It was ladies night at the American Music Awards on Wednesday (1/9) as Destiny’s Child, newcomer Alicia Keys [ tickets ] and the late Aaliyah [ tickets ] earned two prizes each.

The R&B trio Destiny’s Child took home Favorite Album-Pop/Rock for “Survivor” (Columbia) and Favorite Band, Duo or Group-Soul/Rhythm and Blues from the ceremony, which was broadcast live on ABC from Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium.

Nominated for five awards, piano-playing soul singer Keys won two: Favorite New Artist in the Pop/Rock and Soul/Rhythm and Blues categories. Meanwhile, the respective presenters accepted Aaliyah [ tickets ]’s awards--Favorite Female Artist-Soul/Rhythm and Blues and Favorite Album-Soul/Rhythm and Blues--on her behalf.

The females may have taken center stage, but the spotlight belonged to Kid Rock [ tickets ], who dealt a blow to lip-synching pop stars during his performance of “Lonely Road of Faith.” His girlfriend Pamela Anderson introduced the rock-rapper, and the curtain lifted to reveal a guitar-holding mannequin of Kid Rock. A reel-to-reel tape machine sat atop a table and emitted Rock’s voice saying that this was his reaction to the majority of popular music today. The tape player then played the opening verses to “Lonely Road of Faith.”

Midway through the song, Rock entered a second stage atop an orange Dodge Charger, similar to the car featured on “Dukes of Hazzard,” minus the confederate flag. With a Western-themed video playing behind him, Rock was joined by his Twisted Brown Trucker band, additional guitar players, a fiddler, dancers and back-up singers on a second song, “Lay It On Me.” He accomplished his goal of showing the audience what a real showman does.

Rock’s message was an interesting juxtaposition to the behavior of the giddy Justin Timberlake of ‘NSync and girlfriend Britney Spears. After Spears finished singing “I’m Not a Girl/Not Yet a Woman,” Timberlake stood up and gave her a standing ovation. She returned the honor by singing along with ‘NSync’s song “Gone” as Timberlake and groupmates Chris Kirkpatrick and J.C. Chasez walked onstage to accept its only award of the night, Favorite Band, Duo or Group-Pop/Rock.

As the trio approached the podium, boos were heard throughout the auditorium.

“Oh, quit booing," said Timberlake. "U2’s gonna get Grammys.”

Garth Brooks and Michael Jackson were honored with lifetime awards. During a tribute narrated by Reba McEntire, singer-songwriter James Taylor congratulated Brooks via videotape.

“Not to be too wanky about it, but in my opinion, no one deserves it more," Taylor said. "You’re a great player with a passion for music, and a gentleman to boot. Your contribution to American music is undeniable. Garth, old pal, congratulations.”

Despite the fact that Brooks and his wife Sandy finalized their divorce, he offered a touching tribute.

“You can’t mention a Garth Brooks career without Sandy Brooks,” Brooks said. “Even beyond marriage, she’s been great to me, and her family has been great to me.”

Michael Jackson received the Artist of the Century award and a standing ovation for his much ballyhooed appearance. Despite reports that he would perform, the enigmatic performer did not. After comedian Chris Tucker’s introduction, Jackson thanked a slew of people including Diana Ross and Marlon Brando, whom he called his second father.

There were the usual displays of shameless self-promotion. Host Sean “P. Diddy” Combs brought on stage a man modeling a sparkling suit from his clothing line, Sean John. Backstreet Boys Kevin Richardson and Nick Carter (Carter was making his first public appearance since an arrest at a Florida nightclub last week) brought singer Krystal on stage with them to present the Favorite Album-Country prize. The diminutive pianist, whom Richardson said is signed to BSB’s label, belted a tune before giving Tim McGraw the award.

KISS’ Gene Simmons--who is pushing his autobiography, “Kiss and Make-Up”--and Paul Stanley donned make-up and costumes to present Lenny Kravitz with Favorite Male Artist-Pop/Rock. Kravitz strutted to the stage and bowed at the two rockers’ feet. In their trademark KISS platform shoes, Simmons and Stanley towered over Kravitz, whose head was level with their shoulders.

“This is pretty amazing," said Kravitz, "because when I was 12 years old, these guys turned me on to some serious rock ‘n’ roll. I wouldn’t be standing here today if I hadn’t heard any KISS records.”

Supermodel Nikki Taylor, who was critically injured in a car accident last summer, made a rare public appearance to join Sugar Ray frontman Mark McGrath in presenting the Favorite Pop/Rock Album award to Destiny's Child [ tickets ] for "Survivor."

In an odd twist, Janet Jackson was introduced as strongly wanting to introduce a performer. Appearing via satellite from Tokyo, Japan, it seemed that she was going to bring her brother on stage. Instead, she was gushing over rocker Lenny Kravitz, who performed his latest single, “Dig In.”

In general, the evening’s performances were top-notch--a rarity for award shows. Favorite Male Artist-Soul/Rhythm and Blues winner Luther Vandross showed off his vocal abilities during a rendition of George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord,” in honor of the deceased Beatle. Shaggy was surrounded by dancers dressed as devils and angels as he performed a medley of his hits including “Wasn’t Me.”

The Virginia, Irish-influenced party band Carbon Leaf won the AMA’s first Coca-Cola New Music Award and performed on the show. Gospel artist Yolanda Adams wrapped her powerful vocals around a song before accepting the first Contemporary Inspirational Artist prize.

“We serve an awesome God. You all know that, right? God always does wonderful things for you when you least expect it. … Gospel definitely is a legitimate form of music. For all my brothers and sisters, since Sept. 11 we’ve been trying to do better. But always remember, God is watching. God is loving and God is forgiving.”