SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2016 ’s husband, manager Rene Angelil dies

eline Dion’s husband Rene Angelil, who discovered the Canadian pop diva and Clong managed her career, died Thursday aged 73, after a struggle with cancer. Dion announced his passing in a Twitter message, saying: “Rene Angelil passed away this morn- ing at his home in Las Vegas after a long and courageous battle against cancer.” A spokesman for the singer, Marc Olivier, said more information would be given in the com- Canadian singer ing days, but for now the family wished to be Celine Dion and left to mourn in private. husband Rene News of Angelil’s death triggered an out- Angelil pose upon pouring of sympathy from Dion’s fans, with arrival at the Palais the singer’s name trending on Twitter world- des Festivals in wide. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted Cannes, southern his condolences to Dion and to Angelil’s six , in this children, including three from a previous mar- January 26, 2008, riage. Angelil’s home city of file photo. announced that flags would be flown at half mast in his honor, as mayor Denis Coderre For me, it was the most beautiful voice in the him,” Dion once said. “Ninety-nine point nine paid tribute to “a monument of the entertain- world,” he would recall in interviews. The busi- percent of what’s happened to me (my suc- ment world.” nessman set out to make Dion the biggest cess) is because of Rene.” In 1994, when she Born in to Lebanese-Syrian immi- singer in the world. His protegee and future was 19 and he was 45, the couple married in grants, Angelil started out in music dabbling wife went on to become one of pop’s music’s an extravagant wedding ceremony that was in yeye-French 60s music-before trying his best-known voices, winning five Grammy televised live in Canada, and splashed all over In this July 25, 2001 file photo, singer hand at comedy, and finally settling on a awards including for the “Titanic” theme song glossy magazines. Celine Dion and her husband, Rene career in music management. As a talent “My Heart Will Go On,” and collaborating with “My mother wanted to kill him,” Dion said Angelil, hold their six-month-old son Rene- agent, he signed one of the biggest names in stars from Stevie Wonder to Barbra Streisand. later. Eventually the couple landed in Las Vegas Charles after his baptism at Notre-Dame Quebec music, Ginette Reno, but the arrange- where Dion played nearly 1,000 shows, earning Bascilica in Montreal. — AP/AFP photos ment ended abruptly in 1981, leaving Angelil ‘All my life’ her more millions. Their fairytale life, however, Today she described dealing with the pending destitute and desperate. Just then, another Behind the scenes, Angelil invested Dion’s took a turn when Angelil was diagnosed with loss of “the only boyfriend I’ve ever had” and opportunity arose. At age 12, Dion had record- earnings from concerts and 220 million throat cancer in 2013. A year later he stepped “the leader of the band all my life.” In a soft ed a demo tape with her mother and sent it to albums sold worldwide in restaurants, dance down as Dion’s manager-a position he held for voice, she recalled: “I’ll say, ‘You’re scared? I Angelil. He was so struck by her voice that he clubs and golf courses. He launched clothing more than 30 years. After taking a break from understand. Talk to me about it,’” pausing signed her to an exclusive management con- lines, perfumes and other Dion branded mer- performing to care for her husband, Dion before adding: “And Rene says to me, ‘I want to tract-mortgaging his house to finance her chandise, building an empire of wealth for returned to performing on the Strip in 2015 at die in your arms.’ OK, fine, I’ll be there, you’ll die debut album. “I’d never heard anything like it. them to share. “There is no other manager like Angelil’s urging. In a candid interview with USA in my arms.” — AFP David Bowie family plans private ceremony

avid Bowie’s family said Thursday it planned a private ceremony to cele- Dbrate the late rock legend, honoring his wishes to remain discreet about his death. Bowie, one of pop culture’s most influential figures whose career took him from glam rock to soul to science fiction films, died Sunday after an undisclosed 18- In this Wednesday, Jan 13, 2016 file photo, Elton John per- month battle with cancer. Few other forms at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. — AP details have emerged. “The family of David Bowie is currently making arrangements for a private ceremony celebrating the John plays musical memory of their beloved husband, father and friend,” said a statement on Bowie’s official Facebook page. tribute to Bowie in concert “They ask once again that their privacy be respected at this most sensitive of times. “We are overwhelmed by and grate- lton John didn’t just premiere tracks from his new album at ful for the love and support shown Projected photos of British pop star David Bowie used for the “Heroes” album his most recent concert, he offered a tribute to his late throughout the world.” Representatives for cover by photographer Masayoshi Sukita and a framed picture of Bowie by Efriend David Bowie. About halfway through John’s perform- the London-born artist declined to com- photographer Jimmy King are seen during a memorial event for Bowie in the ance at the intimate Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles Wednesday ment on a report in Britain’s Daily Mirror main hall of Berlin’s Hansa recording studio yesterday. night, he shared a story about Bowie, who died earlier this week. that said his body was cremated in New of mourning, with fans around the world concert to Bowie at New York’s Carnegie John said that many years ago, he was looking for a new produc- York, his adopted home, immediately after leaving flowers, candles and glitter on sites Hall had been announced just moments er and arranger to work with, “then I heard a record which blew his death. People close to him said that associated with the artist, and leading before his death. me away called ‘Space Oddity.’ “ Bowie wanted to keep his illness away musicians including Elton John and Performers for the March 31 concert, John hired Bowie’s collaborators to work on his breakthrough from the glare of 24-hour social media. He Madonna covering his songs live. “It is which sold out quickly, include Cyndi hit, “Your Song.” “I have David Bowie to thank for that,” John said. instead released a final album, “Blackstar,” important to note that while the concerts Lauper-whose flamboyant appearance in “So I’d like to dedicate this to the star man himself.” With that, on his 69th birthday on Friday in what in and tributes planned for the coming weeks the 1980s showed a clear influence of John began a rich, layered cover of “Space Oddity” before launch- retrospect was an elaborate artistic state- are all welcome, none are official memori- Bowie-and Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction, ing into “Rocket Man.” Amid a set filled with hits and guest ment on his death and nearly half-century als organized or endorsed by the family,” who brought a broader audience to alter- appearances by such artists as Demi Lovato and Shawn Mendes, career. In the words of photographer Annie the Facebook statement said. “Just as each native rock in the early 1990s. Organizers John also debuted several songs from his forthcoming album, Leibovitz, “he really curated his death.” and every one of us found something announced that the tribute would extend “Wonderful Crazy Night,” an experience he called “nerve-wrack- unique in David’s music, we welcome to a second night on April 1 at Radio City ing.” “Playing new songs for the first time is a terrifying feeling,” Huge interest in tributes everyone’s celebration of his life as they Music Hall, another prominent, but larger he said. “Thank you for being so patient.” — AP Bowie’s death triggered an outpouring see fit.” In an eerie coincidence, a tribute venue in New York. — AFP