Ailing Vandross tops American Music Awards

Soul singer Luther Vandross, who is recovering from a debilitating stroke that threatened to end not only his career but his life, has won a leading two American Music Awards.

The 52-year-old singer can speak and walk with assistance, but representatives recently said he remains far from fully recovered. He was honoured as best male R&B performer and favourite soul-R&B album for his most recent CD, Dance with My Father, which was completed shortly before his stroke in April.

Mary Vandross, his mother, accepted the male performer award on his behalf.

“I’m so very sorry that Luther cannot be here tonight in person,” she told the crowd in Los Angeles last night, after a brief moment of tearful speechlessness. “I’m here to represent him and say thanks to all of you who made this possible.”

The Shield star Michael Chiklis walked into the audience to present the second award to the elderly woman, who had difficulty climbing the stage steps the first time.

Tough-guy rapper 50 Cent also won two awards for best male rap artist and best rap-hip-hop album for Get Rich or Die Tryin’ a gritty CD about his many brushes with death on the street.

50 Cent, who often wears a bullet-proof vest, has been shot nine times and stabbed. Born to a teenage mother who dealt drugs and was killed when he was eight, he started dealing drugs before he was a teenager.

Alabama collected its 23rd American Music Award, this one for favourite country group. The quartet, which is currently on its farewell concert tour, has more AMA wins than any other performer – followed by Michael Jackson with 21 and Kenny Rogers with 19.

The late soul songstress Aaliyah was honoured as best female R&B artist, her third American Music Award since she died in a plane crash in 2001.

Missy Elliott was late picking up her trophy for female rap-hip-hop artist.

“Somebody stole my limo, but I’m here now,” she said, taking the stage to collect her prize later in the show. “I’ll need a ride home. Can somebody get me back to the hotel please?”

MTV’s Newlyweds pop stars Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson announced the award for female country artist, which Faith Hill won.

“All I’ve ever wanted to do is just stand on-stage and sing and you fans have made it possible time and time again,” said Hill, who has four previous American Music Awards.

Her household received a second award when husband Tim McGraw won favourite male country artist. They also won separate American Music Awards together in 2001 and 2002.

Toby Keith’s Unleashed won him his first American Music Award for country album.

Linkin Park won the alternative artist category, while gospel star Steven Curtis Chapman was victorious in the contemporary inspirational class.

Other winners included Ricky Martin for favourite Latin star, and soul veterans The Isley Brothers for best R&B group. Best rap/hip-hop group went to Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz, and rock ’n’ roll mainstay Fleetwood Mac received the award for favourite rock group.

Justin Timberlake’s CD, Justified, won favourite pop album, Jennifer Lopez claimed best pop-rock female artist and pop diva Celine Dion was picked favourite adult contemporary artist.

The awards were presented during a live ABC telecast from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, with late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel as master of ceremonies.

Nominations were based on sales figures and radio play, and winners were selected by a survey of about 20,000 listeners.

Britney Spears launched the show by being lowered on-stage in a purple corset, black hot pants and thigh-high boots to start the telecast with a pyrotechnic-filled performance of her new song, Me Against the Music.

Winners from the American Music Awards:

Pop-Rock:

Male Artist: Kid Rock.

Female Artist: Jennifer Lopez.

Band, Duo or Group: Fleetwood Mac.

Album: Justified, Justin Timberlake.

Soul-R&B:

Male Artist: Luther Vandross.

Female Artist: Aaliyah.

Band, Duo or Group: The Isley Brothers.

Album: Dance With My Father, Luther Vandross.

Country:

Male Artist: Tim McGraw.

Female Artist: Faith Hill.

Band, Duo or Group: Alabama.

Album: Unleashed, Toby Keith.

Rap-Hip Hop:

Male Artist: 50 Cent.

Female Artist: Missy Elliott.

Band, Duo or Group: Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz.

Album: Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, 50 Cent.

Adult Contemporary:

Artist: Celine Dion.

Latin Music:

Artist: Ricky Martin.

Alternative Music:

Artist: Linkin Park.

Contemporary Inspirational:

Artist: Steven Curtis Chapman.