Music News
Avril Lavigne and K-OS win Big at Juno
By James Wray
Apr 5, 2005, 4:13 GMT

Avril Lavigne's 'Under my Skin' won Best Album at the Juno Awards

Avril Lavigne and rapper K-OS were the big winners at this year's (05) Juno Awards in Winnipeg, Canada, on Sunday (03APR05).

The singer, 20, was named Best Artist, Best Pop Album for "Under my Skin" and Fans' Choice for Canadian's most popular star.

Hip-hop star k-os, whose real name is Kevin Brereton, picked up Best Rap Recording for "Joyful Rebellion," Best Single for Crabbuckit" and Best Video for "B-BOY STANC," at the glitzy ceremony in Winnipeg's MTS Centre.

A number of stars, including country singer K.D. Lang, paid tribute to ailing legend Neil Young, who was forced to cancel his scheduled performance at the Junos after suffering a brain aneurysm.

Hitmaker Lang said, "If there is a beacon or a bastion of an artist who has maintained his integrity and his uncompromising vision and purity... it is Neil Young. So Neil, I sing this for you. Heal fast my friend."

Juno broadcaster John Brunton said Young, who watched the awards from his hospital bed, had been moved by Lang's cover of his track 'Helpless.'

Brunton lamented, "He actually teared up and thought it was one of the most beautiful things."

Other winners on the night included Lavigne's boyfriend DERYCK WHIBLEY's band SUM 41, jazz star Diana Krall, Billy Talent and Green Day for their album "American Idiot."

The main winners included:

• Best Single: CRABBUCKIT, K-OS
• Fans' choice: AVRIL LAVIGNE
• Best Album: BILLY TALENT, BILLY TALENT
• Best Group: BILLY TALENT
• Best New artist: FEIST
• Best International album: AMERICAN IDIOT, GREEN DAY
• Best Pop album: UNDER MY SKIN, AVRIL LAVIGNE
• Best Rock album: CHUCK, SUM 41
• Best New group: ALEXISONFIRE
• Vocal jazz album: THE GIRL IN THE OTHER ROOM, DIANA KRALL