Other performers included The Fray, Fergie, Gwen Stefani, Ludacris with Pharrell, and Young Jeezy. "But the way you're treating me tonight I want to sing for another 60 years." "You know I've been singing for 60 years," said Bennett as he accepted the award. using his voice and his spirit for demanding the social, economic and civil rights of every single American that things have changed," said Wonder. Wonder credited Bennett for standing up for civil rights, "back in the day when it was not so popular." Last week, Dion had to cancel her appearance as well as five of her Las Vegas shows because of a respiratory infection. Stevie Wonder stepped in for Celine Dion to present Tony Bennett with the Century Award, Billboard's highest honor.
"American Idol" finalists Chris Daughtry and Katharine McPhee, Jesse McCartney, Three 6 Mafia, Bow Wow were among the presenters. Photos: Billboard Music Awards - Show And Rehearsals The 40-year-old singer started off with her 1980s hit song "Pleasure Principle" and then segued into "So Excited" from her most recent album, "20 Y.O." Janet Jackson was the opening act of the night, accompanied by pyrotechnics and a crew of backup dancers.
The Fray, Rihanna, and Nickelback each won three awards. took home five awards, including nods for rap artist of the year, rap single of the year for "King," rap albums artist of the year, rap songs artist of the year, and videoclips artist of the year.Ĭarrie Underwood also took home five awards including album of the year and country album of the year for "Some Hearts " female Billboard 200 album artist of the year, female country artist of the year, and new country artist of the year. His first night in Vegas was spent hanging out with his mom in his hotel room, he said. "I certainly don't feel my age."ĢBrown said people were treating him like he was older but then reality set in when he realized he could not do much because of his young age. "It feels great," he said from the red carpet.
Seventeen-year-old R&B star Chris Brown won the evening's highest award, artist of the year, along with male artist of the year, and new artist of the year.