The MTV Video Music Awards has always had its share of ad-libbed moments, and last night's festivities at New York City's Radio City Music Hall were no exception. Rage Against the Machine bassist Tim Commerford scaled a fifteen-foot stage prop directly behind the podium, and dangled there for several minutes while Fred Durst and Limp Bizkit accepted their award for Best Rock Video. Rage was one of the runners-up for the award.

After climbing the structure Commerford began shifting his body weight, causing the apparatus to swing as the crowd urged him to "jump." Commerford screamed something back, but it was inaudible, because of the uproar of the audience. Meanwhile a panicked security team surrounded the structure and tried to talk the bassist down. "This guy is rock & roll," Durst said. "He should be getting the award. I hope he's OK. I hope he gets his head checked soon."

When Commerford was finally removed, he was rushed offstage by a battalion of plain-clothes police officers, pushed up against a limousine and handcuffed.

A spokesperson for the NYPD said the musician was charged with assault and resisting arrest, while his bodyguard, Perrin Beatle, who jumped to his defense as Commerford was removed from the stage, was changed with obstructing justice.

JAAN UHELSZKI
(September 8, 2000)