In 1998, VH1 debuted the first annualVH1 Divas concert. The first concert, VH1 Divas Live was created to support the station's "Save The Music Foundation", and subsequent concerts in the series have also benefitted that foundation. The concerts became an immediate success and consequently VH1 Divas aired annually from 1998 - 2004.
Some of the Divas who were invited, and either declined their invitation or cancelled their appearance on the show are: Barbra Streisand - invited in 1998 and in 1999, Lauryn Hill - invited in 1998, TLC - cancelled in 1999, Christina Aguilera - invited in 2000, Britney Spears -invited in 2002 and 2004, Jennifer Lopez - invited in 2002, and Kylie Minogue - cancelled in 2004.
Gladys Knight finally appeared in the last concert (2004) after turning down VH1 repeatedly since 1999. Patti LaBelle also appeared in 2004 after turning down VH1 in 1999 and 2003. In 1999, LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross and Donna Summer all declined to participate in the show. Gladys declined her invitation because she did not like being labeled as a "Diva". Patti refused because she was just going to appear as a guest of Brandy. The reasons for Diana and Donna declining are unknown. Christina Aguilera did not appear on the show in 2000 as she had a conflicting engagement. However, Aguilera did appear on the male version of the series, VH1 Men Strike Back, a few days later.
VH1's Divas specials raise funds for the "VH1 Save The Music Foundation", a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music programs in America's public schools and to raising awareness of the positive impact that music participation has on students. Since "VH1 Save The Music" was created in 1997, more than $25 million worth of musical instruments has been donated to 1000 public schools in 80 cities, improving the lives of more than 500,000 children.
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VH1 Divas 2000: A Tribute to Diana Ross, An Honors Concert for VH1's Save the Music is the only concert of the series not to be aired live. It was recorded on April 9, 2000 at New York's Madison Square Garden and first aired on April 11, 2000. The concert had to be recorded live as Diana Ross refused to let any other artist perform during her set and due to her costume changes there was not time for her to get changed in commercials. The concert took a mammoth 6 hours to record. No official CD, DVD or VHS was ever released of this concert as Diana Ross refused to give rights for it to be published as she thought that her performances were not her best.
According to several reports, Christina Aguilera was also in talks to appear on the show that year, as she was hot off of her Grammy win for Best New Artist at the 2000 Grammy Awards. However, rumors began to emerge that Mariah Carey disapproved of Aguilera's appearance on the show and threatened to walk off if she was included. Instead, Aguilera appeared on 'Men Strike Back' later that month. However, Aguileras camp denied the rumors of a rivalry with Carey and stated that Aguilera couldn't originally appear on 'Divas' because she had been scheduled to perform on SNL.
VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin, An Honors Concert for VH1's Save the Music. This all-star tribute to Aretha Franklin at New York's Radio City Music Hall gave props to a mighty woman who has been at the centre of American music since arriving on the scene in the mid '60s.
VH1 Divas: Las Vegas, An Honors Concert for VH1's Save the Music, aired live from the MGM Grand Las Vegas. For the first time, Divas Live broadcast from a city other than New York. This time around, Las Vegas played host city to the 5th Divas concert.
Jewel & Stevie Wonder - "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life"
Mary J. Blige & Stevie Wonder - "Superwoman"
Ashanti & Stevie Wonder - "Do I Do"
Chaka Khan & Stevie Wonder - "Tell Me Something Good"
Queen Latifah & Stevie Wonder - "Living for the City"
Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé, Chaka Khan, Jewel, Ashanti & Queen Latifah - "Higher Ground"
Divas 2004
VH1 Divas: An Honors Concert for VH1's Save the Music, aired live from the MGM Grand Las Vegas on April 18th 2004. This was the final concert in the VH1 Divas Series.