HispanicBusiness

Latin music’s preeminent awards ceremony dazzles viewers with spectacular lineup of star performers

Miami, FL--(HISPANIC PR WIRE)--February 24, 2005--In a sensational three-hour show packed with international superstars, Univision revealed the winners of the 17th edition of “Premio Lo Nuestro a la Música Latina” Latin music awards. Marc Anthony (four awards), Paulina Rubio (three awards including a special recognition) and Sin Bandera (three awards), topped the list of Latin music recording artists who received the prestigious statuette. Other winners included Alicia Villareal (two awards in the Mexican Regional genre), Chayanne, Celia Cruz (posthumously), Juanes, Banda El Recodo, Carlos Vives, and Marco Antonio Solís. “Premio Lo Nuestro 2005” aired LIVE on the Univision Network tonight.

Amidst the roar of thousands of cheering fans, pop idol Chayanne, who later received the Best Pop Male Artist award, opened the show with a stirring rendition of his romantic ballad “Cuidarte el Alma,” nominated for Pop Song of the Year. Then, with the sold-out American Airlines Arena audience already at a fever’s pitch, Spanish sensation David Bisbal’s explosive performance –featuring a Flamenco-dancing former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres– brought down the house. The popular duo Sin Bandera, a winner in all three categories in which it was nominated (Best Pop Album, Best Pop Group or Duo, and Pop Song of the Year), was also on hand to sing the theme song of the blockbuster novela, “Amor Real.” One of the evening’s highlights was Paulina Rubio’s rhythm-packed, spectacular medley of six of her biggest hits –including “Y Yo Sigo Aquí,” and “Dame Otro Tequila”– during which she shared the stage with mariachis, a gospel group, and a marching band. In addition to winning the Best Pop Female Artist and Best Music Video categories, Rubio received the “Jóvenes con Legado” (Legendary Young Artists) award, a special recognition given to artists who launched their careers at an early age and went on to achieve extraordinary success as adults. An unexpected treat for “Premio Lo Nuestro” viewers was the collaboration between renowned Spanish singer/songwriter Alejandro Sanz and reggaeton star Don Omar (winner of Best Urban Male Artist), who teamed up on stage for the first time ever to perform a unique, high-energy version of Sanz’s hits “Try to Save Your S’ong” and “Dile.” Other performers included young rocker Julieta Venegas, Norteño super-band Los Tigres del Norte and, in a spectacular production that featured an entrance in a flying red Lamborghini, reggaeton artist Daddy Yankee, who also took home the Best Urban Album award.

The evening’s final number was a heartfelt performance by the legendary Mexican band Los Temerarios, recipient of this year’s “Premio a la Excelencia” lifetime achievement award. This prestigious special recognition was presented to the leaders of the band, brothers Adolfo and Gustavo Ángel, by Spanish-speaking television’s most popular and enduring figure Don Francisco, host of Univision Network’s “Sábado Gigante.”

In addition, world-famous salsa star Marc Anthony thanked the public for his four awards via satellite from Spain. He won in the categories of Best Tropical Album, Best Tropical Male Artist, Tropical Song of the Year, and Tropical Salsa Artist of the Year.

Before the show, the red carpet was replete with some of the most popular and glamorous stars of the Hispanic entertainment world including: Obie Bermudez, Giselle Blondet, Cecilia Bolocco, Maite Delgado, Eugenio Derbez, Adriana Fonseca, Luis Fonsi, Don Francisco, Cristian de la Fuente, Andres Garcia Jr., Francisco Gattorno, Edith González, René Laván, Melina León, Víctor Manuelle, Roberto Palazuelos, Banda El Recodo, Angélica Rivera, Rosalyn Sánchez, Tiare Scanda, Mariana Seoane, Carolina Tejera, Dayanara Torres, Alicia Villareal, Susan Vohn, and Laura Zapata. The star-studded arrivals were aired live on the Univision Network from 7-8 pm ET/PT (6-7 pm Central/Mountain) in a red carpet special titled “Noche de Estrellas” (Night of Stars).