LOS ANGELES -- A controversial music video by Neil Young that MTV initially refused to air was awarded top honors Wednesday night at the sixth annual MTV Video Music Awards.
'This Note's For You,' which raised a storm of controversy for its message attacking musicians who promote products, beat out four other productions to win for 'best video.'
Young's production rivaled videos by superstar Madonna, newcomer Paula Abdul, the Fine Young Cannibals and Steve Winwood. Madonna and Abdul each were nominated six times.
The awards show, hosted by comedian and talk show host Arsenio Hall, was broadcast live from Universal Amphitheatre to a global audience.
Abdul picked up four awards for her song 'Straight Up,' including best dance video, best choreography, best editing and best female, beating out Tracy Chapman, Madonna, Tanita Tikaram and Jody Watley.
'I'm very excited,' said Abdul, who started her entertainment career as a choreographer for the Los Angeles Laker Girls.
'I can't comprehend it right now. I'm just trying to enjoy the moment,' she said backstage.
Newcomers Living Colour, who blend jazz, funk and reggae rhythms, claimed three awards for best group, best stage performance and best new artist for their song, 'Cult of Personality.'
Other nominees for best group were Fine Young Cannibals, Guns 'N Roses and Traveling Wilburys. Living Colour competed with Abdul, Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians and Neneh Cherry for the best new artist award.
Madonna was among the featured performers in the audience, making her first television appearance since the first MTV awards show in 1984.
Nominated in six categories for her two videos, 'Express Yourself' and 'Like A Prayer,' Madonna claimed no personal awards but her video crews picked up honors for best director, best cinematography and best art direction.
Elvis Costello's 'Veronica' won top male honors over Bobby Brown, Lou Reed and Steve Winwood.
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's 'Parents Just Don't Understand' grabbed the award for best rap video, over Ice-T, Kool Moe Dee, M.C. Hammer and Tone Loc.
Guns 'N Roses won the heavy metal award over Aerosmith, Def Leppard and Metallica.
Axel Rose, lead singer of Guns 'N Roses, which considers itself a rock and roll band, said he thought Metallica should have won the award.
'I don't like winning anything that has the labeling 'heavy metal,' he said backstage. 'I don't like the title 'heavy metal' because it cheapens the art form.'
Michael Jackson, a multiple-award winner in past years, was nominated eight times for two videos, but his only award was for best special effects for 'Leave Me Alone.'
Abdul performed a medley she choreographed, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora sang a duet and Cher, Tone Loc and Bobby Brown also dazzled the audience with their numbers.
Cher performed in the revealing outfit from her video, 'If I Could Turn Back Time,' obscured partially by a billowing parachute.
The Cult and the Cure made their first televised performances on an American awards show and the Rolling Stones appeared by satellite from their concert tour.
Tom Petty and Rose of Guns 'N Roses closed out the show with a surprise duet.
In another surprise development, a spokesman for MTV announced to the press backstage that raunchy comedian Andrew Dice Clay will be banned from MTV in the future because of unrehearsed sexual references Clay made during his live comedy routine.
The spokesman said MTV regretted Dice's remarks.
Grammy-winner George Michael received the 1989 'Video Vanguard Award' for his R&B pop and 'electrifying' video performances.
