Billboard Music Awards 2012 filled with performances and touching tributes

(CBS News) Sunday's Billboard Music Awards focused on tributes to late stars and performances by some of today's hottest music artists.

"Modern Family" stars Ty Burell and Julie Bowen hosted the three-hour ceremony, which was broadcast live from Las Vegas.

The night kicked off with a medley by LMFAO, who later won six awards, including the Hot 100 song of the year trophy for "Party Rock Anthem" and the duo/group honor.

But it was British songstress Adele who was the big winner of the night. Although she didn't attend the event, she scored 12 awards, including top artist, top female artist and top album. Lil Wayne and Coldplay each received four honors.

Taylor Swift received Billboard Woman of the Year honor, Justin Bieber picked up the award for the most social artist, and Katy Perry scored the Spotlight award for being the only female artist to have five No. 1 singles from one album.

The Billboard Music Awards honored singer Stevie Wonder with the Icon award. He performed "Higher Ground" and "Overjoyed" with Alicia Keys and closed out with "Superstition."

Other performers included Perry, Cee Lo Green, Linkin Park, The Wanted, Usher and Chris Brown.

The evening remembered Whitney Houston with the Millennium award, as singers John Legend and Jordin Sparks did versions of the late singer's hits of "The Greatest Love of All" and "I Will Always Love You."

Houston's teenage daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown accepted the honor alongside Houston's sister-in-law Pat Houston.

"Thank you so much for showing us that much love because she deserved it," an emotional Bobbi Kristina said. "She did. I'm just blessed to have been in such an incredible woman's life. There will never be another one, ever."

The Billboard Music Awards also paid tribute to late singers: Donna Summer, Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch and Bee Gees vocalist Robin Gibb.

It was during the live ceremony that news broke of Gibb's passing.

"It's a very, very sad thing that Robin Gibb has passed," British singer-songwriter Taio Cruz said. "I'm definitely going to be listening to their music for years to come. I think they will live on through their music and so that's a good thing."

See the winners here.

Tell us: What did you think about the 2012 Billboard Music Awards?