MTV have booked Bennett and will show their recording session at Abbey Road Studios to remember his 'Body and Soul' duet partner at the Video Music Awards.
- Aug 24, 2011
AceShowbiz - Details of Amy Winehouse tribute at the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards have been shared. It was confirmed that the special segment will feature Tony Bennett and their session at Abbey Road Studios in London to record their duet "Body and Soul".
"It was a thrill to record with Amy Winehouse," the music vet said. "And when you listen to the recording of 'Body and Soul', it is a testament to her artistic genius and her brilliance as one of the most honest musicians I have ever known."
Amy's father Mitch also issued a statement, "Our family is honored that the VMAs are giving Amy this wonderful tribute. We know that Amy's performance of 'Rehab' at the MTV Movie Awards played an important part in Amy's worldwide success."
"Body and Soul" is one of the many collaborations in upcoming studio album "Tony Bennett: Duets II" which will come out in the United States on September 20. The song and its music video will be released by Columbia Records on September 14, which would have been Amy's 28th birthday.
The song royalties will be donated for charity to help those battling drug addiction. "It's going to a foundation that her father started to teach all the young children not to take drugs, and all the royalties of the record will go to that," Tony told MTV.
Beside remembering the life and legacy of Amy Winehouse, MTV will also salute Britney Spears. This tribute will likely get a dose of Michael Jackson, Madonna and Janet Jackson as the Southern Belle's music inspirations.
2011 MTV VMAs will be held on August 28 at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Musical performers include Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Lady GaGa, Adele, Bruno Mars, Chris Brown and Lil Wayne. Presenters include Nicki Minaj, Taylor Lautner, Drake, Joe Jonas, Jared Leto, Selena Gomez, Seth Rogen and Kim Kardashian.
A day before the awards show, there would be a benefit concert held at the House of Blues. Joe will perform along with Cobra Starship and Miguel. All ticket proceeds benefit Lifebeat and the organization's HIV/AIDS outreach and support programs.
Another pre-show will be hosted by "Wizards of Waverly Place" star Selena on the black carpet hours before the main event is kicked off. It will feature interviews with artists, sneak peek at Minaj's "Fly" music video, and live performance from the Gabe Saporta-fronted band.
