PEOPLE

THE world's most famous tenor, Luciano Pavarotti, is being joined by the biggest names in rock, pop and jazz tonight in a special…

THE world's most famous tenor, Luciano Pavarotti, is being joined by the biggest names in rock, pop and jazz tonight in a special gala event.

British stars Eric Clapton and Elton John are both on the bill at the prestigious War Child Concert in Modena, Italy, along with American film star Liza Minnelli and singer Sheryl Crow.

Singer George Michael (33) has stormed into top spot as Britain's biggest earning "young" music artist for 1996.

It is predicted that the former Wham! star will earn about £10 million this year from the release of his album Older, which has already spawned two hit singles. Michael, who has not released a record since Listen Without Prejudice Volume I six years ago, has a reported personal fortune of about £45 million.

READ MORE

In second place in the list compiled by teen magazine Smash Hits is Noel Gallagher, the inspirational songwriter behind Oasis, who is worth about £7.6 million. That compares with the £1 million his brother Liam has accumulated over the past two years.

The projected 1996 income of Dolores O'Riordan of the Cranberries is £4.5 million with Boyzone expected to earn £2.6 million.

Victor Ciorbea, the man who beat Ilie Nastase in elections for mayor of Bucharest, has offered the former tennis star a job on the city's sports and culture board.

"Nastase could be an excellent representative of the city at an international level," the mayor elect said at a news conference in a Bucharest cafe on his first public appearance since his victory.