Rock News: Music's high and low notes

AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

Soul divas dominated the 29th Annual American Music Awards, handed out Wednesday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Aaliyah -- who was killed in a plane crash following a video shoot in the Bahamas last August -- won for best soul album for her self-titled CD, and for favorite female soul/R&B artist. Singer Ginuwine urged the audience to rise in tribute to Aaliyah as he accepted the award in memory of the late singer.

Alicia Keys -- who had five nominations, more than any other artist -- was named favorite new artist in both pop and soul/R&B categories. Her debut album, "Songs in A Minor," was a top seller in 2001 as well as a critical success.

Destiny's Child won for favorite pop album, "Survivor," and was named favorite soul/R&B band, duo or group for a second straight year.

'N Sync beat out U2 and Dave Matthews band to take its second straight AMA for favorite pop band, duo or group. Lenny Kravitz won the award for favorite male pop artist, and Janet Jackson was named top female pop artist.

Luther Vandross won for favorite male soul/R&B artist for a sixth time. Sade was named favorite adult contemporary artist, Nelly won for favorite rap/hip-hop artist and Limp Bizkit won for the second straight year as favorite alternative music artist.

Michael Jackson -- who was at the center of a power struggle between producers of the AMA telecast and the upcoming Grammy Awards telecast -- accepted an Artist of the Century award, but did not perform during the ceremonies, which aired on ABC-TV.

Earlier, AMA officials had announced the show would air a never-before-seen videotape of Jackson performing his 13-year-old hit, "Man in the Mirror," in concert. But at the last minute, producers nixed the idea. A publicist for the show said the tape was withdrawn at the request of Jackson's representatives.

The winners:

-- Pop/Rock:

Favorite Male Artist: Lenny Kravitz

Favorite Female Artist: Janet Jackson

Favorite Band, Duo or Group: 'N Sync

Favorite Album: "Survivor" (Destiny's Child)

Favorite New Artist: Alicia Keys

-- Soul Rhythm & Blues:

Favorite Male Artist: Luther Vandross

Favorite Female Artist: Aaliyah

Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Destiny's Child

Favorite Album: "Aaliyah" (Aaliyah)

Favorite New Artist: Alicia Keys

-- Country:

Favorite Male Artist: Tim McGraw

Favorite Female Artist: Faith Hill

Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Brooks & Dunn

Favorite Album: "Set This Circus Down" (Tim McGraw) (3rd AMA)

Favorite New Artist: Trick Pony

-- Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist: Sade Favorite

-- Latin Music Artist: Enrique Iglesias

-- Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist: Nelly

-- Favorite Alternative Music Artist: Limp Bizkit

-- Contemporary Inspirational Favorite Artist: Yolanda Adams

-- Favorite Soundtrack: "Save The Last Dance"

-- Internet Artist: U2

-- Award of Merit: Garth Brooks

-- Artist of the Century: Michael Jackson

Winners of the 29th American Music Awards were determined by the public in a national poll conducted by the National Family Opinion, Inc. firm under the supervision of Broadcast Research and Consulting, Inc.

GWEN AND GAVIN

No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani and Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale are planning to marry after six years together. RollingStone.com quotes a statement released by No Doubt's label, Interscope Records, saying Rossdale proposed on New Year's Day and "Stefani happily accepted and the two will set a wedding date later in 2002."

The engagement caps a busy year for both, during which their respective bands recorded and released new albums. But, according to Stefani, their duties haven't kept them apart. "We had so much fun together this year, because we spent so much time together and really got to know each other," she said. "Not that we didn't know each other already. I just can't believe it's been six years."

The couple met when No Doubt and Bush shared the bill at a Los Angeles radio station's annual holiday concert in 1995.

BLACK CROWES

The Black Crowes say they're taking a hiatus, and frontman Chris Robinson is checking out a solo career.

In a brief statement released Tuesday, and quoted by CD Now All-Star Music News, the band added that "(drummer) Steve Gorman has left the band for personal reasons. Stay tuned for news about (guitarist) Rich Robinson."

The Crowes have had a tumultuous career since forming in the mid-1980s, with the brothers Robinson fighting at every turn. The group's biggest success was their 1990 debut, "Shake Your Money Maker," which has sold more than 5 million copies. 2001's "Lions," the Crowes' ninth and last album, has yet to go "gold."

FEEDER'S JON LEE

Jon Lee, drummer for the British rock band Feeder, has been found dead at his Miami home in an apparent suicide.

A statement issued by the band says Lee, who was 33, "took his own life" on Monday. He leaves behind his wife, Tatiana Englehart, a Brazilian model he married in 2000, and a young son, Cameron.

"We will miss him more than melody, we are utterly devastated," the band said in its statement.

Feeder formed in Wales in 1992 and released their debut album, "Polythene," in 1997. They had a Top 5 single in Britain last year with "Buck Rogers."

Lee required medical attention last summer when he was hit in the eye as fans threw bottles and cans on stage as the band played at a festival in Italy while on tour with the Stereophonics.

BIG COUNTRY'S STUART ADAMSON

A memorial service for former Big County singer Stuart Adamson is planned in his hometown of Dunfermline, Scotland, on Jan. 27.

Adamson's longtime manager, Ian Grant, says there are also plans for a tribute concert in Scotland in May or July. "We came to the idea of doing two separate memorials -- one for his friends and fans who did not attend his funeral to allow them to pay their last respects and then a celebration of his music in May or July," he says.

Adamson committed suicide in a Hawaii hotel room last month.

(The above two items thanks to UPI's Mike Cooper in Atlanta)