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The three-hour live telecast from Las Vegas stuck to its
tradition of a performance-heavy annual show featuring top
recording stars in spectacular production numbers.
Britney Spears kicked things off, dazzling in a daring red
outfit for a medley of her hits.
Canadian singer The Weeknd dedicated the first award to Prince,
the Grammy-winning pop superstar best known for such hits as
"Purple Rain" and "Let's Go Crazy," who died at his Minnesota
home in April aged 57.
"I want to dedicate this award to the late great Prince," The
Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye), said in accepting the Top Hot
100 Artist award.
Madonna ended the show with a Prince tribute that included
"Nothing Compares 2 U," before she was joined by Stevie Wonder
for "Purple Rain" as the audience rose to its feet, arms gently
swaying above their heads and singing along.
Earlier, Kesha delivered an emotional rendition of Dylan's
classic in a much-anticipated performance that was nearly
canceled by her label in a legal dispute.
Kemosabe Records relented, saying Kesha had assured them she
would not use her time as a platform to address her failed legal
bid against Sony Corp's Sony Music and producer Dr. Luke.
Kemosabe, founded by Dr. Luke, is a unit of Sony Music. The
singer stood by her word.
While several awards were handed out during the show, including
to British singer Adele who won the big prize, top artist and
accepted via a video segment, it was performances by the likes
of Ariana Grande, Dion, and Rihanna that ruled.
Dion, making her first televised singing performance since the
death of her husband, Rene Angelil, tearfully accepted the Icon
Award for lifetime achievement, which in a surprise was
presented by her son, Rene-Charles.
"I'm so sorry, I don't want to cry in front of you," Dion told
the audience. She ended by holding her award aloft and
declaring, "Rene, this one's for you, the show must go on,"
echoing the title of the Queen song she had just performed.
Other top prizes went to Rihanna in the fan-voted chart
achievement award, Justin Bieber for top male artist, Adele for
both top female artist and Billboard 200 album, and The Weeknd
for R & B song "The Hills."
(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb and Chris Michaud; Editing by Chris
Reese, Robert Birsel and Paul Tait)
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