes William and Harry. Their guardian, at least where the princess’ estate is concerned, is former prime minister John Major.
Staff members at the fund say it has received more than 2,000 proposals in the 11 months it has been in operation. More than a few, says assistant press officer Jo Greensted, have been “completely ridiculous and insensitive.
“We’ve had proposals for things like accident emergency kits, seat belts and colonic irrigation kits,” Greensted says indignantly. “And some came literally the week after the princess died.”
There was also a cable TV movie produced in Britain last spring that was immediately greeted with charges of tastelessly exploiting the princess’ memory.
And a Canadian newspaper reported recently that “at least 700 licensees” had paid fees to the fund for the right to market such things as tea towels and mugs bearing the princess’ likeness.
“Absolute rubbish,” says Amanda Clow, one of the fund’s press officers.
In fact, the trustees have approved only six products: a set of commemorative stamps from the British post office; the Princess Beanie Baby, a purple bear with a rose on its chest; a crystal candle holder; a tribute CD featuring Elton John and other musicians; scented candles; and two limited-edition enamel boxes.
The products range in price from about $1.60 for the stamps and slightly more than $8 for the Beanie Baby to about $160 for the more expensive of the two enamel boxes. John donated $32.6 million (£20 million) from sales of his remake of “Candle in the Wind,” and the “Diana, Princess of Wales — Tribute” CD has raised about $22 million (£13.6 million).
“It’s a surprisingly small number,” Greensted says of the six products, “but it’s a very lengthy process by the fund, and by the estate and its executors.”
There are, as yet, no established criteria for prospective products. Nor, says press officer Vanessa Corringham, does the fund try to find products that the princess might have used or approved of.
“We don’t go there,” Corringham says. “But her sister is on the fund’s board and is an executor of the estate as well. She has a good idea of what is appropriate.”
The fund and the estate regard “what is appropriate” as a matter of great delicacy.
Dobson says the executors of the estate are intent that it not benefit financially from the commercial activity created by the princess’ death, and prefer that all proceeds go instead to charity.
“We wanted to bring taste and appropriateness to the use of her rights,” says Dobson. “Those are our watchwords.”
Deciding what is tasteful and appropriate can be highly subjective, of course, but the fund must also ensure that the products it approves not only meet that standard but are commercially appealing as well.
Dobson says the reaction to the princess’ signature on tubs of margarine indicates that “there was a limit to how far anyone could commercialize her name. We don’t want profiteering without charity. Even charity has its boundaries beyond which one cannot traverse.”
Nevertheless, he says he cannot imagine the estate overruling the fund on a product. “We’re a like-minded group when it comes to taste and appropriateness. It even makes good commercial sense.
“I hate to use the word ‘brand’ because it sounds horrible,” Dobson says, “but (Princess Diana’s) intellectual property rights are better used at a rarefied level. And the more appropriate it is, the better it will sell.”
Policing the unlicensed use of the princess’ image and signature has presented the fund with some difficulties.
Corringham says it has issued “a great many” cease-and-desist letters to companies trying to capitalize on the princess’ popularity, and it encourages those companies that have received licenses to help police those that have not.
ALSO
She says the offenders are “predominantly” in the United States, a claim Dobson seconds. “There’s a market for collectibles in the U.S. that doesn’t exist here,” he says.
In May, the fund sued the Franklin Mint, a Philadelphia-area company that has marketed two Diana dolls and several other items without approval from the fund. (See box)
And in early August, the fund itself was sued by Bradford Exchange Ltd., an Illinois company that claims the fund does not have the right to control Princess Diana’s “name, likeness, image or other attribute.”
Bradford, which makes plates, dolls and music boxes, says it has paid the fund more than $2.4 million (£1.5 million) from sales of commemorative Diana items produced as a result of earlier agreements. It also says a new agreement has been worked out but not signed.
A Reuters report quotes an attorney for the fund as saying it has delayed signing the agreement pending the outcome of its litigation with the Franklin Mint.
Policing the princess’ likeness is rendered even more difficult by a long-standing tradition. As Corringham points out, “The princess was hugely loved, and there was a proliferation of things even before her death.”
It is a tradition in Britain for monarchs and other royalty to appear on cups, plates, glasses and other memorabilia, and Corringham says the fund has no intention of going after the many small merchants and street vendors who sell them.
“It’s a game of balance,” says Dobson. “We’re not into litigation. We walk a bit of a tightrope. Diana was the people’s princess, and we have to be very careful that we’re not overly vigilant.”
Diana’s brother, Charles, the Earl of Spencer, has been the subject of more than a little scrutiny over his decision to turn part of the family estate into an exhibit featuring his sister.
Although a registered historic site and the princess’ home when she was growing up, Althorp House (pronounced “Al-THRUP” in Britain) was only a minor attraction in a country rich in history and historical sites until the exhibit opened.
However The Evening Standard, a London newspaper, quoted an expert as saying that Diana’s popularity means that Spencer “is onto a financial bonanza.”
The exhibit is open only in July and August and in this, its first year, quickly sold out all 152,000 tickets — 2,500 a day — at $15.50 (£9.50) for adults, $11.40 (£7) for senior citizens and $8.15 (£5) for children.
Spencer was criticized for saying he would contribute some of the proceeds to the memorial fund but for not saying how much. But Shelley-Anne Claircourk, speaking for Spencer, says Spencer has “officially stated” that he would donate 10 percent of the profits to the fund.
Claircourk couldn’t say how much that would be, because a final accounting probably won’t be available until early next year. She also said that profits would be lower this year because of the “huge capital investment” in setting up the exhibit. But she made clear that the 10 percent would include not only ticket sales, but proceeds from a cafe and shop as well.
Claircourk says there are just a few souvenirs sold in a gift shop at the exhibit, and none use Diana’s likeness or signature.
They include a “Tiffany-like” key ring with a silver heart and an “A” for Althorp, and a platinum-and-blue mug bearing words from Spencer’s eulogy at Diana’s funeral. The key ring, the most popular item, sells for about $4.80 (£3); the mug about $19.50 (£12).
“Everybody’s been very pleased with the way thing have gone, the media and the public,” Claircourk says.
The relationship between Spencer and the fund appears to be cordial. Corringham says the fund recently issued a mission statement that Spencer endorsed, and earlier this summer he donated to the fund the proceeds from a tribute concert held on the grounds at Althorp House. The concert featured Chris de Burgh, Lesley Garrett, Jimmy Ruffin, Duran Duran, Sir Cliff Richard and the BBC Concert Orchestra.
After initial misgivings about sullying the princess’ reputation, concerns seem to have subsided and the public has settled back to watch her legacy unfold.
“The last couple of months it’s been quiet,” says Luke Harding, a reporter at The Guardian, another London newspaper. “Things have moved on from the commercialization issue.”
There is still plenty of Diana merchandise being sold, Harding says, but “the trust is keeping its head down and pushing the odd press release. They’ve played their cards very carefully.”
CNN’s “Portrait of a Princess” — August 25, 1998
Royal photographer offers ‘Portrait of a Princess’
Web posted on: Friday, August 28, 1998 1:53:57 PM EDT
(CNN) — With her marriage to Prince Charles, a girl named Diana became a princess and spent the rest of her life in the glaring eye of the camera. Though much of the attention was unwanted, a select group employed by the royal family had complete access as official royal photographers.
View never-before seen photos of the People’s Princess
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Jayne Fincher, the only female royal photographer working with the explicit approval and full cooperation of Buckingham Palace, snapped her first picture of the 19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer in 1980. In 1997, she was still photographing the princess just one month before her death and produced some of the most famous, and telling, images of her funeral. In the process, she created one of the largest and most dramatic set of photographs of the most photographed woman in the world.
Audio excerpts from other Diana books:
From “Diana: Her New Life”
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From “Diana: Her True Story”
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(Clips Courtesy Simon & Schuster)
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“Diana: Portrait of a Princess” features more than 500 snapshots, portraits, candids and outtakes of Princess Diana and the extended royal family. The collection, 75 percent never before published, celebrates the life of Diana upon the first anniversary of her untimely death. Here is Diana the fiancee, wife and ex-wife as well as Diana the philanthropist, ambassador, mother and fashion muse.
Included in the book, published by Simon & Schuster Editions in association with Callaway Editions, is intimate text including anecdotes taken from more than 18 years of royal access, including Fincher’s recollection of Diana:
“And then there was her unforgettable charm and immense physical beauty … male colleagues always called her Blue Eyes and that’s my most vivid memory of her — those enormous cornflower-blue eyes. I miss her.”
Related stories:
Diana investigation nears October conclusion
Diana investigation nears October conclusion
Driver appears to be at fault, but questions linger
By CNN Interactive Writer John Christensen
(CNN) — The French investigation into the accident that killed Princess Diana, her companion Dodi Fayed and the driver of their car, Henri Paul, and injured bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones is not expected to be completed until October.
In the first days after the accident, speculation centered on the horde of photographers pursuing the couple’s limousine on August 31, 1997, when it crashed at high speed in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris.
It was reported that the limousine was chased by one or more cars and at least one motorbike, and that it may have been sideswiped by yet another vehicle.
But tests revealed that the alcohol in Paul’s blood was three times higher than the level at which one is considered to be drunk under French law.
Later tests confirmed that Paul had been in the midst of a bout of “moderate chronic alcoholism for at least a week,” and that his blood also contained the antidepressant Prozac and tiapride, a drug used to combat alcoholism.
That he was both drunk and speeding would seem to be enough to pin the blame on Paul. That impression was deepened when it was learned that Paul was not a chauffeur, but the deputy security chief of The Ritz hotel. The hotel is owned by Fayed’s father, Mohamed Al Fayed, who also owns Harrods department store in London.
Nevertheless, there have been a number of interesting developments this year as Judge Herve Stephan has conducted his investigation:
- February 2 : A British tabloid publishes photos of a white Citroen AX that it says might have been involved in the crash. Investigators suspect that the Mercedes driven by Paul might have grazed a white car before crashing but believe it to be a Fiat Uno. They say they have the “most extreme reservations” that the Citroen was involved.
February 12 : Al Fayed tells a London paper that he believes the crash “was not an accident” and that the deaths were part of a conspiracy to keep Diana from marrying his son. Al Fayed doesn’t say who he thinks is responsible but claims that many in the British “establishment” were happy when Diana and his son died.- February 13 : Investigators working for Al Fayed claim to have found the white Fiat involved in the crash. Although the police say they had examined the car before and eliminated it from suspicion, they agree to re-examine it.
- March 12 : Al Fayed meets with Stephan and, according to one of his attorneys, is “satisfied by everything” the judge tells him. The attorney also says that Al Fayed requested “additional investigations,” and wants to know more about the white Fiat theory.
- June 5 : The judge begins questioning more than 20 witnesses involved in the case, including Diana’s mother, Frances Shand Kydd. Al Fayed is among those attending, a day after issuing a statement saying he is “determined to get to the truth” about the accident. “I will not rest until I am satisfied that what happened was God’s wish and not the wish of someone else,” he says.
Late June : A book published by two reporters from the French magazine L’Express says police have found little evidence that the pursuing photographers caused the accident. But the authors do conclude that the frenzied photographers were more interested in taking pictures of the victims than in helping them. Nine photographers and a press motorcyclist are officially being investigated.- Early July : Rees-Jones asks Stephan to determine whether Paul was competent to drive the night of the accident. He also wants to know whether The Ritz knew Paul was an alcoholic and why Paul was chosen to drive the limousine when he was off-duty and lacked a chauffeur’s permit. Speculation has it that Rees-Jones, who quit his job with Al Fayed, may be preparing to sue his former employer for the injuries he suffered in the crash. A friend says Rees-Jones quit his job because he “felt pressured to remember the events in a way in which they might not necessarily have happened.”
- July 28 : A chauffeur who regularly drove the limousine tells Stephan that the car had persistent braking problems and “didn’t hold the road well.” Olivier Lafaye says one of the owners of Etoile Limousine told him, “Be very careful with this car. Don’t brake suddenly or the back end will swing out.” Lafaye says Paul didn’t know that, and had never driven the car before. “You had to know it well to drive it safely,” he says.
- August 3 : A former French marine tells a British newspaper, “My driving may have caused (the limousine) to swerve and lose control.” Francois Levistre, now a truck driver, says he was 10 meters behind the limousine in his gray Ford, and speeding, when the accident occurred. The paper says Levistre was interviewed by French investigators after the crash and at that point had denied any involvement.
CTV.ca – 2007 Diana Concert
A Concert for Diana
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Concert for Diana: Latest Headlines
Updated Sun. Jul. 1 2007 6:21 PM ET
As the news rolls in and the excitement builds for one of the summer’s hottest events, we’ll keep you posted on all the latest developments.
Top Five Moments
Here’s the top five moments of the concert from our vantage point here at CTV.ca.
Concert for Diana an exuberant celebration
Ten years after her untimely death, the most popular royal of the 20th century wwas remembered by some of England and the world’s most well-known pop acts.
Who Performed What?
Check out the rundown of artists and what they each performed during this memorable day
International Stars Join Concert for Diana as More Tickets are Announced
Anastacia, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, Donny Osmond and Jason Donovan will be appearing in a special musicals medley which Andrew Lloyd Webber has put together for Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium on 1st July.
Diana’s sons still dwell on her death
The sons of England’s Princess Diana said in a television interview that they still think about their mother’s death all the time.
Nelly Furtado Added to “Concert for Diana” Line-up
Nelly Furtado will celebrate Canada Day on CTV’s broadcast of the “Concert for Diana” as one of five more acts announced for the greatly- anticipated memorial concert event.
CTV Named Exclusive Canadian Broadcaster of The Concert for Diana, July 1
As the exclusive Canadian broadcaster of Concert for Diana, CTV will connect Canadians with an expected worldwide audience of half a billion households.
JULY 1, 2007 Wembley Stadium, LONDON, ENGLAND
“The Concert for Diana” was an event that honoured the life and legacy of Princess Diana on the tenth anniversary of her tragic death.
It would have been her 46th birthday.
Prince William, along with his brother Harry, organized the day’s event which included performances from Elton John, Rod Stewart, Take That and Canada’s own Nelly Furtado.
Former President Bill Clinton also appeared via video message, along with others who knew Diana.
Proceeds from the concert went to charities supported by the late Princess, and to charities of which the Princes are Patrons.
“This has been the most perfect way of remembering her, and this is how she will always be remembered,” said Prince William.
If you missed any of these memorable performances, be sure to catch them all…
On Demand now …
Missed a Performance?
It was a memorable night and an unforgettable tribute to Diana’s legacy. Catch all your favorite performers and special guests On Demand now.
Stars make music at Diana concert
BBC NEWS :: Entertainment
Last Updated: Sunday, 1 July 2007, 21:54 GMT 22:54 UK
Up to 63,000 fans joined hosts Princes William and Harry at the gig, intended to celebrate Diana’s life, on what would have been her 46th birthday.
Sir Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Duran Duran and Joss Stone also joined the eclectic line-up at London’s Wembley Stadium.
It is 10 years since the princess died in a car crash in Paris in August 1997.
Prince William and Prince Harry returned to the stage at the end of Sir Elton’s final set, praising the artists for an “incredible evening”.
William, 25, called it “the most perfect way of remembering her”, adding that he hoped the concert had raised “enough money to make a difference”.
Sir Elton opened the six-hour concert with Your Song
In a televised tribute, ex-South African president Mandela praised Diana’s “energy, courage and selfless commitment” as he urged the crowd to “support the work that continues in her name”.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Bill Clinton were also among those who paid tribute to Diana in video clips during the show, along with members of a host of charitable organisations.
The event was broadcast to 140 countries, with proceeds from ticket sales going to charitable causes favoured by the princess.
Tight security
Earlier in the concert Prince Harry paid tribute to fellow soldiers serving in Iraq.
The 22-year-old had been due to be deployed in Basra this year, but military commanders decided against sending him there, deeming it too dangerous.
“I wish I was there with you. I’m sorry I can’t be. But to you and everybody else on operations at the moment, we would both like to say, stay safe,” he said.
Tight security greeted concert-goers attending the six-hour show, following recent attacks in London and Glasgow.
Sir Elton, 60, who famously performed a reworked version of Candle In The Wind at Diana’s funeral, opened the concert with a rendition of Your Song, performed in front of a giant photograph of Diana by Mario Testino.
He was followed by 80s stars Duran Duran played a trio of songs including Wild Boys – which they dedicated to the princes – and Rio, a favourite track of the late princess.
Hollywood stars including Dennis Hopper, Kiefer Sutherland and former X Files star Gillian Anderson also took part.
Film legend Hopper, 71, introduced Lily Allen who brought the crowd to their feet performing LDN and her number one hit Smile.
The princes announced plans to put on a concert last Christmas
Canadian singer Nelly Furtado also went down a storm with the crowd, including the princes, dancing throughout her three-song set.
The English National Ballet – of which Princess Diana was a patron – brought a change of pace to the day.
Their performance from Swan Lake reminded everyone of the princess’s love of the ballet.
Introducing the second part of the show, Status Quo had the crowd jumping with classic track Rockin’ All Over the World, recalling their iconic performance in front of the late princess at Live Aid in 1985.
Another rock veteran, Sir Tom Jones, thrilled the crowd with his version of Arctic Monkey’s I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor before duetting with Joss Stone on Ain’t That A Lot of Love.
Ballet stars performed an extract from Swan Lake
Will Young made a theatrical entrance. Dressed head-to-toe in white with a troupe of dancers, he sang Switch It On, before giving up the stage to Natasha Bedingfield.
The theatrical theme continued with a medley of hits from composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Led by US singer Anastacia, the medley included performances from Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman and Sound of Music star Connie Fisher.
Any Dream Will Do winner Lee Mead sang with fellow former “Josephs” Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond.
Joss Stone duetted with Sir Tom Jones to the crowd’s delight
Rod Stewart launched the third part of the day, as dusk fell on Wembley stadium.
A personal favourite of the late Princess, he sang Maggie May, Baby Jane – which he dedicated to Diana – and Sailing.
Some of Princes William and Harry’s favourites followed, with rapper Kanye West singing Gold Digger.
There was a poignant moment when P Diddy dedicated his hit track Missing You to the Princess.
Take That, who had been eagerly anticipated, did not disappoint, with their number one hit Patience, although rumours that Robbie Williams might join them on stage proved unfounded.
The evening wrapped up with a comic performance from Ricky Gervais, who was forced to improvise when technical problems caused a minor delay to Sir Elton’s closing set.
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In pictures: Concert for Diana
Last Updated: Sunday, 1 July 2007, 21:08 GMT 22:08 UK
BBC NEWS :: Entertainment
Sir Elton John opened Sunday’s Concert for Diana with a rendition of Your Song. The concert is intended to celebrate the life of the late Princess Diana, 10 years after her death.
Chart-topping 80s band Duran Duran sang a trio of tracks at Sunday’s memorial concert in London’s Wembley Stadium, including Rio – reportedly a favourite of the late princess.
Singer Lily Allen had the crowd on their feet with hit track Smile. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to charitable concerts favoured by Diana, Princess of Wales.
Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi (l-r) were among an eclectic bill at Sunday’s concert – a line-up inspired by the musical taste of Diana and her sons, Princes William and Harry.
The line-up included contemporary stars like The Feeling, Orson and rappers Pharrell Williams and P Diddy. The princes said the concert should celebrate Diana’s life “with music”.
Black Eyed Peas star Fergie gave a glamorous turn in the first part of the concert. She dedicated Boys Don’t Cry – “a song about hope” – to the late Diana, Princess of Wales
Prince William showed off his dance moves during Nelly Furtado’s performance of her hit track Maneater. The concert was also attended by his ex-girlfriend Kate Middleton.
Singer Nelly Furtado’s three-song set had the crowds on their feet at the revamped Wembley Stadium, on what would have been Princess Diana’s 46th birthday.
The late Princess Diana trained as a ballet dancer and went on to become patron of the English National Ballet. Members performed extracts of Swan Lake.
Sir Tom performed an Arctic Monkeys’ cover, before duetting with Joss Stone on Ain’t That A Lot of Love. “It’s wonderful feeling being here,” he said. “This is a wonderful tribute.”
Former Pop Idol winner Will Young performed in a white suit, flanked by female singers. The concert took place amid tight security, following recent attacks in London and Glasgow.
British Princes Honor Diana With Concert
Associated Press
By RAPHAEL G. SATTER 07.01.07, 4:24 PM ET
Waving their arms in the air with 70,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, princes William and Harry celebrated the life of their mother, Princess Diana, on what would have been her 46th birthday Sunday at a concert they organized.
William, 25, rocked his hips as Canadian pop star Nelly Furtado belted out her song “Man Eater” – to the embarrassment of younger brother Harry, who shook his head and laughed.
Harry, 22, said they asked Elton John to play “Candle in the Wind,” the song he sang at Diana’s 1997 funeral in Westminster Abbey. Originally about Marilyn Monroe, its lyrics were reworked in tribute to Diana and it became a worldwide No. 1 hit that same year.
“This evening is about all that my mother loved in life: her music, her dance, her charities and her family and friends,” William told the crowd, thanking them and millions more who watched the show on television.
Security for the event was increased after the discovery of two unexploded car bombs in central London on Friday and an attack on Glasgow airport on Saturday where a Jeep Cherokee slammed into the main terminal and burst into flames. At least 450 officers patrolled the concert.
The memorial concert mixed rock, pop, hip hop and classical ballet and featured some of Diana’s favorite acts including Duran Duran and Tom Jones. In honor of her love of dance and theater, there was a performance of an extract from “Swan Lake” by the English National Ballet and songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Younger artists such as Kanye West, Joss Stone and Lily Allen also performed.
William’s former girlfriend Kate Middleton attended the concert, further fueling rumors that the couple, who announced their split in April, have reconciled.
Diana died Aug. 31, 1997, along with her boyfriend Dodi Fayed and their driver when their Mercedes crashed inside the Pont d’Alma tunnel with media photographers in hot pursuit.
The princes have said that the memorial concert was intended as a celebration of their mother’s life.
Weeks of soggy weather lifted as the sun peeked out from behind gray clouds rolling over the newly built glass-and-steel stadium – Britain’s largest – which usually hosts soccer games.
“This is not an exercise in nostalgia, this is a party!” director and actor Dennis Hopper said, introducing Allen, the British singing star who performed a cheery rendition of her chart-topper “Smile.”
The crowd cheered as John played the piano and sang “Your Song” – and they were on their feet as the princes introduced Duran Duran.
“Pray for sun!” lead singer Simon LeBon told the crowd as the band broke into “Sunrise,” followed by “Rio,” which they dedicated to the late princess.
Harry added a special message for his army unit, currently serving in Iraq.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to say hi to all the guys in A Squadron of the Household Cavalry, who are serving out in Iraq at the moment,” he said. “I wish I was there with you. I’m sorry I can’t be. But to all of those on operations at the moment, we’d both like to say stay safe.”
Harry, a second lieutenant in the regiment, was banned from going to Iraq for security reasons.
A family of fans from Portsmouth in southern England said they had come to sample the wide variety of acts all playing under the same roof – but Diana was also in their minds.
“I was devastated,” Karen Moore, 50, a restaurateur, said of her death.
Diana is remembered for her glamour, her extensive charity work and her tempestuous marriage to Prince Charles, heir to the British throne. The pair married in 1981 in a ceremony watched by millions around the world, but divorced in 1996 after admissions of adultery on both sides.
William said the concert was a chance for people to “remember all the good things about her because she’s not here to defend herself when she gets criticized.”
Tickets for the concert cost $90 with proceeds going to causes Diana supported.
A memorial service is also planned in London on Aug. 31, the anniversary of Diana’s death.
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed
Stars pay tribute to Princess Diana
Sun Jul 1, 2007 1:20 PM EDT
By Paul Majendie and Mike Collett-White
LONDON (Reuters) – An international lineup of pop stars paid tribute to Princess Diana on Sunday at a memorial concert watched by her sons Princes William and Harry and a crowd of 60,000 at London’s Wembley Stadium.
Elton John, a good friend of the princess who sang at her funeral, kicked off the show with a rendition of “Your Song” in front of giant black and white photographs of Diana beamed on to the stage backdrop.
He was followed by veterans Duran Duran, younger acts The Feeling, Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, Lily Allen and rapper Pharrell Williams and The English National Ballet, a favorite of Diana’s.
The princes organized the event to mark the 10th anniversary of their mother’s death and to celebrate her humanitarian work, which they felt had been forgotten amid negative press.
“After 10 years there’s been a rumbling of people bringing up the bad and over time people seem to forget or have forgotten all the amazing things she did,” William said before the gig, the proceeds of which go to charity.
Fans at the newly refurbished Wembley stadium agreed.
“I camped out in London for her funeral, so I really wanted to be here today. She was a caring person who always thought of others,” said Julie Rocks.
Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland called Diana a “great icon of giving,” while the princes praised their mother on what would have been her 46th birthday.
“This evening is about all that our mother loved in life — her music, her dance, her charities and her family and friends,” William, 25, said, to a standing ovation.
Harry, 22, paid tribute to his fellow soldiers serving in Iraq. The third in line to the throne had been due to be deployed in Basra this year, but military commanders decided against sending him there, deeming it too dangerous.
“I wish I was there with you. I’m sorry I can’t be … stay safe,” he said.
SECURITY TIGHT
Security at the concert was heightened after two car bombs were found on Friday in central London and two suspects rammed a petrol-filled four-wheel-drive vehicle into Glasgow airport on Saturday in what police called a terrorist attack.
The six-hour show was broadcast to 145 countries and an estimated audience of 500 million people.
Diana’s death in a Paris car crash provoked an unprecedented outpouring of grief from the normally reserved British and some commentators feared the concert could strike a mawkish note.
“There might even be a danger of the whole event descending into a cringingly sentimental affair,” The Daily Telegraph said of preparations for the music and dance extravaganza.
The event also faced competition in a packed pop calendar with fans still scraping mud off after the rain-sodden Glastonbury Festival and Al Gore staging “Live Earth” concerts on July 7 around the world to highlight the climate crisis.
William’s ex-girlfriend Kate Middleton was in the audience, amid speculation in the British media that the couple, who split up in March, might have rekindled their relationship.
Harry was joined by his girlfriend Chelsy Davy, and also in the crowd was Diana’s brother Charles Spencer, who gave the oration at her funeral which included a bitter tirade against the media who followed her every move.
© Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved.
A birthday concert fit for the People’s Princess
By Shaun Archer and Jordana Camerman
Diana’s life commemorated in July 1st mega-celebration
In addition to marking Canada’s 140th birthday, this first of July would also have been Diana, Princess of Wales’ 46th birthday. Since her death 10 years ago, Diana’s legacy of charity and kindness has continued to live on, and her sons, William and Harry, are ensuring that it will continue to do so.
In celebration of their mother’s life, the princes have organized a massive memorial concert on Diana’s birthday. The Concert for Diana will take place at London’s new Wembley Stadium, and will be broadcast live around the world.
Princes William and Harry have played an active role is planning the festivities. “We want it to represent exactly what our mother would have wanted; how she was and all that sort of thing,” Prince William has said. “We wanted to have this big concert with, you know, full of energy, full of the sort of fun and happiness which I know she would have wanted. And on her birthday as well, it’s got to be the best birthday present she ever had. And with it we can, by, the two of us organizing it…we wanted to have the fact that the evening is all about our mother. The main purpose is to celebrate and to have fun and to remember her in a fun way.”
The princes have lined up an amazing roster of internationally-known performers for the event, including Elton John, Joss Stone, Rod Stewart, Lily Allen, Duran Duran, Nelly Furtado, Brian Ferry, Tom Jones, Fergie, Kanye West, Josh Groban, and many more. [Scroll down for a complete list of performers.] The lineup reflects both the music that Diana loved, as well as some of her sons’ contemporary favourites.
Said William, “The idea is we wanted to get artists that our mother really loved, and then artists that both Harry and I enjoy, and in the middle with the [English National] ballet and Andrew Lloyd Webber – obviously she loved her dancing and her musicals. So with that you’ve got a sort of something different, it’s not just any old concert.”
While the concert is principally intended to be a celebration of Diana’s life, it also gives the princes an opportunity to perpetuate Diana’s devotion to helping those in need. Proceeds from the concert will be donated to various charities of which Diana and the Princes are Patrons. Diana’s charities include The National AIDS Trust, The Royal Marsden Hospital, The Leprosy Mission, Great Ormond Street Hospital and the English National Ballet.
In addition to the concert, William and Harry have organized a more solemn memorial for their mother. A church service will be held on August 31, the day she died, which both Diana’s and Charles’ families will attend. Price Harry says the service will be “very simple and nice,” and will include Diana’s favourite hymns, “all the good ones.”
Any mother would surely be proud of all the work and devotion the princes have put into the cause. The concert will air, in Canada, on CTV, and is sure to be a fitting tribute to a beloved cultural icon. As William has said, “We both want to make sure, first and foremost, [that] the evening is for her. It’s to remember her and to commemorate her life and celebrate it.”
Concert for Diana, Sunday, July 1, 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT, CTV
Elton John
Here’s a list of the performers scheduled to appear during the Concert for Diana
Duran Duran
Fergie
Rod Stewart
Published: Thursday, June 28, 2007
