Diana Ross to headline Nobel Peace Prize concert

[October 17, 2008]  OSLO, Norway (AP) -- Diana Ross will headline artists performing at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in honor of the 2008 laureate, Finnish peace mediator Martti Ahtisaari, organizers said Thursday.

The show's hosts, generally Hollywood superstars, are to be announced next week. Last year's show was hosted by Uma Thurman and Kevin Spacey.

The list for the Dec. 11 concert also includes Canadian singer Feist, American country singer Dierks Bentley, Mexican singer-songwriter Julieta Venegas, Nigerian star Seun Kuti, and Norway's popular singer-songwriter Marit Larsen.

"The Nobel Committee is thrilled to welcome such an impressive array of mindful and talented artists to help us spread the message of peace around the world," said Geir Lundestad, nonvoting secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. "It promises to be a spectacular evening and we encourage everyone to tune in and join us."

Ross was married to a Norwegian, the late Norwegian millionaire Arne Naess Jr., from 1985 until their divorce in 2000. They had two children. Naess died in a mountain climbing accident in 2004.

The concert is held a day after the Dec. 10 Nobel awards ceremony.

Former Finnish President Ahtisaari won the prize for his peace efforts on several continents over several decades.

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On the Net:

http://www.nobelpeaceprize.org/

[Associated Press]

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