Friday, May 23, 2003 | 9:24 a.m.
What: "VH1's Divas Duets."
When: Thursday.
Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Rating (out of five stars: ****
A near-capacity crowd in the 14,000-plus seat MGM Grand Garden Arena witnessed one of music entertainment's greatest annual events Thursday night.
Some of the world's most popular female hip-hop, R&B, rock and pop artists performed on one stage in "VH1 Divas Duets," the 2003 edition of the benefit concert series that began in New York City in 1998 and moved to Las Vegas two years ago.
The purpose of the concerts is to raise funds for the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping music alive in the nation's public schools. More than $25 million have been raised toward the purchase of musical instruments.
The state of the health of music programs in schools might be in question, but there is no doubt that the music at the MGM was very much alive and kicking.
Chaka Khan, who turned 50 on March 23, proved age is no factor in the music world. If you can sing with soul and intensity, you can touch the hearts of everyone.
Whitney Houston and husband Bobby Brown electrified the fans who came primed to party. The duo strutted their stuff across stage in matching yellow and white outfits as they sang back-to-back duets, "Something in Common" and "My Love."
The audience was thrilled by the performance of Tarralyn Ramsey, who was revealed during the concert as the winner of the national Born to Diva competition, sponsored by VH1.
After the up-and-coming diva sang "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)," a 1987 hit by Houston, she was given a standing ovation that rocked the house.
Actually, the "Divas" concert turned into one long standing ovation. Half of those in the auditorium didn't want to sit down, and rightfully so.
How could you not rise to the occasion in the presence of such gifted vocalists as Celine Dion, Mary J. Blige, Jewel, Beyonce Knowles, Pat Benatar, Shania Twain and Ashanti?
The combined net worth of these musical powerhouses probably is greater than some small countries.
Among the wealthiest of those who performed was Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of the late Elvis Presley, who inherited not only the king's money but his good looks and some of his talent.
The king's princess might not possess the charisma that has kept his legacy alive long after his death in 1977, but she does have a musical voice, albeit it one that was overshadowed by the giants of the industry who surrounded her at the MGM.
Given time and motivation, Presley might turn into a formidable entertainer, but the 35-year-old scion of one of the world's most recognizable celebrities has only this year released her first CD, "To Whom It May Concern."
One thing that can't be inherited is stage presence. Only time will tell whether she will remain a lightweight in the music world, or a heavyweight of her father's caliber.
Queen Latifah, the host of this year's concert, is a heavyweight.
One of the rap world's top female entertainers, Latifah has recorded six albums, won a Grammy Award in 1998 for Best Rap Solo, and appeared in more than a dozen movies, including last year's "Chicago," for which she received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress.
Latifah opened the "Divas" concert in dramatic fashion, riding in on a motorcycle, and she kept the evening moving quickly with minimal dialogue as she introduced the series of featured performers.
Jewel and Beyonce wasted no time launching into "Proud Mary," the Tina Turner classic.
Dion followed with a solo, one of her latest hits, "Have You Ever Been in Love?"
Khan performed two solos, her 1984 hit "I Feel for You" and another song by Houston, "I'm Every Woman."
Blige sang three solos, "Real Love," "Love No Limit" and "Family Affair."
Ashanti performed with the Isley Brothers, "Who's That Lady?"
Beyonce returned to perform a solo, "Dangerously in Love."
Presley sang a solo, "Lights Out," and then joined Benatar, a four-time Grammy winner, for a duet in Benatar's 1979 hit, "Heartbreaker."
Backing up Presley and Benatar on guitar was Benatar's husband, musician-songwriter-producer Neil Giraldo.
The highlight of the concert was the finale, a tribute to Stevie Wonder.
Singing duets with Wonder, all songs by the musical genius, were Twain ("Superstition"); Houston ("I Was Made to Love Her"); Beyonce ("Signed, Sealed, Delivered"); Jewel ("You Are the Sunshine of My Life"); Blige ("Superwoman"); Ashanti ("Do I Do"); Kahn ("Tell Me Something Good") and Latifah ("Living for the City.")
The only extraneous element in the lean production, about one-third of which was taken up with commercials for the live telecast by VH1, was Sharon Osbourne.
The wife of rock star Ozzy Osbourne interviewed a few of the performers as they came offstage. The bit was superfluous, adding nothing to the show.
Perhaps it was a subtle advertisement for "The Osbournes," the reality-based television series that follows the family around with a camera as they go about their daily lives. The series appears on MTV, which also produces VH1.
It was the only sour note in an otherwise sweet evening.
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