Cantrell, accompanied by new singer/guitarist William DuVall, bass player Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney, performed a three-song acoustic including “Your Decision,” Black Gives Way To Blue” and “Down in a Hole,” from its 1992 breakthrough “Dirt” at the Montalban Theatre from their first studio album in 14 years, due in stores on Sept. 29.

Cantrell described “Black Gives Way To Blue,” the title track to the new album, as a “deep” tribute to DuVall’s predecessor, Layne Staley, who lost his lengthy battle with drugs in 2002.

Beforehand, guests were treated to an open bar and In & Out Burgers and were later seated whole they heard the entire album on the PA system after checking in their cell phones at the door to prevent piracy. The new video, “A Looking in View,” also played in a loop.

During the 1990s when Seattle was at the epicenter of the “grunge rock” phase, Alice in Chains spearheaded the gloomy genre with a string of dark, druggy albums. Four of them hit the top 10 of the Billboard 200, including the chart-toppers “Jar of Flies” (1994) and its self-titled studio swan song the following year.

“Black Gives Way To Blue” marks the band’s first release for Virgin/EMI; all its previous albums were handled by Columbia Records. Virgin will also host a listening party in New York next Tuesday.

The Winners

Gwen Stefani received the Rock Style award for her unique looks both on stage and her music videos. Stefani was also at the center of attention when the Goo Goo Dolls presented Moby with the Visionary Video Award for “South Side.” 

P. Diddy, um, Puffy? Sean John? Whatever. That guy, you know, J. Lo’s ex. The rapper? I mean, fashion designer? Whatever. He looks good. And he took home the award for Sharply Dressed Man. As he did, he thanked his mother for teaching him at an early age that “fashion had no restrictions.” 

Model Niki Taylor, who suffered liver damage after a car accident in April, received a standing ovation as she appeared onstage with Latin singer Marc Anthony to present the Newcomer Award to teen heartthrob Josh Hartnett, who hopes, he said, “to be stylish in the future.” He received the award wearing jeans and a corduroy jacket.

Actor Jim Carrey picked up his Leading Man Award from one of rock’s leading men, Mick Jagger, while his ex Renee Zellweger received the Red Carpet Award for her appearance in a stunning yellow Lily et Cie gown at the 2001 Academy Awards in March. Sarah Jessica Parker, known fashionista, accepted the Best Dressed TV Show Award for Sex and the City.

Actress Hilary Swank, whose fashion sense was first noted at the 2000 Oscars when she won for Best Actress wearing Randolph Duke, presented Marc Jacobs his Designer of the Year Award. “I am honored to receive this award; it’s a privilege to get this,” he said. John Galliano received, aptly enough, the Rebel Designer award.

In one of the evening’s more original moments, Ben Stiller’s fictional character, Derek Zoolander, presented himself with the Derek Zoolander Achievement Award for Male Model. Acting surprised, Stiller scrunched his face into his character’s unforgettable frown as he thanked God for “making me so incredibly good looking.”

That’s Entertainment 

Lenny Kravitz started the party off on the Hammerstein’s roof, where he performed “Dig In” from his upcoming album Lenny, due out Oct.30. His performance was perhaps less memorable than his hair, which he wore in a massive Afro.

If Kravitz had lots of hair, Mariah Carey had lots of “bare.” Wearing a black dress and visible bra, Carey started of her rendition of “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life” astride a motorcycle. Pink balloons with the letter “M” on them fell onto the audience. In a further display of lingerie, Macy Gray sang her latest tune “Sexual Revolution” as dancers did their thing, and displayed their thongs in the process. 

John Mellencamp and India.Arie’s “Peaceful World” received warm applause, but not quite as energetic a reaction as the one that greeted singer Alicia Keys after her a cappella version of “Respect.”

And in one of the night’s odder displays, models, impersonating some well know music industry faces such as Bjork, Marilyn Manson, Jim Morrison, Prince and Blondie, walked down the runway to show the music world’s impact on the fashion industry.

Speeches and Such

The VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards were, thankfully, fairly long on looks and short on speeches. Nonetheless, presenters and winners–including Galliano, Zellweger, Hillary Clinton and Sandra Bullock-seemed compelled to talk about their pride in New York and the importance of living life as normally as possible after the events of Sept. 11.

Rudolph Giuliani, meanwhile, thanked fashion designers for keeping New York open for business, and in a continuing show of support, designers Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Kenneth Cole, Tommy Hilfiger and others wore Fashion for America T-shirts to the event. The audience was encouraged to buy the shirts, which go on sale Nov. 1, to benefit the mayor’s Twin Tower Relief Fund.

Below is a list of the winners for the 2001 VH-1/Vogue Fashion Awards:

 Visionary Video–Moby 

Designer of the Year–Marc Jacobs

Model of the Year–Stella Tennant

Rebel Designer–John Galliano

Best Dressed TV Show–Sex and the City

Red Carpet Award–Renee Zellweger

Leading Man–Jim Carrey

Outrageous Group–Destiny’s Child

Sharp Dressed Man–P. Diddy

Rock Style–Gwen Stefani

Newcomer Award–Josh Hartnett

The show, which brings together the best the worlds of music and fashion have to offer, will air live from New York on Oct. 23 at 9 p.m. EST.

As we wait for the festivities with much anticipation, here’s a quick look back at the highlights of the previous five shows. 

2000

The 2000 VH-1/Vogue Fashion Awards were hosted by Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen and actor Cuba Gooding Jr., and full of surprises. Designer John Galliano rocked the runway with his Indian headdress getup. Music superstars Destiny’s Child, Kid Rock and Lenny Kravitz made live performances.

Hollywood gals Uma Thurman, Renee Zellweger and Jennifer Lopez (the Versace Award winner) were resplendent. One notable pleasant surprise was seeing Stella McCartney, who won Designer of the Year, receive the award from her famous father, former Beatle Paul McCartney.

1999

Heather Locklear awed viewers in 1999, as she changed her outfit during each and every commercial break. Rap mogul Puff Daddy, co-hosted, but nobody was looking at him. Beck, Foo Fighters and Jennifer Lopez performed. Among the celebrity presenters at the event were Cindy Crawford, Rupert Everett, Matt LeBlanc and Charlize Theron.

1998

Music was certainly the reason 1998’s incarnation holds the title as “most watched,” with its premiere and encore seen by 36 million households, a 24% increase from the previous year. Madonna, Janet Jackson, the Smashing Pumpkins, the Goo Goo Dolls and Lenny Kravitz and Iggy Pop’s duet of David Bowie’s classic “Rebel Rebel” rocked the runways of New York City.

Naomi Campbell, Matt Dillon, Chris Issak, and Tyra Banks were among the presenters and Sting and Donatella Versace, sister of late designer Gianni Versace, presented Madonna with the coveted Versace Award.

1997

 Jim Carrey strolling down the runway wearing just a fig leaf over his groin area in the 1997 VH-1 Fashion Awards show was the defining moment from that year’s show.

Hosted by Harry Cornick Jr., and Ashley Judd, the show included appearances by Mariah Carey, Claudia Schiffer, RuPaul and Sarah Jessica Parker. Fiona Apple, Jamiroquai, En Vogue, ZZ Top and The Rolling Stones served as musical guests.

1996

Jean Paul Gaultier, Herb Ritts, Iman, and Stephanie Seymour were only some of the celebrities present at the inaugural ceremony.

Bryan Adams earned the Most Stylish Music Video Award, as he featured a fashion show in his video “The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You.” And proving that she can be a fashion diva as well as a glam rocker, Courtney Love won the Best Female Personal Style Award.

“Most of our fans are Latin American. They are the ones who keep me alive as an artist,” said singer Lupillo Rivera, who performed during the awards ceremony at the Jackie Gleason Theater on South Beach.

Son by Four, the group behind the infectious “A Puro Dolor,” won seven awards, including the year’s Hot Latin Track award for “A Puro Dolor.” The Puerto Rican quartet delivers a sound all their own, mixing flamenco, salsa and R&B in much of their music.

Dressed in bright, rich colors and sporting their friendliest smiles, celebs like Marc Anthony and Gloria Estefan came in person to pick up their awards. Anthony’s Desde Un Principio–From the Beginning won the Greatest Hits Album award.

Estefan, whose Alma Caribena won Best Female Tropical/Salsa Album, brought husband Emilio Estefan with her onstage to receive the award. She said that they are inseparable both musically and personally.

“Music is the soundtrack to our lives,” the Cuban-born singer said.

Estefan performed “Por Un Beso,” the title track from the Mexican soap opera of the same name, which has not been shown in the United States.

As for her future plans, Estefan said she has written a screenplay about metaphysics called Muchas Vidas, Muchos Sabios. She hopes to star in the film as well.

The Colombian group Los Tri-O, winners of the group award for a pop album for Mi Gloria, Eres Tu, dedicated the award to their country.

“The Colombian people can stop observing the war and observe the talent,” said Los Tri-O’s Manuel Pena.

Tito Puente Jr., son of “Oye Como Va” legend Tito Puente, attended the awards for a tribute to his late father. Tito Puente Sr. is considered a tremendous influence on many artists in the Latino community.

Salsa diva Celia Cruz presented the Hall of Fame Award to percussionist Mongo Santamaria for outstanding longtime artistic merit.

Mexican singer and actress Thalia, who attended the ceremony with her husband, Sony Music President Tommy Mottola, received the Billboard “Premio de la Estrella” [Star Award] in recognition of her contributions to Latin music.

“It gives me great honor to receive this award,” Thalia said tearfully.

Thalia said she was glad Latinos could gather and share their culture through their music. She also said that as a hard-working woman, she has always achieved all the goals she’s tried to reach in her lifetime.

“Chicano” band Los Lobos received the Lifetime Achievement Award for their 20-year-long career.

The band catapulted to fame in 1987 after singing the theme song for the Ritchie Valens tribute film, La Bamba.

“We are proud of what we have done,” Los Lobos’ David Hidalgo said after the ceremony. “We are glad to see that Latino music is getting what it’s supposed to be getting.”

Kings of Latin romanticism Ricardo Montaner, Julio Iglesias and Alejandro Fernandez were among the evening’s performers.

The Spanish-language Telemundo Network will air the event as a 2 ½ hour special at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Previously published on hollywood.com