Stars pay homage to Wonder at ‘Billboards’

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004 | 8:12 a.m.

Oscars aside, awards shows rarely go into overtime. When they do, the extra footage rarely makes the broadcast.

Unless, that is, the overage consists of a live performance and acceptance speech by living legend Stevie Wonder.

Local station KVVU Channel 5 held its 10 p.m. newscast until 10:15 Wednesday night, to make room for Wonder's Century Award presentation and celebration at this year's "Billboard Music Awards."

Even R&B vocalist Usher -- who took home the event's mother lode, 11 awards -- seemed more interested in talking about the night's other featured attraction than about himself.

"Stevie Wonder ... what an amazing induction," Usher gushed to the press as the MGM Grand Garden Arena crowd of about 9,700 filed out. "I was truly moved by what he had to say tonight."

The near-capacity audience waited two hours, the scheduled duration for the entire show, for Wonder to make his appearance.

When the 54-year-old icon finally took the stage, following tribute performances by Mary J. Blige, Destiny's Child and Diana Ross, Wonder sang a truncated version of "Higher Ground" and addressed his cheering fans.

"Truly I do appreciate this honor, but if it were possible for me, as opposed to receiving an award, to see a day where we as a people could come together ..." Wonder said.

"I challenge all of us, whatever political party we belong to, whatever religion we are ... to truly do it God's way. Because war is not his way. Terrorism is not his way. Prejudice is not his way. Hatred is not his way. Believe me when I say that."

Wonder's words put a serious cap on what was otherwise a light and silly evening. Host Ryan Seacrest, members of the "MADtv" cast and a procession of oddball presenters gave the audience plenty to laugh about, some of it scripted, some of it not.

Early in the show, "MADtv" comedian Stephanie Weir did a dead-on Anna Nicole Smith impersonation, poking fun at Smith's strange behavior at last month's "American Music Awards."

Later, Vince Neil -- frontman for recently reunited glam-metal outfit Motley Crue -- faltered while attempting to read a far-off teleprompter.

"I swear to God I cannot read this 'cause I don't have my glasses on," a chuckling Neil admitted, seeking assistance from actress Tara Reid and his bandmates.

It wasn't all fun and games. Teen pop star Ashlee Simpson drew a loud chorus of boos when she accepted her new female artist of the year award, the apparent result of her "Saturday Night Live" lip-syncing fiasco.

"If you ever feel nervous or like you're making a fool of yourself, I have a little trick. It's called the Texas jig," Simpson said, offering up a bit of the awkward dance she performed during the infamous "Saturday Night Live" episode.

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, stars of "The Simple Life," appeared on the televised show, but not in the arena version. Their brief segment was taped earlier in the day, on the same Grand Garden Arena stage setup.

Fox's rundown sheet noted the pair's presentation "Must be pre-taped before the show." During last year's show, a string of profanities by Richie went out live to the East Coast.

Britney Spears made her first public appearance since her Sept. 18 marriage to Kevin Federline. Spears, who wore a dress made of revealingly sheer material, presented the award for rap artist of the year to Kanye West.

The tribute to Wonder aside, vocalist Alicia Keys contributed the night's top performance, an animated version of "Karma." During the number, a pair of gymnastic male dancers took the stage, then one began spinning the other atop his head in rapid circles.

After the song, Seacrest attempted the same move for a few seconds, ultimately falling off his perch and crashing to the floor.

Evanescence's rendition of "My Immortal" easily qualified as the show's least successful performance. Vocalist Amy Lee struggled to stay on key, then actually stopped and glared at her band when they overpowered her singing.

Usher, Green Day, Gwen Stefani, Nelly and the duo of Keith Urban and Sheryl Crow rounded out the night's live performances.

Usher's 11 awards included most of the top overall honors, including artist of the year, Billboard 200 album of the year (for "Confessions") and Hot 100 single of the year (for "Yeah," featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris).

Keys left with seven awards. Among them: female artist of the year, Hot 100 songwriter of the year and R&B/hip-hop single of the year (for "If I Ain't Got You.")

OutKast (five), West (four), Lil Jon (three), Gretchen Wilson (two) and Fantasia (two) also picked up multiple awards.

But the event ultimately belonged to Wonder, who drew a standing ovation while presenting last year's Billboard Century Award to Sting and received a similar reaction from the crowd on Wednesday.

After producer Quincy Jones spoke about Wonder's career, Blige opened the tribute with a cover of "As," off 1976's "Songs in the Key of Life."

Destiny's Child followed with "Living for the City," from 1974's "Innervisions," and Ross closed it out with the pairing of two hit singles: 1984's "I Just Called to Say I Love You" and 1968's "For Once in My Life."