- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: NOMINEES AND ORGANISERS PREPARE FOR THE MTV EUROPE MUSIC AWARDS
- Date: 12th November 1996
- Summary: METALLICA REHEARSING ON STAGE
- Embargoed: 27th November 1996 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA7CN8MOSVZL4THO02Z9Q88N4N2
- Story Text: International stars from the world of music, showbusiness and fashion will gather at Alexandra Palace in London on Thursday (November 14)) for the most prestigious event in the European music calendar, the MTV Europe Music Awards.
Over 800 production staff were put through their paces as the stars spent two days rehearsing Thursday's show.
In what promises to be a close-run contest, the world-famous band Oasis has been nominated for the three categories of Best Group, Best Rock Act and Best Song (Wonderwall).
The group Pulp is hard on their heels with nominations for Best Group, Best Song (Disco 2000) and Best Breakthrough Artist.
But leading the field with four nominations is The Fugees. Its album The Score shot to the top of the charts, yielding three hit singles, Ready or Not, Fu-Gee-La and Killing Me Softly, which won a nomination for Best Song. They are also in the running for Best Group, Best Breakthrough Artist and the MTV Amour award. The band's name is an abbreviation of "refugees", a reference to the fact that two members of the United States-based band are of Haitian descent.
Even heavy metal rockers Metallica - nominated for Best Rock Act - had to confess that The Fugees' laid-back sound appealed to them, and their bassists spent time backstage exchanging tips.
The star host for the evening is Robbie Williams, ex-singer with the now disbanded boy-band Take That. Williams is currently recording a solo album, but told Reuters that his ambitions went beyond music to acting, script writing and more presenting.
Both The Fugees and Metallica are on the bill with live performances on Thursday night, as well as George Michael, Boyzone with Peter Andre, Garbage, and Bryan Adams.
Joaquin Cortes, the flamenco dancer, Formula One World Champion Damon Hill and team mate Jacques Villeneuve, Neneh Cherry, Jarvis Cocker and Jamiroquai will appear as guest presenters.
Special guests include Inxs, Gina G, East 17 and Dog eat Dog. The fashion world will be represented by Georgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Jean Paul Gaultier and model Jerry Hall.
The post-show party promises to be a lively affair with performances from Kenny Rogers, Tammy Wynette and Glen Campbell.
There could be some love interest at the party, as Jungle supremo Goldie may meet up with old flame Bjork, and Michael Hutchence runs the risk of running into former girlfriends Helena Christensen and Kylie Minogue when he arrives with current partner Paula Yates.
The MTV European Awards are still young, this year is only the third year it has taken place. In 1995 the event took place at the Zenith nightclub in Paris, and in 1994 the first ever MTV Europe Awards were spectacularly staged in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate. The event will go out live on the MTV network to more than 265 million households worldwide.
Nominations list: Best Group The Fugees Smashing Pumpkins Oasis Garbage Pulp Best Rock Act Metallica Oasis Die Toten Hosen Bon Jovi Smashing Pumkins Best Song Oasis - 'Wonderwall' Alanis Morissette - 'Ironic' The Fugees - 'Killing Me Softly' Garbage - 'Stupid Girl' Pulp - 'Disco 2000' Best Male Artist George Michael Beck Eros Ramazzotti Nick Cave Bryan Adams Best Female Artist Alanis Morissette Bjork Neneh Cherry Joan Osborne Toni Braxton Best Breakthrough Artist Garbage The Fugees Pulp Skunk Anasie The Cardigans Best Dance Act The Prodigy Los Del Rio Robert Miles Everything But The Girl Mark Morrison MTV Amour Award The Fugees TLC George Michael Madonna (with Massive Attack) D'Angelo 'Free Your Mind' Award; The award is based upon the ideals of MTV's global 'Free Your Mind Campaign' which aims to encourage freedom from all kinds of intolerance and prejudice. The 'Free Your Mind' award highlights these principles at the MTV Europe Music Awards and is intended for any individual or organisation which exemplifies these ideals. Last year this award was presented to Greenpeace by George Michael. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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