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Triumph, tragedy dominate Grammy Awards

Adele

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Singer Adele, winner of the GRAMMYs for Record of the Year for 'Rolling In The Deep', Album of the Year for '21', Song of the Year for 'Rolling In The Deep', Best Pop Solo Performance for 'Someone Like You', …
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Tony Bennett, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

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Adele, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

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Adele, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

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LL Cool J, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

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Skylar Grey, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

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Taylor Swift, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

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Katy Perry, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

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Billy Ray Cyrus, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

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Jessie J, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

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Fergie, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Singer Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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Wiz Khalifa; Amber Rose, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Rapper Wiz Khalifa (L) and model Amber Rose arrive at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images For The …
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Corinne Bailey Rae, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Singer Corinne Bailey Rae arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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Carrie Underwood, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Singer Carrie Underwood arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Birdman; Tyga; Mack Maine, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

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Bruno Mars, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Bruno Mars arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Mark Pontius; Mark Foster; Cubbie Fink, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: (L-R) Musicians Mark Pontius, Mark Foster and Cubbie Fink arrive at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images …
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Yvette Nicole Brown, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Actress Yvette Nicole Brown arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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Esperanza Spalding, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

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David Guetta, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

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Paris Hilton 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

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Leeland, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: (L-R) Musicians Leeland Dayton Mooring, Jack Anthony Mooring, Shelly Mooring and Mike Smith of Leeland arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, …
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Sasha Gradiva, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Singer Sasha Gradiva arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images For The Recording Academy)
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Rebecca Black, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Singer Rebecca Black arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images For The Recording Academy)
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Giuliana Rancic, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: TV personality Giuliana Rancic arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Shaggy, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Musician 'Shaggy' arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Sophia Grace (L) and Rosie, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Sophia Grace (L) and Rosie arrive at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Booker T Jones, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Musician Booker T. Jones arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Charlie Wilson, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Singer Charlie Wilson arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Nancy O'Dell, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: TV personality Nancy O'Dell arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Snooki, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: TV Personality Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images For The Recording …
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

The Band Perry, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: (L-R) Musicians Reid Perry, Kimberly Perry and Neil Perry arrive at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images …
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Alison Krauss, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Musician Alison Krauss arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Kelly Osbourne, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Television personality Kelly Osbourne arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Kathy Griffin, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Actress/Comedienne Kathy Griffin arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images For The Recording Academy)
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Deana Carter, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Singer Deana Carter arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Mumford & Sons, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: (L-R) Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall, Ted Dwane, and Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons arrive at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by …
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Mario Lopez, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Television personality Mario Lopez arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Coco; Ice-T, 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: TV personalities Coco (L) and Ice-T arrive at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images For The Recording …
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Posted: 02/12/2012

  • By DAVID BAUDER AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The splintered music world truly coalesces only one night of 365 for the Grammy Awards, and this year was united in the triumph of recovered British soul singer Adele's trophy haul and the tragedy of Whitney Houston's death.

Adele swept the major honors of song, record and album of the year Sunday for her lost-love epic "21" and its driving single "Rolling in the Deep." She picked up her final two awards after making her first public performance in months after being sidelined for throat surgery. Her total of six Grammys matched Beyonce for most ever by a female act.

After seeming almost sheepish in picking up some of the trophies ("This is ridiculous," she said after winning record of the year), Adele's tears flowed upon winning best album.

"This record is inspired by something that is really normal and everyone's been through it - just a rubbish relationship," she said. "It's gone on to do things that I can't tell you how I feel about them. It's been the most life-changing year."

The Foo Fighters won five Grammys for music that singer Dave Grohl said was made in his garage, and ceremony no-show Kanye West won four. Indie rockers Bon Iver won best new artist.

Show host LL Cool J's neat pivot allowed the assembled industry leaders to mourn Houston while enjoying the night's music. He offered a prayer at the outset for Houston, who died Saturday in a Beverly Hills hotel. Later Jennifer Hudson, under a portrait of the late vocalist, sang a portion of "I Will Always Love You." Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys, Rihanna and Stevie Wonder all saluted Houston.

"This night is about something truly universal and healing," LL Cool J said. "This night is about music."

Artists have fewer opportunities these days to reach large, diverse audiences and it has made the Grammys an increasingly important venue. Producers take advantage of the star power to pack the night with performances, deemphasizing the actual awards. Sunday's was a sprawling variety show, occasionally historic.

Bruce Springsteen sang a new populist anthem, "We Take Care of Our Own." Rihanna dueted with Chris Martin of Coldplay. Katy Perry debuted a shiny blue haircut. Keys and Bonnie Raitt honored Etta James. The Foo Fighters sang "Walk" and later participated in a tribute to new dance artists. Chris Brown hoofed it up a series of steps, although his voice was barely recognizable. Glen Campbell, soon to retire due to Alzheimer's, appeared in a tribute.

Maroon 5 and Foster the People played Beach Boy songs, then joined the Boys as they reunited for their 50th anniversary. Many believed Brian Wilson and Mike Love, who looked slightly stiff going through "Good Vibrations," would never appear on stage together again.

Paul McCartney sang a jazzy new song from his album of standards, then was joined by Springsteen, Grohl, Tom Petty and Joe Walsh on the Beatles' "Abbey Road" closing medley.

Then there was the truly unexplainable: Nicki Minaj's exorcism outing, ending with her levitating above the stage.

Adele was the uniting force. Her album was a critical hit and commercial powerhouse, and it would have been an upset if she hadn't joined Eric Clapton, the Dixie Chicks, Carole King, Paul Simon and Christoper Cross among artists to sweep the three biggest awards in one night.

"It's nice to see as music keeps evolving that something as authentic as she's putting out can still be not just relevant but dominating," said Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum, last year's record of the year winners.

Adele said backstage that her victories hadn't sunk in yet. She said she enjoyed the two months where a throat ailment forced her to keep quiet.

"I'm actually quite mouthy," she said.

As for the subject of "21," she said, "I think he'll be very happy for me."

Dan Wilson, who co-wrote Adele's "Someone Like You" and two other tracks on the disc, said he's excited about how well Adele has done because her songs are performed simply. It's all about the message and the emotion, he said.

"She stands up onstage and delivers them with tons of soul and heart," he said. "It almost seems like a trick she's doing that. She doesn't have any, like, elephants walking with her or, you know, fire and stuff like it. It seems like she has the most amazing trick, which is she's doing it with almost nothing, and is still blowing us away."

Paul Epworth, who worked with Adele on the album, won a Grammy for producer of the year.

While Adele's vocals are powerful, the singing of best new artist winner Justin Vernon of Bon Iver is often delicate, the music atmospheric. He won a competitive and diverse category with Minaj, The Band Perry, J. Cole and Skrillex. Appearing onstage in an ill-fitting suit jacket, Vernon talked about writing for the inherent reward of writing songs, not for trophies.

It doesn't mean he wasn't honored and grateful for the award, he said backstage later.

"At some point I got really nervous," he said. "Maybe it was because I didn't feel like I deserved to be here ...

This is the biggest night in music but it's also a very small Staples Center, and there's so much music out there in the world and it's so hard to feel like it's collecting the whole thing."

He gave an onstage shout-out to Eau Claire, Wis., probably a Grammy first.

Grohl shouted "long live rock `n' roll" as producers played LMFAO's "Party Rock" over the loudspeakers to get him offstage after the Foo Fighters won for best rock performance. He made a plea for musicians to recognize that the human element is what makes their art most important.

"It's not about being perfect. It's not about sounding absolutely correct. It's not about what goes on in a computer. It's about what goes on in here and what goes on in here," he said, pointing to his head and his heart.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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