VH1 Divas 2004: The End of an Era

The 7th and final consecutive 'Divas' show aired 20 years ago today.

20 years ago today, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Cyndi Lauper, and Debbie Harry led the final roster of the original iteration of the VH1 Divas Live series. Whether it was in the air that night or not, it became the last such special for half a decade, marking the 7th year of career-making and career-defining moments from the women who have helped shape popular music as we know it today, whether they were cemented then or since been cemented. 

Alongside the initial quad, a host of other divas joined the pack. Jessica Simpson, Joss Stone, Ashanti, and Eve were also billed as headliners. Legends Sheila E. and Tom Jones were also added to the roster. And the burgeoning Pussycat Dolls with Carmen Electra, who made their U.S. television debut during the show. Though Debbie Harry was billed as a solo act, the rest of Blondie also joined her for moments of the show. 

Kylie Minogue was originally announced as a headliner for the show, but withdrew soon after. The show was an 80’s-geared event, and Minogue wanted to focus on her current releases instead of her catalog. It’s incredible to consider what her presence may have meant to her US impact, since her explosive “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” moment was passing and 2003’s Body Language didn’t resonate in the U.S. market the way 2001’s Fever did. 

A series of vignettes from a host of names including Chaka Khan, Britney Spears, and Carly Simon considered what it means to be a diva, who are divas, and more.

A few standout moments from the show:

Joss Stone, who turned 17 exactly 1 week before the show, showed up and showed the entire fuck out. Her vocal and soulful capacity at such a young age were staggering. She held her own alongside legends Debbie Harry and Gladys Knight, with minimal effort. 

Jessica Simpson (who was in the middle of her Newlyweds era) also joined Joss and Gladys for a medley of Pips classics. Gladys Knight had her own Vegas show at the time, so she couldn’t participate in the finale, but she did glide through for a solo performance and the aforementioned medley.

Legends and friends Patti LaBelle and Cyndi Lauper for a medley of Cyndi’s classics “Time After Time” and “True Colors.” It isn’t, but should be regarded as one of the great Divas performances.

Eve became the second female rapper to grace the Divas stage, joining Debbie Harry for the classic “Rapture,” but inserting her own verse into the iconic early rap classic. 

Of course, the TV debut of The Pussycat Dolls, who were in the midst of an evolution, was a big deal. They reunited with Carmen Electra, who had served as their lead performer for many early shows. You’ll also see solos from soon-to-be-leader Nicole Scherzinger and unapologetic belter Melody Thornton. the televised performance helped fuel their progression from dance troupe to full-blown pop music fodder. Their debut album PCD was released a year and a half later in September 2005.

VH1 Divas 2004 concluded with a big 80’s finale. The performers of that era trotted out their classics, including the legendary Sheila E popping up for a spirited performance of “The Glamorous Life.” Ashanti tackled Chaka Khan’s “Ain’t Nobody,” Joss Stone seized Sting’s “If You Love Someone (Set Them Free),” The Pussycat Dolls snapped “Girls On Film,” Tom Jones puckered up for Prince’s “Kiss,” and, a decade and a half before Kygo got his hands on Whitney’s 1991 vocals, Jessica Simpson breathed some welcomed life into Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love.” The finale culminated in a reprise of Patti LaBelle’s explosive “New Attitude.” 

It would be 5 years before VH1 tried another Divas show, and the reincarnations occasionally had spark, but they never matched the magic of the original 7 shows. Though no portions of VH1 Divas 2004 have ever been officially released (making it the second of the initial 7 VH1 Divas shows to remain 100% unreleased), the entire show has thankfully popped up on Chinese video site BiliBili. 

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV15E41127RY/ 

Full show setlist:

1. Patti LaBelle, Jessica Simpson, and Cyndi Lauper – "Lady Marmalade"

2. Debbie Harry and Eve – "Rapture"

3. Joss Stone – "Fell In Love With A Boy"

4. Ashanti – "Medley: I'm Coming Out / Mo' Money Mo' Problems"

5. Patti LaBelle – "New Day"

6. Cyndi Lauper and Sheila E. – "Stay"

7. Cyndi Lauper and Patti LaBelle – "Medley: Time After Time / True Colors"

8. Jessica Simpson – "Take My Breath Away"

9. Jessica Simpson – "Angels"

10. Patti LaBelle – "Love, Need And Want You"

11. Patti LaBelle – "If Only You Knew"

12. Patti LaBelle – "You'll Never Walk Alone"

13. Tom Jones and The Pussycat Dolls – "Medley: Tainted Love / You Can Leave Your Hat On"

14. Blondie – "Good Boys"

15. Blondie and Joss Stone – "One Way Or Another"

16. Gladys Knight – "The Way We Were"

17. Gladys Knight Medley:

    1. Gladys Knight and Joss Stone – "I Don't Want To Do Wrong"

    2. Gladys Knight and Jessica Simpson – "Midnight Train To Georgia"

    3. Gladys Knight, Jessica Simpson, and Joss Stone – "I've Got To Use My Imagination"

18. 1980s Medley Finale:

    1. Cyndi Lauper – "Girls Just Want To Have Fun"

    2. Sheila E. – "The Glamorous Life"

    3. Blondie – "Call Me"

    4. Ashanti – "Ain't Nobody"

    5. Joss Stone – "(If You Love Someone) Set Them Free"

    6. Jessica Simpson – "Higher Love"

    7. The Pussycat Dolls – "Girls On Film"

    8. Tom Jones – "Kiss"

    9. Patti LaBelle – "New Attitude"

19. Patti LaBelle, Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry, Joss Stone, Jessica Simpson, Sheila E., Ashanti, and The Pussycat Dolls – "New Attitude (Reprise)"