Cher Accepts Artist Achievement Award, Roasts Her Critics

12/10/2002 12:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Matt Ashare

(12/10/02, 12 a.m. ET) -- Cher was honored with the Artist Achievement Award, which was presented to her by Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, at the 2002 Billboard Music Awards on Monday (December 9) night.

Upon accepting the award, the legendary singer had a few choice words for her critics, including one which got past the Fox television censors during the live broadcast on the East Coast. "You know what, I've also had critics for the last 40 years saying that I was on my way out every year... so f--k 'em. I still have a job and they don't."

Presented annually, the award recognizes an artist who has helped redefine popular music through success on the Billboard charts. Past recipients include Aerosmith, Garth Brooks, Madonna, and Eric Clapton.

Cher's chart career is now into its fifth decade, and its highlights range from her first Number One in 1965 with "I Got You Babe," as part of the duo Sonny & Cher, through her first solo Number One in 1971 with "Gypsies, Tramps And Thieves," and her 1999 Number One comeback, "Believe."

In addition to her Artist Achievement Award, Cher also took home an award for dance/club play artist of the year.

-- Jason Gelman

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