BY M. PITTELKAU AND M. SCHACHT
Pop superstar Robbie Williams picked up a prize at the 19th Echo awards in Berlin – was it his last as an unmarried man?
The 36-year-old singer also sang ‘Morning Sun’ at the ceremony for Germany's biggest music awards on Thursday evening, where he was recognised as the best international rock/pop artist.
But Robbie didn’t bring his fiancée Ayda Field with him. “She’s in the US,” he joked with the 3,500 guests. “So come to my hotel. I’ll be waiting for you!”
Larger-than-life singer Beth Ditto (29) proved to be a highlight of the evening as she gave the audience goose bumps with her performance of ‘Heavy Cross’.
There was also a stage comeback from Britain's Sade (51).
Superstar Rihanna (22) took everyone’s breath away – no one could help but look through the gap in her low-cut green dress. Where else were they supposed to look?
Udo Lindenberg (63) gave the coolest appearance of the evening. He even took his sunglasses off to hand over an Echo to hip hop artist Jan Delay.
The appearance of rapper Sido (29) was embarrassing. He showed off with his bad boy image as he proudly showed everyone a bag of strong-smelling green leaves. It wasn’t tea!
Peter Maffay was given a gong for life achievement and Silbermond, Andrea Berg and Xavier Naidoo were also among the winners.
Full list of prize winners:
Best German rock/pop male artist: Xavier Naidoo
Best international rock/pop male artist: Robbie Williams
Best German rock/pop female artist: Cassandra Stehen
Best international rock/pop female artist: Lady GaGa
Best German rock/pop group: Silbermond
Best international rock/pop group: Depeche Mode
Best German language artist or group: Andrea Berg
Best folk music artist or group: Kastelruther Spatzen
Best German/international hip hop/urban artist or group: Jan Delay
Best German rock/alternative/heavy metal artist or group: Rammstein
Best international rock/alternative/heavy metal artist or group: GreenDay
Best German/international album of the year: Peter Fox – ‘Stadtaffe’
Best German newcomer: The Baseballs
Best international newcomer: Lady GaGa
Best German/international hit of the year: Lady GaGa – ‘Poker Face’
Best German music DVD production: Helene Fischer – ‘Zaubermond Live’
Best German live act: Silbermond (Public voting through the website of the German TV channel ARD)
Best German video: Sido – ‘Hey Du’ (Public voting through the website myvideo.de)
Most successful German producer or production team: Andreas Herbig, Peter “Jem” Seifert, Florian Fischer, Adel Tawil, Annette Humpe and Sebastian Kirchner – ‘Ich + Ich’
German critics’ prize: Jan Delay – ‘Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Soul’
Media partner of the year: SWR
Trading partner of the year: Amazon
Lifetime work appreciation: Peter Maffay
Honorary Echo for social engagement: Reamonn singer Rea Garvey and the foundation Saving an Angel
The Echos, which are awarded by the Deutsche Phono-Akademie (German Phonographic Academy), are considered as one of the most important awards in the music industry. It is orientated on chart success. A specialist jury decides on the majority of the categories.
A few of the winners didn’t turn up to the three-hour award ceremony in Berlin – Lady Gaga among others
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