At Juno 2005, the theme was pretty obvious – out with the old, in with the new. Gone from the winner’s circle were artists such as Shania Twain, Alanis Morissette, Barenaked Ladies and K.D. Lang.
Instead, Avril Lavigne was queen bee and K-OS was crown prince at this weekend’s Juno Awards in Winnipeg. Both artists walked home with three trophies, tops for the event.
Lavigne, who was in Singapore touring and did not attend the show, won Artist Of The Year, Pop Album and Juno Fan Choice, which she accepted via satellite.
Toronto rapper K-OS took home Single Of The Year for “Crabbuckit,” Rap Recording Of The Year and Video Of The Year for “B-Boy Stance – The Love Movement.”
Leslie Feist was named New Artist Of The Year and took home the award for Alternative Album, beating out the likes of The Arcade Fire, AC Newman and Stars. Feist, who lives in Paris, used the opportunity to give a shout-out to fellow Canadian ex-pat and producer of Let It Die, Chilly Gonzales.
Billy Talent were deemed 2005’s Group Of The Year and their self-titled CD was somewhat of a surprise winner for Album, beating out records by Lavigne, Celine Dion and Diana Krall.
Sum 41 won their first Juno when Chuck won Rock Album Of The Year. The Ajax punks thanked Nickelback for taking time off so they could win for the first time.
Other first-time winners included Keshia Chante for R&B Recording, Ron Sexsmith for Songwriter and Alexisonfire for New Group.
Sarah Harmer took home the newly minted Adult Alternative award and Green Day were winners of International Album Of The Year.
Harmer also presented fellow Kingstonians, The Tragically Hip, the newest inductees to the Juno Hall Of Fame. The Hip performed Fully Completely and Grace, Too in an odd spectacle that featured lead singer Gord Downie cryptically muttering nonsense between almost every lyric.
For the complete list of winners, check out the Juno website.
