The Day The Music Died

[Gompers]

http://www.rollingst...e-year-20121118

 

 

American Music Awards Crown Justin Bieber Artist of the Year

 

Singer also wins Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Male Artist

 

by: Eric R. Danton

 

 

http://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/images/story/american-music-awards-crown-justin-bieber-artist-of-the-year-20121118/306x306/20121118-justin-bieber-x600-1353298793.jpg

2012.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

 

Justin Bieber won three times last night at the 40th American Music Awards, including Artist of the Year, and warmed up along the way from a peevish start to sounding genuinely moved by the end of the show.

 

"I'm just so blown away right now. I want to thank you for just always believing in me," he said, turning to his mother when he took the stage for the last time. "I want to thank just everyone. This is amazing . . . As long as you guys keep believing in me, I will never – " Bieber trailed off, overcome for a moment, then resumed: "I will always make you proud."

 

Bieber also won Favorite Pop/Rock Album for Believe, beating out Maroon 5, Nicki Minaj and One Direction; and Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist, besting mentor Usher, Flo Rida and Pitbull. The Canadian teen phenom sounded defiant after his first win. "This is for all the haters that thought that I was here for maybe one or two years," said Bieber, who was wearing red sequined slippers not unlike Dorothy's from The Wizard of Oz. "I feel like I'm going to be here for a very long time."

 

Sure enough, he wasn't offstage for long before returning to perform a stripped-down version of "As Long As You Love Me" seated on a stool and accompanied by a guitarist who strummed along beside him. Then he got up and kicked into a full-on production of "Beauty and a Beat" that featured a guest spot from Nicki Minaj.

 

Minaj got plenty of her own screen time: she won Favorite Hip-Hop Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album for Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, and she performed "Freedom" on a snowy set with frosted white trees. "I've gotta thank everybody that had anything to do with my career ever," she said after winning Favorite Hip-Hop Artist, singling out the devoted fans she calls "Barbz."

 

In addition to commemorating 40 years of the AMAs, last night's show included a tribute to founder Dick Clark, who died April 18th. In honor of Clark's contributions to music and pop culture, Stevie Wonder performed a medley of "Master Blaster (Jammin')," "My Cherie Amour" and "Sir Duke," and recalled meeting Clark in Philadelphia when the singer was just 13. "I remember his friendship, his kindness, and I remember his love for music and love for people," Wonder said.

 

Wonder's was just one performance on a show that was full of them, interspersed among the awards – although the showstopper had nothing to do with the trophies. K-pop star Psy closed the AMAs with his global smash "Gangnam Style," which came with an added twist: halfway through, MC Hammer showed up, resulting in a "Gangnam Style" mashup with Hammer's "2 Legit 2 Quit."

 

Usher opened the telecast with a medley that included "Can't Stop Won't Stop," amid a small army of backup dancers and a barrage of flickering lights. (He also won Favorite Soul/R&B Male Performer.) Later, Carly Rae Jepsen began her performance with new single "This Kiss," but there was no way she was getting out of there without also singing "Call Me Maybe," which she did with great enthusiasm. Jepsen also won the Old Navy New Artist of the Year award. "To the fans, I am floored! Thank you," Jepsen said.

 

After Taylor Swift bested Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood to win Favorite Country Female Artist, she performed her song "I Knew You Were Trouble," vamping through costume changes on a set with a grand staircase and a bunch of chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

 

Kelly Clarkson breezed through a medley of her biggest hits, including "Miss Independent," "Since U Been Gone" and "Stronger," while Pink re-created the turbulent sensuality of the video for her song "Try." When it was her turn, Christina Aguilera let her voice loose on "Army of Me," which flowed into "Let There Be Love." She was back a few minutes later to join Pitbull onstage after the Miami rapper performed a medley of his songs.

 

Ke$ha sang her new single, "Die Young," flanked by male dancers whose faces were painted to resemble Day of the Dead zombies. No Doubt blew through their latest single "Looking Hot," complete with jets of pyro to emphasize the hot part.

 

Linkin Park won their fifth award for Favorite Alternative Rock Music Artist, squeaking past the Black Keys and Gotye. The band later thundered through the song "Burn It Down."

 

After a series of low-key, almost disinterested acceptance speeches, Luke Bryan actually seemed excited when he won Favorite Male Country Performer, beating Jason Aldean and Eric Church. "I want to thank my wife for letting me be a big kid out on the road every week, playing shows," he said.

 

David Guetta was the first-ever winner award for Favorite Electronic Dance Music Artist, topping Skrillex and Calvin Harris. Winning the award is a sign of how big EDM has become in the United States, Guetta said by video link from a tour stop in Brazil.

[Akron162]

"Haters gonna hate", as they say. Well, i hate him more than ever now.

[Mara]

This is why I no longer listen to any commercial radio. I have never in my life heard a Bieber song and for that I am SO grateful.

[J2112YYZ]

Is the picture of that chick in the opening post supposed to be Justin Beiber?

[H. P. L.]

It's just a reflection of the times, nothing more. Has nothing to do with music.

[Territorial_Game]

Didn't know he's Canadian... learned something new right there. Also, that cap looks weird- like a construction hard hat pretending to be a baseball cap.

[Bastille Dave]

I thought this thread was gonna be about the 1959 (?) plane that went down that Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper were on.

[1-0-0-1-0-0-1]

I thought this thread was gonna be about the 1959 (?) plane that went down that Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper were on.

 

Bieber winning this award might be more tragic.

 

And just when you thought the Grammys were the shallowest of all the awards shows, the AMAs managed to drain a little more out of the pool.

[burgeranacoke]

When I saw the promo for AMA starting out with take on the opening riff of "Should I Stay or Should I Go by the The Clash, I just had to chuckle.

[Ancient Ways]

No win situation. Do you care for any of the people up for the award?

[Babycat]

:o !

[Amy Farrah Fowler]

These award shows continue to solidify the fact that I listen to the right kind of music....i.e. NOTHING these shows represent.

[Rod in Toronto]

Remember how we (or most of us...) made fun of Bon Jovi, Poison, Ratt etc. in the 80´s? This is proof that music is really at a very low point. Compared to what´s successful today, hair metal bands seem like Cannibal Corpse!

[Steevo]

:outtahere:

[HomesickAlien]

Is the picture of that chick in the opening post supposed to be Justin Beiber?

 

http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s410/datura67/Screenshot_1.png

 

I didn't know Rachel Maddow had a younger sister. :|

[Mara]

I thought this thread was gonna be about the 1959 (?) plane that went down that Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper were on.

 

Bieber winning this award might be more tragic.

 

And just when you thought the Grammys were the shallowest of all the awards shows, the AMAs managed to drain a little more out of the pool.

 

Proof that shit floats.

[invisible airwave]

"Haters gonna hate", as they say. Well, i hate him more than ever now.

 

The go-to copout for those butthurt that people don't like their kiddie friendly crap or other things they have terrible taste in. Kartrashian fans are notorious for this.

[invisible airwave]

I saw a really ignorant description of this show on Entertainment Weekly saying that at least one person will enjoy one "artist" as long as you're not a Norwegian metal fan.

 

It's a sad state of the times when even veteran music critics are starting to kiss ass to this crap.