Veteran heavy metal group Aerosmith scored the most nominations in the MTV music awards, to be hosted by comedian Roseanne Arnold, the rock video network announced Wednesday.
Aerosmith was nominated in eight of the 18 categories for the 11th annual awards, to be broadcast from New York's Radio City Music Hall on Sept. 8 after eight years in Los Angeles.Other multiple nominees included Singer Bjork, who received six, and groups R.E.M., which took six, and the Beastie Boys and Nirvana, each with four.
It could well be the last hurrah for Nirvana following the suicide of lead singer Kurt Cobain in April.
Showing that age is no barrier to joining what has been called "the MTV generation," legendary singer Tony Bennett was among the nominees for Best Male Video. Bennett has become the darling of the twentysomething set with his new version of "Steppin' Out With My Baby," which is currently working its way up the charts.
"MTV has just hypnotized the whole world. To be accepted on MTV, I'm 67 years old. It's amazing," he said at the news conference announcing the awards.
Bennett announced the nominees for some of the major awards, including Best Video of the Year.
Nominated in the category were R.E.M. for "Everybody Hurts," Aerosmith for "Cryin,' " the Beastie Boys for "Sabotage" and Nirvana for "Heart-Shaped Box."
Joining Bennett for Best Male Video nominations were Beck for "Loser," Bruce Springsteen for the film song "Streets of Philadelphia," and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers for "Mary Jane's Last Dance."
It was also announced that Petty will be one of the performers for the show, along with rap singer Snoop Doggy Dogg.
The show will be hosted by Roseanne, who has attracted the kind of controversy that MTV has looked for in the past in its selection.
"We're certain she will make it a night to remember," MTV vice president for programming Doug Herzog told the news conference.
He also said the show would move out of the studio and on to the streets of New York. He said details would be disclosed at later dates.
The awards have another first this year with involvement in the balloting from viewers. In the past, winners were selected by music professionals who will continue to vote this year.
The ballots will go to 500 members of the music industry and 500 MTV viewers selected from a representative sample.
The nominations showed that some of the industry's biggest names had an off year. Madonna received only one nomination, for the song "I'll Remember" from the film "With Honors."
Sinead O'Connor also received just one nomination, for "You Made Me The Thief of Your Heart," while Michael Jackson received no nominations.
Among other nominations:
Best Female Video:
Bjork - "Human Behavior"
Sheryl Crow - "Leaving Las Vegas"
Janet Jackson - "If"
Me'Shell Ndege'Ocello, "If That's Your Boy Friend"
Best Group Video:
R.E.M. - "Everybody Hurts"
Beastie Boys - "Sabotage"
Aerosmith - "Cryin"'
Green Day - "Longview"
Best Rap Video:
Coolio - "Fantastic Voyage"
Cypress Hill - "Insane in the Brain"
Dr. Dre - "Let Me Ride"
Snoop Doggy Dogg - "Doggy Dogg World"
Best Metal/Hard Rock Video:
Aerosmith - "Cryin' "
Anthrax - "Back Lodge"
Rollins Band - "Liar"
Soundgarden - "Black Hole Sun"
Best New Artist in a Video:
Beck - "Loser"
Bjork - "Human Behavior"
Counting Crows "Mr. Jones"
Green Day - "Longview"
Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories - "Stay"
Me'Shell Ndege'Ocello - "If That's Your Boyfriend"
Best R&B Video:
The Brand New Heavies - "Dream on Dreamer"
Toni Braxton - "Breathe Again"
R Kelly - "Bump 'N' Grind"
Salt-N-Pepa with en Vogue - "Whatta Man"