Ray Charles Honored At The 1994 World Music Awards

Ray, planking during
Living For The City.

The World Music Awards (founded in 1989) is (or was?) an international awards show that annually honors recording artists based on their worldwide sales figures, which are provided by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). The awards show is conducted under the patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco. The show was staged in Monte Carlo until 2003.

Amongst the performers on 4 May 1994 were Ray Charles, Ace of Base, Garth Brooks, Gloria Estefan, Billy Joel, Kenny G., Prince, The Scorpions, Two Unlimited and Stevie Wonder.
The show was hosted by Patrick Swayze, directed by Louis J. Horvitz, and aired by ABC on May 31st.

Ray performed brilliant versions of Till There Was You and Living For The City (with a 'planking' finale; cf. photo), and scored a standing ovation.

The award was presented by INXS's Michael Hutchence and beauty queen Helena Christensen:


Till There Was You:


Living In The City:


The AP Archive also has some red carpet footage of the stars, including Ray, arriving at Sporting Club Monte Carlo.