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The Week in Germany: Culture March 30, 2007 Germany's ECHO Music Awards Honor Homegrown Talent, Bono
and the Red Hot Chili Peppers
German pop acts LaFee, Roger Cicero, Silbermond, Rosenstolz
and Tokio Hotel, along with Canadian band Billy Talent and global stars
the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eminem, Robbie Williams and Bono were among
the winners at last weekend's ECHO Awards, Germany's answer to the Grammys. Sixteen-year-old singer Lafee was named Germany's best female artist
of the year and best newcomer. Roger Cicero, who will represent Germany
at the next Eurovision song contest this spring in Finland, was meanwhile
named best male national artist for his debut album Männersachen
(It's a Man Thing). He was beaten out by LaFee, however, in the best national
newcomer category. Presented at a televised ceremony in Berlin on Sunday night, the ECHO
awards are based primarily on sales figures and honor artists in 24 categories.
Awarded since 1992 by the German Phono Academy, they recognize talent
from Germany and abroad as well as key players within the German music
industry.
The band Silbermond, from the southeastern German state of Saxony, received
two ECHO awards - their song "Das Beste" (The Best) was named
hit of the year and they were voted best live national act by German MTV
viewers. Canadian band Billy Talent was another double winner, landing the best
new international artist in the rock-alternative category and best international
newcomer awards. Bono received an honorary prize for his global activities, especially
fighting poverty, as did Yusuf alias Cat Stevens for his life's work and
for being an ambassador between cultures. Among the other winners were the Red Hot Chili Peppers (group international
rock/pop), Robbie Williams (best international artist), Katie Melua (female
international rock/pop), Eminem (international hip hop/R&B) and Pink
Floyd (music DVD).
Perennially popular veteran duo Rosenstolz was named German band of the
year and the more embryonic-looking yet red-hot Tokio Hotel won best national
video, as selected by German VIVA viewers, for "Der Letzte Tag"
(The Last Day). Past ECHO winners include multicultural German singer Xavier Naidoo (best
male artist 2006), German pop legend Herbert Grönemeyer, Madonna,
Carlos Santana, Coldplay, Bob Geldof, Queen, and German bands Wir sind
Helden and Rammstein. According to the ECHO website, some 1.5 million euros in funds have been
collected through the awards and donated to charities for music therapy
and children. Links:
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