Michael Jackson was honoured with four American Music Awards (AMAs) last night (22.11.09).

The late ‘Thriller’ singer’s brother Jermaine Jackson paid tribute to the star when accepting the prizes for Favourite Soul/ R’n'B Artist, Favourite Pop/Rock Male Vocalist, Favourite Pop/Rock Album and Favourite Soul/R’n'B Album for his ‘Number Ones’ greatest hits compilation, praising his life philosophy.

Wearing a single white glove in tribute to Michael, Jermaine said: “It’s not just about the winnings, the awards. It’s mainly the message. The message Michael had will live on forever. He saw good in everyone. Start with love and let’s love each other.”

Michael’s wins took him to a record-breaking total of 23 AMAs for his career, however, he failed to win Artist of the Year, the only other category he was nominated in.

The honour went instead to ‘Love Story’ singer Taylor Swift, who was amazed to be handed five accolades, including Favourite Pop/Rock Female Artist, Favourite Adult-Contemporary Artist, Favourite Country Album for ‘Fearless’ and Favourite Country Female Artist.

After being named Artist of the Year, she said in a video acceptance speech from London: “To even be mentioned in a category with Michael Jackson is an unimaginable honour. I’m sending my love to the Jackson family.”

Black Eyed Peas were named Favourite Soul/ R’n'B Group and Favourite Pop/Rock Group and wowed the audience at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre with a rendition of their hits ‘I Got A Feeling’ and ‘Boom Boom Pow’, backed by dancers wearing outfits made of stereo speakers.

Janet Jackson had opened the show with a medley of her greatest hits, while Lady Gaga’s performance also proved a talking point.

The ‘Poker Face’ singer, wearing a spectacular headdress and vest filled with lights, performed songs from her new album, ‘The Fame Monster’, and used her microphone to break into a glass case containing a grand piano. As she started to play, the instrument caught fire.

Other performers included Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys and Jay-Z, and Jennifer Lopez, who fell over mid-way through her tricky dance routine.

American Music Awards 2009 full list of winners:

Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift

Pop/Rock:

Favourite Male Artist: Michael Jackson

Favourite Female Artist: Taylor Swift

Favourite Band, Duo or Group: The Black Eyed Peas

Favourite Album: ‘Number Ones’, Michael Jackson

Country:

Favourite Male Artist: Keith Urban

Favourite Female Artist: Taylor Swift

Favourite Band, Duo or Group: Rascal Flatts

Favourite Album: ‘Fearless’, Taylor Swift

Soul/ R’n'B:

Favourite Male Artist: Michael Jackson

Favourite Female Artist: Beyonce Knowles

Favourite Band, Duo or Group: The Black Eyed Peas

Favourite Album: ‘Number Ones’, Michael Jackson

Rap/ Hip Hop:

Favourite Male Artist: Jay-Z

Favourite Album: ‘Blueprint 3′, Jay-Z

Adult Contemporary:

Favourite Artist: Taylor Swift

Latin Music:

Favourite Artist: Aventura

Alternative Rock:

Favourite Artist: Green Day

Contemporary Inspirational:

Favourite Artist: Mary Mary

Soundtracks:

Favourite Album: Twilight Soundtrack

T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist: Gloriana