Darlene Love has said she was shaking with nerves when she picked up her Oscar earlier this year.
The singer’s life was at the centre of the film 20 Feet From Stardom, which picked up the gong for best documentary at this year’s ceremony.
She said of collecting the gong: “It scared me so much, I was shaking. My first time at the Academy Awards, and I only knew I was going the night before.
“Usually when the Best Documentary award is given out they do it in the commercial break, but this year they put it on the TV and got me to say a few words – with 60 million people watching!
“I was so scared, even though I only had 45 seconds. I figured I couldn’t thank anyone in that time, so I just sang His Eye Is On The Sparrow.”
Darlene, best known for her work with Phil Spector in the 1960s, said of life since the film was released: “I’ve worked more, and people recognise me more and more. I’ve been singing a lot, with a live band.
“Most of my work is done at Christmas time, because of Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), and it was always a job telling agents that I did work the other 11 months in a year.”
The He’s A Rebel singer added: “That’s what’s been happening this last year, having seen the film, they’re taking a chance on me. Producers and booking agents want to work with singers who can get butts on seats, and the film has helped me do that.”
For more information go to www.darleneloveworld.com. 20 Feet From Stardom will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on July 21.
