Amy to perform at Brit awards
2008-02-20 09:41
London - Flamboyant singer-songwriter Mika, reality-show winner Leona Lewis and reformed boy band Take That were the front-runners for Wednesday's Brit Awards, the British music industry's most prestigious prizes.
But much of the anticipation focused on an artist who is not nominated for any awards - Amy Winehouse.
The troubled soul diva, who scooped five Grammy Awards last week, was due to perform alongside super-producer Mark Ronson on his reworking of The Zutons' Valerie.
The song, from Ronson's album Versions, is nominated for best British single.
Organisers would not confirm reports Winehouse also planned to sing one of the hits from her breakthrough album Back to Black.
Winehouse, 24, has had a tumultuous 12 months since she was named best female British act at last year's Brits.
Her quintuple Grammy win - which included the record of the year prize for her autobiographical single Rehab - was a rare high point in a year of erratic behaviour, cancelled concerts, tabloid headlines and drug allegations.
Winehouse spent two weeks in a rehab facility before her Grammys appearance on February 10.
International stars
She performed at the show by video link from London because of a hold-up in obtaining a US work visa.
The British equivalent of the Grammys, the Brits usually attract a sprinkling of international stars as well as top British acts.
Scheduled performers at Wednesday's ceremony, hosted by Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, include Kaiser Chiefs, Kylie Minogue and R&B diva Rihanna.
The nominated acts are a mix of the new and the nostalgic. Take That - who split in 1996 but reformed a decade later minus original member Robbie Williams - were nominated in four categories: British group, British live act, British album for Beautiful World and British single for Shine.
Beirut-born, London-based singer Mika also had four nominations, including British male solo artist, British breakthrough act, British album for Life in Cartoon Motion and British single for Grace Kelly.
Leona Lewis, winner of the TV talent contest X Factor, was in the running for British female solo artist, British breakthrough act, British album for her debut Spirit and British single for Bleeding Love.
Paul McCartney
Ronson, the Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs and Kate Nash each have three nominations.
Paul McCartney, who has spent the past week in court trying to settle his acrimonious divorce from Heather Mills, was due to perform and receive a lifetime achievement award.
The awards are run by the British Phonographic Industry Ltd, an industry association.
Most winners are selected by a vote of more than 1 000 industry members, including representatives from record companies, the media, retailers, record producers, disk jockeys and promoters.
The British single, British breakthrough act and British live act prizes are decided by public phone or online voting.
- AP