Winehouse Tribute To Highlight VMA Awards

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Amy Winehouse never appeared on the MTV Video Music Awards during her short but celebrated career. Still, Sundays show will take a break from its planned circus atmosphere to pay tribute to the British singer, who died a month ago after years of substance abuse. Tony Bennett will lead the tribute to Winehouse; her last known recording was with the 85-year-old crooner on his upcoming Duets II album. There is also word swirling that Winehouses parents might show, but MTV officials could not confirm their appearance. The tribute to Winehouse will likely be the rare moment of reverence in a show that is calculated to be as irreverent as possible. This year, the current queen of sexy daffiness, Katy Perry, is poised to be the belle of MTVs annual ball: Shes up for a leading 10 moonman trophies, including video of the year for her inspirational Firework. Another female singer is also a top nominee: Adele, the years best-selling artist so far with her album 21, is nominated for seven awards for Rolling in the Deep; Kanye West also has seven nominations. West always good for a colorful MTV moment (ask Taylor Swift) is not expected to perform at the awards, which are being held at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, broadcast live on MTV from 9-11 p.m. But there are plenty of other headline-generating performers, including Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Lil Wayne, Pitbull and Chris Brown, whose star continues to brighten two years after it was tarnished by his attack on Rihanna. And then there was the headline-generating Irene, the hurricane-tuned-tropical storm that was pummeling her way up the Eastern seaboard on Sunday. MTV President Stephen Friedman said some VMA performers from the East Coast arrived in LA early to avoid the storm and resulting airport disruptions. But he was hopeful viewer disruption would be minimal. Our hope is our audience is cuddled up with their family and friends and dont want to be outside and want to watch the best night in music, he said. Copyright 2011 by Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.