January 2003 - Platinum Europe Awards

February 6, 2003

Seven albums were certified Platinum Europe in January for the first time, with a further two awarded double Platinum.

Andrea Bocelli is in the rarely achieved position of being a major figure in both popular and classical music. His latest album, Sentimento, which has achieved sales of over one million in Europe, falls into the latter category. Recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra in London in 2000, it brings together Bocelli's tenor voice with distinguished conductor Lorin Maazel, who orchestrated the album and played solo violin. The idea behind Sentimento was to revive the early 20th century fashion for performing violin/voice duets - but with an orchestra. The album, which explores all the emotions of being in love, is the Italian artist's 7th album honoured with a Platinum Europe award.

One of Spain's premier Latin rock bands, Jarabe De Palo is awarded a first-ever Platinum Europe award for album La Flaca. The album has already gone 6x platinum in Spain, triple platinum in Italy and platinum in USA; and gold in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Mexico. The band's Pau Donés has written songs on recent albums by Ricky Martin and Celia Cruz.

Jean-Jacques Goldman is one of France's most famous artists in his own right, and has also worked with many other top-selling artists in his extensive career. Among his credits, are songs for Patricia Kaas and Florent Pagny; he wrote and produced Celine Dion's D'eux, and was artistic producer on Johnny Hallyday's Lorada. This month he receives triple Platinum honours as three albums have now hit the one million sales mark. Singulier, a 1996 release, was his first compilation album. En Passant, released in 1997, was his first solo album in ten years. Goldman's latest album Chansons Pour Les Pieds was released in 2001 in a white lacquered metal box with a 64-page booklet illustrated by artist ZEP.

Star Academy 2 wins a Platinum Europe award for Chante Les Annees 80. The album is a mix of French and English language hits of the eighties with tracks including Video Killed The Radio Star and Call Me, originally recorded by Buggles and Blondie respectively. The album has won a national platinum award in Belgium, gone triple Platinum in the band's native France and achieved gold in Switzerland.

The soundtrack from 8 Mile, the recent film featuring Eminem, has reached Platinum Europe status with sales of one million across the territory. The soundtrack features three new solo songs by Eminem plus new material from both established names and newcomers. Featured artists include Nas, Jay-Z, Gang Starr, Rakim, 50 Cent, Obie Trice, Macy Gray, Boomkat, Xzibit, Young Zee and D-12.

Avril Lavigne's rise to stardom has been speedy and sensational. In the past six months the eighteen year old from Ontario, Canada has gone double Platinum Europe with her debut album Let Go. She has also achieved 5x US platinum awards, triple platinum in the UK and single or multi platinum awards in a further 17 countries. European fans will be delighted to hear Lavigne will be playing 19 live shows on her tour across eleven European countries from March.

Pink's second album M!ssundaztood went single Platinum Europe in August last year, and since then has sold a further million copies bringing her a double Platinum Europe award in January. In Europe the album has gone national platinum or multi-platinum in nine countries, and gold in a further five.

For further information contact
Nisha Gohil, IFPI Communications Department
Tel: +44 (0)20 7878 7900