Wow, those musicians really are something else aren't they? In a night that combined two of entertainment's biggest outlets, music and television, the broadcast of the American Music Awards on ABC last night was quite an event. As an awards show, the AMA's are pretty straightforward. Artists perform and artists accept awards (while the losing artists clap graciously), but the AMA's are unique in bringing together a wide range of artists from many different categories of music. For example, the list of performers included country stars Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, R&B singers Whitney Houston (who performed one of her new trademark power anthems backed by a choir), Mary J Blige and Alicia Keys, rappers Jay Z, 50 Cent and Eminem and pop singers Janet Jackson, J-LO, Shakira, Lady GaGa, the Black Eyed Peas, and the outrageous Adam Lambert (more on that later).
The big names at last night's event were Taylor Swift and Michael Jackson. Jackson won Favorite Male Artist in both the Pop/Rock and Soul/R&B categories. His brother Jermaine also took home Jackson's award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Favorite Soul/R&B Album for his Number Ones. In don't know how fair it was that one album could be nominated in two different genres, but hey, it's Michael Jackson, and no one is arguing. Even Jackson's four awards could not compete with this year's award-sweeping artist, Taylor Swift. After just taking home the big award at the CMA's two weeks ago, Swift took home five awards last night (although she didn't actually take them because she was in London and couldn't make it to the show, but accepted them over a live broadcast), including the much coveted: Artist of the Year. Her other awards included: Favorite Country Female Artist, Favorite Country Album (for Fearless), Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist, and Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist. After being announced as the big winner of the Artist of the Year award over Michael Jackson, the screen cut to an astonish Taylor on the screen, who was speechless. When she finally got some words out, she said how honored she was just to be nominated in the same category as Jackson.
The performances had quite an array of theatricality and missteps. Jennifer Lopez took a fall after jumping off a dancer's back and landing on her butt. Being the performer that she is though, she got right back up and finished her number, and as a viewer I could only watch as the cameras followed her backstage after her performance, trying to see some kind of evidence on her face on how she felt about what just happened. Whitney Houston is back, and her performance was one of the most touching of the night. While many performers focused on dancing, theatricality and gimmicks, Houston was pure vocals. It was refreshing to watch a performance, knowing that the person wasn't lip-syncing (Rihanna? It kind of looked like it...), and whose whole person evoked strength and talent. She's been away far too long.
To close the show, the AMA's chose Adam Lambert, this year's flamboyant American Idol runner-up (Winner Kris Allen was a presenter). He performed his new single For Your Entertainment, with an S&M theme that had him gyrating with a dancer's head at his crotch, and kissing one of his backup musicians. It seemed like the antics were less about the music and more about Lambert's excuse to get out all of his sexual fantasies at once. Still, if he wanted to shock and entertain people, I'm sure he succeeded.
Here is a list of last night's winners:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift
POP/ROCK
Favorite Male Artist: Michael Jackson
Favorite Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: The Black Eyed Peas
Favorite Album: Number Ones, Michael Jackson
COUNTRY
Favorite Male Artist: Keith Urban
Favorite Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Rascal Flatts
Favorite Album: Fearless, Taylor Swift
SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES
Favorite Male Artist: Michael Jackson
Favorite Female Artist: Beyoncé
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: The Black Eyed Peas
Favorite Album: Number Ones, Michael Jackson
RAP/HIP-HOP
Favorite Male Artist: Jay-Z
Favorite Album: Blueprint 3, Jay-Z
ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Favorite Artist: Taylor Swift
LATIN MUSIC
Favorite Artist: Aventura
ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC
Favorite Artist: Green Day
CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Favorite Artist: Mary Mary
SOUNDTRACKS
Favorite Album: Twilight Soundtrack
T-Mobile BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST (ALL GENRES)
Gloriana
Comments
Adam Lambert's performance was childish and a mess.
He's lost his good looks he had on Idol and I did not even hear or notice his voice. What a mess that was.
He DOES NOT represent Gay men or values. I am sure everyone who watched Idol and knew he was gay and loved him feel like he was acting and just waiting to get IN YOUR FACE and SPIT.
What was he doing? This is suppose to be about MUSIC. People will try to make out that anyone who thinks his performance was pathetic and nasty are anti-gay but not true. We all wanted him to do great and he was just over the top and it seemed like he wanted to make absolutely sure he got rid of his young female audience.
I saw him in KC at the Sprint center and he was OK. Idol gave him great resources and it is like he wants to SPIT in everyone's face. He is not a nice guy.
Gay or straight most of us do not want nasty sex smeared in our face when we are trying to watch an award show and love music.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!