The 13th Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as the ARIA Music Awards or simply The ARIAS) was held on 12 October 1999 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Hosted by Paul McDermott and Bob Downe, and presenters, including Melanie C of the Spice Girls, Tina Cousins, Fiona Horne and Molly Meldrum, distributed 33 awards. The big winner for the year was Powderfinger with four awards.
Two new categories, Best Original Cast / Show Recording and Best Blues and Roots Album were created; while Song of the Year (Songwriter), Best Indigenous Release and Best New Talent categories were retired. In addition to the annually presented awards, a Special Achievement Award was received by both recording studio owner Bill Armstrong (see Armstrong Studios) and Fable Record's creator Ron Tudor. An Outstanding Achievement Award was received by Natalie Imbruglia. The ARIA Hall of Fame inducted: Jimmy Little and Richard Clapton.
Ceremony details
The ceremony was hosted by TV comedians, Paul McDermott and Bob Downe, and 33 awards were presented by Melanie C of the Spice Girls, Tina Cousins, Fiona Horne, former Countdown host Molly Meldrum and others.
Presenters and performers
Presenters and performers were:
Awards
Final nominees for awards are shown in plain, with winners in bold.
ARIA Awards
Album of the Year
Powderfinger – Internationalist
Ben Lee – Breathing Tornados
The Living End – The Living End
Silverchair – Neon Ballroom
Spiderbait – Grand Slam
Single of the Year
Powderfinger – "The Day You Come" Josh Abrahams – "Addicted to Bass" Ben Lee – "Cigarettes Will Kill You" Regurgitator – "! (The Song Formerly Known As)" Silverchair – "Ana's Song (Open Fire)" Highest Selling Album John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John, Anthony Warlow – Highlights from The Main Event Cold Chisel – The Last Wave of Summer Natalie Imbruglia – Left of the Middle Regurgitator – Unit The Living End – The Living End
Highest Selling Single
Joanne / BZ – "Jackie" Bachelor Girl – "Buses and Trains" Human Nature – "Last to Know" Savage Garden – "The Animal Song" Silverchair – "Anthem for the Year 2000"