Classic Pop Icons

Adele was the big winner at last night’s Grammy Awards ceremony, picking up all six Grammys that she was nominated for, including the Big Three – Song and Record of the Year for “Rolling in the Deep,” and Album of the Year for “21.”

The other big winners were the Foo Fighters with five awards and Kanye West with four.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band opened the show with a rendition of the new single “We Take Care Of Our Own,” before host, LL Cool J asked the crowd to join him in a prayer for Whitney Houston who passed away on Saturday. Later in the ceremony, Jennifer Hudson performed the Dolly Parton-penned “I Will Always Love You,” which had been a monster hit for Houston in 1992.

The night had its usual array of unusual musical collaborations, including the reunited Beach Boys with Foster the People and Maroon 5; Rihanna with Coldplay’s Chris Martin; and Bonnie Raitt with Alicia Keys, who performed a tribute to Etta James.

Sir Paul McCartney closed the show with the Beatles medley “Golden Slumbers – Carry that weight – The End,” during which he was joined on stage by Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl and Joe Walsh.

Veteran artists Grammy round-up

Sir Paul McCartney’s “Band On The Run – Deluxe Edition” won in the Best Historical Album category, beating out Elvis Presley’s “Young Man With the Big Beat: The Complete ’56 Elvis Presley Masters,” Syl johnson’s “Complete Mythology” and the multi-artist compilation “The Bristol Sessions, 1927-1928: The Big Bang of Country Music.”

The Bruce Springsteen box set “The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story” won the Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition award, seeing off competition from Radiohead’s “The King of Limbs,” Sting’s “25 Years,” the Wingless Angels “Wingless Angels – Deluxe Edition,” and Danny Elfman & Tim Burton’s “25th Anniversary Music Box.”

Booker T. Jones won the Best Pop Instrumental Album award for his album “The Road to Memphis.”

Jeff Beck’s “Rock ‘N’ Roll Pary Honoring Les Paul” lost out in the Best Rock Album category to the Foo Fighters “Wasting Light.”

The Best Americana Album category was dominated by veteran acts, with Levon Helm’s “Ramble at the Ryman” triumphing over Emmylou Harris’ “Hard Bargain,” Ry Cooder’s “Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down,” Lucinda Williams’ “Blessed” and Linda Chorney’s “Emotional Jukebox.”

Greg Allman’s “Low Country Blues” was up against fellow Allman Brothers Band member Warren Haynes’ “Man in Motion” in the Best Blues Album category, but both lost out to Teseschi Trucks Band’s “Revelator.”

Veteran crooner, Tony Bennett, won the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album award for his “Duets II” album, and also the Best Pop Performance By A Duo/Group” award for his “Body and Soul” collaboration with Amy Winehouse.

Grammy Special Merit Awards

A number of veteran performers were also honoured at the Grammy Special Merit Awards ceremony, which took place at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on Saturday. There were Lifetime Achievement Grammys for Diana Ross, George Jones, composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, the Memphis Horns, Gil Scott-Heron, the Allman Brothers Band and Glen Campbell.

Trustees Awards, which recognise contributions to the music industry in areas other than performance, went to band leader and songwriter Dave Bartholomew, recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder and Apple impresario Steve Jobs.

Click here for the full list of Grammy winners.