Cher to receive ICON Award at 2017 BBMAs

Dick Clark Productions and ABC have announced that Cher will be honored with the prestigious ICON Award at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards. One of the most dominant figures in music and entertainment for more than six decades, Cher became the first artist to have a No. 1 single on a Billboard chart in each decade from the 1960s to the 2010s. As part of her appearance, Cher will perform her 1998 single “Believe,” from her 23rd album of the same name; the song, which spent four weeks at No. 1 and 31 weeks total on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, remains one of the best-selling singles of all time with sales of over 20 million worldwide.  The 2017 Billboard Music Awards, which mark Cher’s first awards show performance in over 15 years, will broadcast live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 21st at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT on ABC.

Previous recipients of the ICON Award include Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Prince, Stevie Wonder and Neil Diamond.

“I’m honored to receive the 2017 Billboard Music Awards ICON Award and take the stage to celebrate my love of music with my fans,” says Cher. “Seeing so many powerful artists – especially female artists emerge and take their place in history through the years has been incredible. I’m honored to be amongst the previous ICON Award winners and to celebrate this milestone achievement by performing ‘Believe’ on the show.”

“I’m honored to receive the 2017 Billboard Music Awards ICON Award and take the stage to celebrate my love of music with my fans.”

“Cher’s incredible talent has inspired both audiences and other artists for more than six decades,” said Allen Shapiro, CEO, Dick Clark Productions. “Her impact on the industry has been monumental and unlike any other. We are honored to celebrate her exceptional career with the 2017 Billboard Music Awards ICON Award and look forward to what’s sure to be an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime performance!”

Billboard Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital songs sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring and social engagement. These measurements are tracked year-round by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The awards are based on the reporting period of March 18, 2016 through March 16, 2017. Since 1940, the Billboard charts have been the go-to guide for ranking the popularity of songs and albums, and are the ultimate measure of success in music.

Fans can still vote online and on Twitter for the Billboard Chart Achievement Award Presented by Xfinity and Top Social Artist. Voting for both categories will remain open until May 21st at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT (one hour into the live broadcast).

Tickets are now on sale for the 2017 Billboard Music Awards at axs.com.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com