Stewart, Hucknall, Lennox Top British Music Awards

Rod Stewart gave Britain’s biggest music awards ceremony its finest moments Tuesday night, joining Ron Wood and the other original Faces, plus ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman, for a powerful rendition of “Stay With Me.”

The crowd-pleasing reunion at the conclusion of the BRIT awards, Britain’s answer to the Grammys, followed Stewart’s aw-shucks acceptance of a lifetime achievement tribute, during which he recounted his humble roots, thanked many, many people, and gave a solo performance of his current single, a version of the Stones’ “Ruby Tuesday.”

“Collectively, there’s 234 years up here on stage,” Stewart yelled, referring to the three other wrinkly Faces, plus Wyman.

His comment curiously reflected criticism of the BRIT awards, now in their 11th year, as a bastion of the old guard that excludes new music and younger artists. The nominees and winners are selected by the 150 record companies that make up the British Phonographic Industry.

Despite the complaints, the event created its usual excitement although Prince, who was set to accept the award for best international solo artist, pulled out at the last minute. Cher was flown in from Los Angeles to accept on his behalf. Taking the Oscar-like statuette, she admitted she had never met Prince, but said she was a fan.

Among the other major award winners were Mick Hucknall of Simply Red, best British male artist; Annie Lennox, best British female artist; Simply Red, best British group; “Diva,” by Lennox, best album by a British artist; R.E.M., best international group; U2, best live act; Peter Gabriel, best producer; Nirvana, best international newcomer; and “Wayne’s World,” best soundtrack.

Also performing during the ceremony at London’s Alexandra Palace were Madness, Simply Red, British up-and-comers Suede and Peter Gabriel, who created a sort of live video to sing “Steam.” Dressed in a purple velvet suit at first, he stripped it off to reveal a fake muscleman body while a cast of odd characters and visual effects enlivened the stage around him.

After the ceremony, which was later broadcast on British television, the crowd of artists and music industry types repaired to the palace’s cavernous main hall for a party that was still going strong at 2 a.m. Record company executives, responding to criticism that young talent was being ignored at the festivities, contend that there is a dearth of popular new talent. But critics argue that important new bands are not getting their due, citing, for example, that the nominees for best British male artist consisted of Elton John, Eric Clapton, George Michael, Joe Cocker, Phil Collins and Mick Hucknall.

Complaining about record company mentality, Danny Kelly, editor of the music magazine Q, said, “Their idea of a good record is one that requires Securicor (an armored car company) to deliver their profits.”

Lisa Anderson, executive producer of the BRITS, agreed that the awards ceremony and its nominations system need to be overhauled. But she said that this year’s list of nominees “reflects that this was a year that did not see many top-selling new acts.”