In 1991 MTV was ten years old and it was time to celebrate. The good times were rolling and Arsenio Hall was invited to host the VMAs once again at the Universal Amphitheatre. It was the fourth consecutive year that the popular talk show host led the parade. It was a historic year at the VMAs too. The first incidence of violence at the awards, Bret Michaels and C.C. DeVille of the band Poison started throwing punches backstage and had to be restrained. In recognition of his contributions to the pop music culture, The Video Vanguard Award was renamed the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award (It was rarely given out after its renaming). The hugely popular Losing My Religion from R.E.M was the night’s big winner walking away with six Moonmen snapping up both Video of the Year and Breakthrough Video.
The controversial Pee-Wee Herman’s surprise visit received a standing ovation to which he cooly asked the audience "Heard any good jokes lately?” Silent Lucidity from the band Queensryche picked up the coveted Viewer's Choice award. Now when it came to performances, MTV roped in some big names for their special occasion, Mettalica spooked the audience with their eerie Enter Sandman, Guns N Roses whipped up a storm with Live and let die and Mariah Carey gave a breathtaking performance with her Emotions, other performers for the night included C+C Music Factory, Van Halen and Paula Abdul. It was one hell of a party.
List of Nominees and Winners at the MTV Video Music Awards 1991
Video of the Year
- R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
- C+C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
- Deee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart
- The Divinyls - I Touch Myself
- Chris Isaak - Wicked Game
- Queensryche - Silent Lucidity
Best Male Video
- Chris Isaak - Wicked Game
- Gerardo - Rico Suave
- Jon Bon Jovi - Blaze Of Glory
- George Michael – Freedom
Best Female Video
- Janet Jackson
- Paula Abdul - Rush Rush
- Neneh Cherry - I've Got You Under My Skin
- Amy Grant - Baby Baby
- Madonna - Like A Virgin
Best Group Video
- R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
- The Black Crowes - She Talks To Angels
- The Divinyls - I Touch Myself
- Queensryche - Silent Lucidity
Best Rap Video
- LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out
- 3rd Bass - Pop Goes The Weasel
- Monie Love - It's A Shame
- Ice T - New Jack Hustler
- DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Summertime
Best Dance Video
- C+C Music Factory
- Bingoboys - How To Dance
- Deee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart
- EMF – Unbelievable
Viewer's Choice
- Queensryche - Silent Lucidity
- C+C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
- Deee-Lite - Groove is in the Heart
- The Divinyls - I Touch Myself
- Chris Isaak - Wicked Game
- R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
Best New Artist
- Jesus Jones - Right Here, Right Now
- C+C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
- Deee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart
- Gerardo - Rico Suave
- Seal – Crazy
Breakthrough Video
- R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
- Deee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart
- Enigma - Sadness, Part I
- Seal – Crazy
Best Metal/Hard Rock
- Aerosmith
- AC/DC - Thunderstruck
- Alice In Chains - Man In The Box
- The Black Crowes - She Talks To Angels
- Faith No More - Falling To Pieces
- Guns N' Roses - You Could Be Mine
- Queensryche - Silent Lucidity
- Warrant - Uncle Tom's Cabin
Best Alternative Video
- Jane's Addiction - Been Caught Stealing
- Jesus Jones - Right Here, Right Now
- R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
- The Replacements - When It Began
Best Long Form Video
- Madonna
- Aerosmith - Things That Go Pump In The Night
- Peter Gabriel - P.O.V.
- R.E.M. - Tour Film
Best Video From A Film
- Chris Isaak - Wicked Game
- Bryan Adams - (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
- Guns N' Roses - You Could Be Mine
- Jon Bon Jovi - Blaze Of Glory
Best Direction
- R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
- Chris Isaak - Wicked Game
- George Michael - Freedom
- Queensryche - Silent Lucidity
Best Choreography
- C+C Music Factory
- Janet Jackson - Love Will Never Do (Without You)
- Madonna - Like A Virgin
- M.C. Hammer - Pray (Jam The Hammer Mix)
Best Special Effects
- Faith No More
- Bart Simpson - Do the Bartman
- Neneh Cherry - I've Got You Under My Skin
- M.C. Hammer - Here Comes The Hammer
- The Replacements - When It Began
- Seal – Crazy
Best Art Direction
- R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
- Edie Brickell & New Bohemians - Mama Help Me
- C+C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
- Faith No More - Falling To Pieces
- Janet Jackson - Love Will Never Do (Without You)
- Jellyfish - The King Is Half Undressed
- George Michael – Freedom
Best Editing
- R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
- C+C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
- Deee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart
- Chris Isaak - Wicked Game
- George Michael - Freedom
- Seal – Crazy
Best Cinematography
- Chris Isaak - Wicked Game
- LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out
- George Michael - Freedom
- R.E.M. - Losing My Religion