British soul singer Adele, 23, dominated the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles Sunday night, earning six Grammys, including album of the year. There were moving moments at the annual ceremony as the music industry remembered Whitney Houston, who died Saturday -- but the show went on.
Adele’s Grammys included Album of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for 21 and Record and Song of The Year, which she shared with her producer, engineers and co-writer, for the track “Rolling in the Deep.”
The singer showed that her voice is in top form just three months after vocal chord surgery, as she performed onstage for the first time since November.
The Foo Fighters earned five Grammys, including Best Rock Album for Wasting Light and Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for “Walk.”
Bon Iver, a folk group headed by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon, was named Best New Artist and earned a second Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album.
The worldwide Grammy telecast began with a prayer for Whitney Houston, who died suddenly in her hotel room as she prepared to entertain at a pre-Grammy gala Saturday.
“We’ve had a death in our family," announced The rap singer, LL Cool J, who hosted the award show. "And, so at least for me, the only thing that feels right is to begin with a prayer for a woman we loved, for our fallen sister, Whitney Houston.”
(Click here to see Whitney Houston photo gallery)
Throughout the show, there were reminiscences, including a soulful rendition of one of the singer’s classic ballads by Jennifer Hudson.
“Whitney, we love, we love you,” Hudson sang.
There was little time to revamp the telecast, but Neil Portnow, president of the Recording Academy, which presents the Grammys, says the tributes added something important.
“Something that is uplifting, something that is inspirational, something that is healing, because we’re all hurting from this so much,” Portnow said.
Backstage, Hillary Scott of the country trio Lady Antebellum recalled Houston’s role inspiring her own music. Scott and her group earned the Grammy for Best Country Album for Own the Night.
“I just admired her and her craft. I mean, it’s a God-given gift and it’s tragic, Scott said. "It’s like there’s a hole in the heart of music, and I don’t know if it can ever be filled because she was just so unique and amazing.”
Whitney Houston won six Grammys during her career but faced problems with drug abuse. Authorities are investigating the cause of her death at the age of 48.
