(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.
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.”
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.
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."
Winners List:
Record of the year: Adele – Rolling In The Deep
Album of the year: Adele – 21
Song of the year: Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth (songwriters) – Rolling In The Deep
New artist: Bon Iver
Pop solo performance: Adele – Someone Like You
Rock album: Foo Fighters – Wasting Light
Pop duo: Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse – Body and Soul
Pop vocal album: Adele – 21
Rap album: Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Dance/electronica album: Skrillex – Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites
Rock performance: Foo Fighters – Walk
Hard rock/metal performance: Foo Fighters – White Limo
Rock song: Foo Fighters (songwriters) – Walk
Alternative music album: Bon Iver – Bon Iver
Traditional R&B performance: Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona – Fool for You
R&B song: Cee Lo Green, Melanie Hallim, Jack Splash (songwriters) – Fool for You
R&B album: Chris Brown – FAME
Rap performance: Jay-Z & Kanye West – Otis
Rap/sung collaboration: Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie – All of the Lights
Rap song: Jeff Bhasker, Stacy Ferguson, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West (songwriters) – All of the Lights
Country solo performance: Taylor Swift – Mean
Country song: Taylor Swift (songwriter) – Mean
Country album: Lady Antebellum – Own The Night
View the full list of winners.
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