Spice Girls Are Favorite Flavor at Music Awards

The Spice Girls earned three awards and beat out such heavyweights as U2 and the Wallflowers for best pop-rock group Monday night at the American Music Awards, while country group Alabama won its 20th award.

“Thanks to all the fans, all the years,” said Randy Owen, as Alabama picked up its award for favorite country band, duo or group.

The Spice Girls swept the pop-rock category, being named favorite new artists and winning favorite album for “Spice.” The group was preparing for a tour in Ireland and did not attend the nationally televised ceremonies, hosted by actor-comedian Drew Carey at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

The British group was also named best band, duo or group, beating out the socially conscious Irish group U2 and the Wallflowers, a critically acclaimed band led by Bob Dylan’s son Jakob.

Unlike the Grammys and other awards shows, the American Music Awards are the result of a popularity poll of the public. Winners are selected by a national sampling of about 20,000 listeners.

The emotional centerpiece of the show was the presentation of special award for Frank Sinatra. His daughter, Nancy, got a standing ovation for the “Chairman of the Board.”

“I bring you greetings from the coolest guy on the face of the planet next to Puff Daddy--my daddy!” Nancy Sinatra said.

In other awards, Babyface and George Strait each won two.

“This is another big surprise,” said Babyface as he picked up his trophy for best male artist in the pop-rock category. He also won as best male artist in the soul and rhythm and blues section.

Strait won awards as best male country artist and for favorite country album. Lee Ann Womack won as favorite new country artist.

Reba McEntire was named favorite female country artist, and Boyz II Men won the award for soul and rhythm and blues favorite.

Elton John, whose eulogy to Prince Diana, “Candle in the Wind 1997,” became the best-selling single of all time, was named favorite adult contemporary artist.

Celine Dion won as favorite female artist in the pop-rock category, and Julio Iglesias beat out his son Enrique to win as favorite Latin artist.

In the alternative category, Bush was named favorite artist.

George Strait won for favorite country album with “Carrying Your Love With Me.”

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony was named favorite artist in the rap/hip-hop category. Mary J. Blige had the favorite soul and rhythm and blues album with “Share My World” but lost out to Mariah Carey as favorite female artist.

Erykah Badu was named favorite new soul and rhythm and blues artist.

Favorite soundtrack went to the Will Smith movie “Men in Black.”

Sinatra’s selection for the special Award of Merit had been announced in advance. The 82-year-old performer has not been seen in public since suffering a heart attack a year ago.