AVRIL LAVIGNE - LAVIGNE AND K-OS TOP JUNO AWARDS

Rock chick AVRIL LAVIGNE and rapper K-OS were the big winners at this year's (05) JUNO AWARDS in Winnipeg, Canada, yesterday (03APR05).

The MY HAPPY ENDING singer, 20, was named Best Artist, Best Pop Album for UNDER MY SKIN and Fans' Choice for Canadian's most popular star.

Hip-hop star k-os, whose real name is KEVIN BRERETON, picked up Best Rap Recording for JOYFUL REBELLION, Best Single for CRABBUCKIT and Best Video for B-BOY STANC, at the glitzy ceremony in Winnipeg's MTS Centre.

A number of stars, including country singer KD LANG, paid tribute to ailing legend NEIL YOUNG, who was forced to cancel his scheduled performance at the Junos after suffering a brain aneurysm.

CONSTANT CRAVING hitmaker Lang said, "If there is a beacon or a bastion of an artist who has maintained his integrity and his uncompromising vision and purity... it is Neil Young. So Neil, I sing this for you. Heal fast my friend."

Juno broadcaster JOHN BRUNTON said Young, who watched the awards from his hospital bed, had been moved by Lang's cover of his track HELPLESS.

Brunton lamented, "He actually teared up and thought it was one of the most beautiful things."

Other winners on the night included Lavigne's boyfriend DERYCK WHIBLEY's band SUM 41, jazz star DIANA KRALL, BILLY TALENT and GREEN DAY for their album AMERICAN IDIOT.

The main winners include:

Best Single: CRABBUCKIT, K-OS

Fans' choice: AVRIL LAVIGNE

Best Album: BILLY TALENT, BILLY TALENT

Best Group: BILLY TALENT

Best New artist: FEIST

Best International album: AMERICAN IDIOT, GREEN DAY

Best Pop album: UNDER MY SKIN, AVRIL LAVIGNE

Best Rock album: CHUCK, SUM 41

Best New group: ALEXISONFIRE

Vocal jazz album: THE GIRL IN THE OTHER ROOM, DIANA KRALL.