Las Vegas Weekly

January 10, 2010 · 4:36 AM

Photo Gallery: Monster brings together John Legend, Stevie Wonder

By Robin Leach

John Legend and special guest Stevie Wonder at the 2010 Retailer Awards, during CES 2010, in the Paris Ballroom at the Paris on Jan. 8, 2010.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

When Monster hosts its annual Retailer Awards, this year at the Paris, during CES, it features legends in the music industry. Last year, it was Diana Ross, and this year, it was a modern legend -- John Legend. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik not only shot Friday night’s recipients, but he also provided a full report.

Monster CEO Noel Lee presented top retailers with awards for their achievements during what everyone agreed was a difficult year. Noel brought onto the stage and introduced the late Miles Davis’ wife Cheryl Davis and nephew Vincent Wilburn Jr. to greet the audience. Monster recently released a limited-edition set of earphones to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Miles’ album Kind of Blue.

Noel also introduced John, and John performed a show to a packed Paris Ballroom. His powerhouse of a band backed up his soulful music, and his voice and delivery, reminiscent of early Marvin Gaye, kept the audience rapt. The show erupted during his cover of The Beatles’ “I Want You (She’s So Heavy).”

After the set, Noel presented John with a Monster Lifetime Achievement Award before they both introduced surprise guest Stevie Wonder. The crowd jumped to its feet for the duration of the show, and a sea of cell phones went up, as people were eager to capture a shot of the two performers sitting keyboard to keyboard and performing together for this special appearance.

Steve and John performed “Ordinary People” and “My Cherie Amour” to close out the night. It’s been a packed Las Vegas agenda for John, as he was scheduled to celebrate his birthday at Haze in Aria at CityCenter last night.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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