[12-09-97 Tues] The young Country artist LeAnn Rimes took home six awards on Monday night at the Billboard magazine's Music Awards in Las Vegas, including Artists of the Year, Album of the Year, Top Country Artist, Country Album and Country Singles Artist. Not happy? Don't blame the people behind the scenes. Unlike usual music awards events, such as the MTV or Grammy awards, awards are based on actual album sales, highest chart positions, and most airplay - not on judges' picks.
Coming in with the second largest number of awards was R&B artist Toni Braxton. R&B artist Dru Hill won four awards, and Puff Daddy won three awards. The Spice Girls, who performed at the opening of the show, won four awards including Top Album, New Artist, and Hot 100 Singles Group. Elton John also won four awards, including a special award for the biggest selling single of all time, "Candle In The Wind '97/Something About The Way You Look Tonight," which was also the Top Single.
Finally, into alternative music, where there weren't as many winners. Sublime won Top Modern Rock Artist, beating Bush, Live, and the Wallflowers. Third Eye Blind made a whipped cream sculpture on the podium when taking their award for modern rock track of the year. If that doesn't make you happy, the night still had a couple highlights. Such presenters included Maureen McCormick and Evander Holyfield. And of course, veteran Saturday Night Live cast member David Spade, who hosted the whole event, had a couple things to say about the people who didn't make it: On Prodigy, "They couldn't be here tonight - they're in hell with Satan discussing plans for 1998." On Oasis, "They sent a telegram that said: "America, you suck. Stop. If I were there I'd huck a loogie in your face. Stop.'" And on Guns 'N' Roses, "They found a drug that makes you disappear."
Various Artists - December 09, 1997
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