LONDON, UK (IFPI) - Irish star
Ronan Keating will host the 5th IFPI Platinum
Europe Award in Brussels on 12th July, 2005. Administered by IFPI, the organisation representing the recording industry worldwide, Platinum
Europe honours artists who have sold in excess of one million albums in Europe. The biennial Award ceremony takes place in front of a specially invited audience of European Commissioners, Members of the European Parliament and senior record company executives.
Ronan Keating said: "The mix of some of Europe's most popular artists and top EU decision-makers should make for a great evening. It's an honour to be the host of such a prestigious event."
At the age of 28, Keating already has an impressive chart history that includes 29 Top Ten hits. In the last decade the artist has qualified for no less than 11 Platinum Awards, seven of these with the hugely popular boy band, Boyzone, and a further four as a successful solo artist. His most recent Platinum-selling album "Ronan Keating - 10 Years of Hits" was released last year.
In agreeing to compere the Platinum Europe Award, Keating follows in the footsteps of previous hosts Jean Michel Jarre and Phil Collins.
Platinum Europe celebrates the value of music, as well as the remarkable creativity and diversity of musical talent in Europe. The Platinum Europe Award committee is chaired by Jean-François Cecillon, Chairman and CEO of EMI Music Continental Europe. Qualifying artists from around Europe will attend the 2005 Awards ceremony at Hotel Le Plaza in Brussels on 12th July.
Italian artist Zucchero and Norwegian singer-songwriter Lene Marlin are confirmed to perform live at the event.
Zucchero is a truly European star. While maintaining a huge fanbase in his native Italy, Zucchero's distinctive style has also attracted a strong following across continental Europe and the acclaim of some of music's most popular performers. The artist has qualified for five Platinum Awards to date and his most recent album "Zu & Co" (2003) is well on its way to selling a million copies.
Lene Marlin burst on to the European stage at the age of 18 with her Platinum-winning first album, "Playing My Game" (1999). The singer's beautiful voice and pure melodies have won her fans all across Scandinavia as well as in the UK, France and Italy. Her imminent third album, "Lost in a Moment", has established this 24 year-old artist as one of Europe's most talented singer-songwriters.
The IFPI Platinum Europe Award has become a benchmark of success for recording artists in Europe. Any artist who has sold one million albums in Europe is eligible to receive the Award. To date, a total of 748 albums from a wide range of musical genres have qualified for Platinum Awards since certifications began in 1996.
IFPI represents 1,450 major and independent record companies in 75 countries and has affiliated industry associations in 48 countries. Platinum Europe Award certifications are also open to non-members.
