Soul singer Adele triumphed in her return to music’s stage, scooping up six Grammys and winning every category in which she was nominated including album of the year for ‘21’ and best record with ‘Rolling In the Deep’ as well as song of the year, best pop solo performance, pop vocal and short video. As joyous as the show was for Adele, it was equally as serious with tributes to late pop star Whitney Houston, who died suddenly on Saturday. She was remembered by fellow artists in acceptance speeches and songs. Jennifer Hudson sang Houston’s signature hit, ‘I Will Always Love You,’ and Grammy host LL Cool J offered a prayer for Houston’s family, friends and fans. Other major Grammy winners included country’s Taylor Swift, who picked up Grammys for solo performance and country song with ‘Mean’, which she performed to a standing ovation. She had been expected to take best country album, too, but Lady Antebellum swooped in and took that prize with ‘Own the Night’. Grammy organisers give out awards in more than 75 categories. Rousing performances were given by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Chris Brown, Coldplay and Rihanna, Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson. Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt sang a duet of ‘A Sunday Kind of Love’ from Etta James, who also died in 2012. Nicki Minaj, Sir Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Grohl and others also performed.
One of the show’s more poignant moments came when Mitch and Janis Winehouse, parents of the late singer Amy Winehouse, accepted the award for best pop duo or group performance – Amy Winehouse and Tony Bennett for ‘Body and Soul’.
