Billboard’s Reminder That Old is the “New” New

With the deaths of Donna Summer and Robin Gibb last week and the earlier losses of Whitney Houston and Adam “MCA” Yauch, this year’s Billboard Music Awards show was heavy on nostalgia.

But aside from a moving performance from Jordin Sparks, who sang Houston’s trademark hit “I Will Always Love You,” the show was more a reminder of why modern day tunes just can’t stack up to those old favorites.

Houston’s daughter, Bobbi-Kristina—who alongside the rest of the family accepted Houston’s Billboard Millennium Award—summed it up well when she said that there “would be no one else like” her mother.

This portion of the show more than made up for various production hiccups and the fact that co-hosts Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell were essentially playing broad versions of their characters on ABC’s “Modern Family.”

Most of the night’s performances were average—more flash than bang. Chris Brown won top R&B artist, but his performance was more about spectacle than musical precision. With BMX riders performing tricks behind him and a wild dance routine, it was obvious he was wasn’t singing.

Natasha Bedingfield was trying her best when she attempted to smoothly serenade the audience with the sultry Donna Summer classic “Last Dance.” In spite of an honest effort, all Bedingfield did was fumble the words in what was ultimately a less than stellar tribute. That had to be the reason why they cut to a commercial in the middle of her performance.

But that was a more-fitting tribute than the mere seconds of silence for Gibb, who passed away about an hour before the show. Yauch, meanwhile got a quick reference from Billboard’s Top New Artist, Wiz Khalifa and an homage in the form of a performance of “You Gotta Fight For Your Right to Party” by Cee-Lo Green and the Goodie Mob. But that performance was ultimately more robotic than soulful.

The same thing goes for Nelly Furtado’s new single.

Aside from the tributes to music legends lost and Stevie Wonder’s acceptance of the Billboard Icon Award, it was a night for long acceptance speeches from pop stars like Katy Perry and Justin Bieber,

The duo of Sparks and John Legend were the only group to do their subjects proud. Bobbi-Kristina’s tears during the performance were more than justified. The emotions conveyed, especially in Sparks’ performance, made up for the glitz and glamour surrounding most of the event.

2012 Woman of the Year Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech was also a refreshing change of pace. Warm and sincere, Swift spoke about being home-schooled while she tried to advance her career and the sacrifices her family made for her success. She was likable and real.

The few real musicians who did perform were solid. Carrie Underwood was her normal stellar self, needing only a microphone to show off her talent, while rockers Linkin Park didn’t need fireworks or fancy pyro to prove they’ve come a long way as live performers over the past few years.They, of course, had fireworks anyway- for effect.

But it wasn’t enough to save a show that, between blatant product placement and over the top performances, simply wasn’t captivating.