Plant, Krauss nab 5 Grammy Awards

LOS ANGELES - In the end, the 51st Grammy Awards went young, but not that young.

Though the show will be rightfully applauded for celebrating a wide swath of edgy, contemporary music, an established act ultimately won the day. "Raising Sand" - the collaboration between 60-year-old heavy metal pioneer Robert Plant and 37-year-old bluegrass singer Alison Krauss - took a leading five trophies, including album of the year and record of the year.

New Orleans rapper Lil Wayne was next with four wins, while Brit-poppers Coldplay nabbed three trophies.

"I'm bewildered," Plant said. "In the old days we would have called this selling out, but I think it's a good way to spend a Sunday."

Most Grammy shows are notable partially for what goes wrong, and this year's edition wasn't without its own headline-grabbing controversy.

Barbadian singer Rihanna was scheduled to perform a medley of "Live Your Life" and "Disturbia" with longtime boyfriend Chris Brown. Her performance was cancelled just before showtime amid news that police were investigating Brown - a double Grammy nominee - for an alleged assault on an unidentified woman. Police said Brown later turned himself in to authorities.

As the news about Brown spread through the Staples Center, Al Green took Rihanna's place onstage to sing a spirited version of "Let's Stay Together" with Justin Timberlake, Boyz II Men and Keith Urban.

Brown's scheduled performance of "Forever" was skipped entirely.

Another singer who has been in the news provided an early highlight.

An emotional Jennifer Hudson accepted the award for best R&B album. She has only recently returned to the spotlight after being in seclusion since the October slayings of her mother, brother and nephew.

"I would like to thank my family in heaven, and those who are here today," said Hudson, who later broke down in tears after a powerful rendition of "You Pulled Me Through."

It was Hudson's first Grammy.

Krauss, conversely, now owns a staggering 26 career Grammys - she already had more than any other female artist before the show started.

She and Plant also won best pop collaboration with vocals for "Rich Woman," which they later performed, best contemporary folk/Americana album and best country collaboration with vocals for "Killing the Blues."

"We are thrilled and very grateful," Krauss said. "It's been a wonderful time."

Producer T-Bone Burnett confirmed afterwards that the pair were working on another album together.

Plant now has seven Grammys, though he never won while fronting Led Zeppelin. He said he understood why his band wasn't as highly regarded by critics.

"(They) said we were insignificant philanderers, and they couldn't have been more right," he deadpanned backstage. "And now I'm as old as they were, and I don't like a lot of the (stuff) that's going on now."

Meanwhile, other less established acts also got some time in the spotlight.

Lil Wayne - who led with eight nominations going into the show and whose album "Tha Carter III" sold more copies than anything else in 2008 - won for best rap album, best rap performance for "A Milli," best rap song for "Lollipop" and best rap performance by a duo or group, which he shared with T.I., Jay-Z and Kanye West for "Swagga Like Us."

The 26-year-old, who's nicknamed Weezy for his scratchy drawl, later performed a medley that included "Tie My Hands," his ode to post-Katrina New Orleans. Robin Thicke, son of Canadian actor Alan Thicke, sang with him on the performance.

Upon reaching the stage to accept best rap album, the heavily tattooed rapper hopped in the air and clicked his heels.

"Thank god, thank New Orleans, thank these people you see right here, and thank you," said Lil Wayne, who accepted the award with a group that included his young daughter.

Coldplay, meanwhile, took best rock album for "Viva La Vida," best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals and song of the year for "Viva La Vida."

That award is given to the songwriter, not performer, which is notable because Joe Satriani has filed a lawsuit against Coldplay claiming that they swiped the riff from his 2004 instrumental "If I Could Fly" for the hit track.

"Thank you so much, we've never had so many Grammys in our lives," said frontman Chris Martin, who earlier performed on piano with New York rapper Jay-Z before joining his group onstage for "Viva La Vida. "I'm going to tear up, it's going to be crazy."

In another of the night's compelling storylines, a very pregnant M.I.A. - who was actually scheduled to deliver her baby on Sunday night - braved the stage to perform with West, T.I., Lil Wayne and Jay-Z on "Swagga Like Us," which samples her hit, "Paper Planes."

She had previously expressed concern about inducing labour during the show, but didn't seem too bothered while onstage, hopping from side to side in a strange outfit that featured polka dots across her chest and belly.

"Let's give her a big hand for going through all that," said actress Kate Beckinsale following the performance.

Added Estelle, whose "American Boy" won best rap/sung collaboration: "I was like, oh my god, she's going to break any minute now."

British singer Adele won best new artist, Sugarland, with their second award of the evening, took best country performance by a duo or group with vocals, Radiohead won best alternative album and John Mayer nabbed two trophies, including best male pop vocal performance.

Last year's show - one of the worst-rated in Grammy history - ended with Herbie Hancock pulling off an upset win for album of the year.

This year, the show boasted a relevant list of nominees and seemed to make an effort to appeal to both younger fans and music lovers.

Though U2 wasn't nominated, the Irish band kicked off the show with its frontman sporting a new look.

Bono wore clear shades in place of his usual black ones, then ditched them to reveal heavy black eyeliner as his band performed their new single, "Get On Your Boots."

McCartney, keyed by some aggressive drumming from Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, howled through a blistering take on the Beatles' "I Saw Her Standing There."

With Radiohead making their first appearance on U.S. television since 2000, the University of Southern California marching band gave the British band's "15 Steps" even more pounding rhythmic heft.

And Atlanta rapper T.I., performing live for the last time before heading to prison in March to serve a one-year weapons sentence, was accompanied by Timberlake on piano for an impassioned take on "Dead and Gone." He finished the song staring down at his shoes, while Timberlake rose to applaud him.

In other performances, soul legend Stevie Wonder teamed up with teen-pop act the Jonas Brothers, Carrie Underwood belted a rocked-out "Last Name" and Katy Perry pranced through a super-suggestive performance of her hit, "I Kissed a Girl."

And Neil Diamond, who was honoured at a gala event on Friday, sang "Sweet Caroline."

A number of artists pulled down multiple Grammy awards in the afternoon ceremony, where the bulk of trophies are handed out, including Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, French dance duo Daft Punk and neo-soul crooner Ne-Yo and soul legend Green, who had surprisingly only ever won one Grammy prior to Sunday.

So how was the reverend going to celebrate?

"I'm going to repent because I wasn't at church this morning," Green said backstage afterwards. "That's No. 1."

Canadian Grammy hopefuls, meanwhile, went home disappointed.

Montreal-born film director Jason Reitman picked up a trophy for the soundtrack to his teenage pregnancy movie, "Juno," but all other Canadian nominees were shut out.

Reitman called the Grammy - the first to be handed out at the afternoon ceremony before the televised gala - an "enormous surprise," adding that he came to the show to watch McCartney and Timberlake.

A complete list of winners at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.

Album of the Year: "Raising Sand," Robert Plant and Alison Krauss; T Bone Burnett, producer; Mike Piersante, engineer/mixer; Gavin Lurssen, mastering engineer (Rounder)

Rap Album: "Tha Carter III," Lil Wayne (Cash Money/Universal Motown)

Male Pop Vocal Performance: "Say," John Mayer; track from "Continuum" (Columbia)

Record of the Year: "Please Read The Letter," Robert Plant and Alison Krauss; T Bone Burnett, producer; Mike Piersante, engineer/mixer; track from "Raising Sand" (Rounder)

New Artist: Adele

Rock Album: "Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends," Coldplay (Capitol)

Pop Collaboration With Vocals: "Rich Woman," Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, track from "Raising Sand" (Rounder)

Song of the Year: "Viva La Vida," Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay), track from "Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends" (Capitol Records; Publishers: Universal Music-MGB Songs)

Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals: "Stay," Sugarland, track from "Enjoy the Ride" (Mercury)

R&B Album: "Jennifer Hudson," Jennifer Hudson (Arista)

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Rick Rubin

Producer of the Year, Classical: David Frost

Female Pop Vocal Performance: "Chasing Pavements," Adele, track from "19" (Columbia/XL)Traditional Pop Vocal Album: "Still Unforgettable," Natalie Cole (DMI)

Pop Vocal Album: "Rockferry," Duffy (Mercury)

Pop Instrumental Performance: "I Dreamed There Was No War," Eagles, track from "Long Road Out of Eden" (Eagles Recording Company)

Pop Instrumental Album: "Jingle All the Way," Bela Fleck & The Flecktones (Rounder)

Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals: "Viva La Vida," Coldplay, track from "Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends" (Capitol)

Alternative Music Album: "In Rainbows," Radiohead (TBD)

Solo Rock Vocal Performance: "Gravity," John Mayer, track from "Where The Light Is: Live in Los Angeles" (Columbia)

Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals: "Sex on Fire," Kings of Leon (RCA)

Hard Rock Performance: "Wax Simulacra," The Mars Volta (Universal Motown)

Metal Performance: "My Apocalypse," Metallica, track from "Death Magnetic" (Warner Bros.)

Rock Instrumental Performance: "Peaches En Regalia," Zappa Plays Zappa featuring Steve Vai and Napoleon Murphy Brock (Strobosonic/Razor & Tie Entertainment)

Rock Song: "Girls in Their Summer Clothes," Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen), track from "Magic" (Columbia; Publisher: Bruce Springsteen)

Rap Solo Performance: "A Milli," Lil Wayne, track from "Tha Carter III" (Cash Money/Universal Motown)

Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: "Swagga Like Us," Jay-Z and T.I. featuring Kanye West and Lil Wayne (Roc-A-Fella/Grand Hustle/Atlantic)

Rap/Sung Collaboration: "American Boy," Estelle featuring Kanye West, track from "Shine" (Homeschool/Atlantic)

Rap Song: "Lollipop," Dwayne Carter, Darius Harrison, James Scheffer, Stephen Garrett and Rex Zamor, songwriters (Lil Wayne featuring Static Major), track from "Tha Carter III" (Cash Money/Universal Motown; Publishers: Young Money Publishing/Warner-Chappell Music, Herbalicious Music/Blackfountain Music/EMI-April Music, JimiPub Music/EMI Blackwood, Three Nails and A Crown Publishing/Roynet Music)

Country Song: "Stay," Jennifer Nettles, songwriter (Sugarland), track from "Enjoy the Ride" (Mercury Records; Publisher: Jennifer Nettles Publishing)

Country Album: "Troubadour," George Strait (MCA Nashville)

Female Country Vocal Performance: "Last Name," Carrie Underwood, track from "Carnival Ride" (19/Arista/Arista Nashville)

Male Country Vocal Performance: "Letter to Me," Brad Paisley, track from "5th Gear" (Arista Nashville)

Country Collaboration with Vocals: "Killing the Blues," Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, track from "Raising Sand" (Rounder)

Country Instrumental Performance: "Cluster Pluck," Brad Paisley, James Burton, Vince Gill, John Jorgenson, Albert Lee, Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert and Steve Wariner (Arista Nashville)

R&B Song: "Miss Independent," Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen and Shaffer Smith, songwriters (Ne-Yo), track from "Year of the Gentleman" (Def Jam/Compound; Publishers: Pen in the Ground Publishing, Universal Music-Z Tunes)

Contemporary R&B Album: "Growing Pains," Mary J. Blige (Geffen)

Female R&B Vocal Solo: "Superwoman," Alicia Keys, track from "As I Am" (J)

Male R&B Vocal Solo: "Miss Independent," Ne-Yo, track from "Year of the Gentleman" (Def Jam/Compound)

R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals: "Stay With Me (By the Sea)," Al Green featuring John Legend, track from "Lay It Down" (Blue Note)

Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: "You've Got the Love I Need," Al Green featuring Anthony Hamilton, track from "Lay It Down" (Blue Note)

Urban/Alternative Performance: "Be OK," Chrisette Michele featuring will.i.am, track from "I Am" (Def Jam)

Dance Recording: "Harder Better Faster Stronger," Daft Punk, Thomas Bangalter and Guy Manuel de Homem-Christo, producers; Thomas Bangalter and Guy Manuel de Homem-Christo, mixers; track from "Alive 2007" (Virgin)

Electronic Dance Album: "Alive 2007," Daft Punk (Virgin)

Bluegrass Album: "Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: Tribute to 1946 and 1947," Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder (Skaggs Family)

Traditional Blues Album: "One Kind Favor," B.B. King (Geffen)

Contemporary Blues Album: "City That Care Forgot," Dr. John and The Lower 911 (429)

New Age Album: "Peace Time," Jack DeJohnette (Golden Beams/Kindred Rhythm)

Contemporary Jazz Album: "Randy in Brasil," Randy Brecker (MAMA)

Jazz Vocal Album: "Loverly," Cassandra Wilson (Blue Note)

Jazz Instrumental Solo: "BE-BOP," Terence Blanchard, soloist; track from "Live at the 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival" (Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars) (Monterey Jazz Festival)

Jazz Instrumental Album Individual or Group: "The New Crystal Silence," Chick Corea and Gary Burton (Concord)

Large Jazz Ensemble Album: "Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard," The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (Planet Arts Recordings)

Latin Jazz Album: "Song for Chico," Arturo O'Farrill and The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra (Zoho)

Latin Pop Album: "La Vida ... Es Un Ratico," Juanes (Universal Music Latino)

Latin Rock or Alternative Album: "45," Jaguares (EMI Music)

Latin Urban Album: "Los Extraterrestres," Wisin y Yandel (Machete Music)

Tropical Latin Album: "Senor Bachata," Jose Feliciano (Universal Music Latino)

Regional Mexican Album: "Amor, Dolor y Lagrimas: Musica Ranchera," Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings) in a tie with "Canciones de Amor," Mariachi Divas (Shea/East Side)

Tejano Album: "Viva La Revolucion," Ruben Ramos and The Mexican Revolution (Revolution)

Norteno Album: "Raices," Los Tigres Del Norte (Fonovisa)

Banda Album: "No Es De Madera" Joan Sebastian (Musart/Balboa)

Traditional Folk Album: "At 89," Pete Seeger (Appleseed Recordings)

Contemporary Folk/Americana Album: "Raising Sand," Robert Plant and Alison Krauss (Rounder)

Native American Music Album: "Come to Me Great Mystery: Native American Healing Songs," (Various Artists) Tom Wasinger, producer (Silver Wave)

Hawaiian Music Album: "Ikena," Tia Carrere and Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations)

Zydeco or Cajun Music Album: "Live at the 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival," BeauSoleil and Michael Doucet (MunckMix)

Engineering Album, Classical: "Traditions and Transformations: Sounds of Silk Road Chicago," David Frost, Tom Lazarus and Christopher Willis, engineers (Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Alan Gilbert, Silk Road Ensemble, Wu Man, Yo-Yo Ma and Chicago Symphony Orchestra) (CSO Resound)

Reggae Album: "Jah Is Real," Burning Spear (Burning Music Production)

Traditional World Music Album: "Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu," Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Heads Up International)

Contemporary World Music Album: "Global Drum Project," Mickey Hart, Zakir Hussain, Sikiru Adepoju and Giovanni Hidalgo (Shout! Factory)

Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: "Juno," (Various Artists) Peter Afterman, Jason Reitman and Margaret Yen, producers (Fox Music/Rhino)

Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Television or Other Visual Media: "The Dark Knight," James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer, composers (Warner Sunset/Warner Bros.)

Polka Album: "Let the Whole World Sing," Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra (Rounder)

Gospel Performance: "Get Up," Mary Mary; track from "The Sound" (Columbia)

Gospel Song: "Help Me Believe," Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin); track from "The Fight of My Life" (Fo Yo Soul Ent./Zomba Gospel; Publishers: Universal Music-Z Songs/Kerrion Publishing)

Rock or Rap Gospel Album: "Alive and Transported," TobyMac (ForeFront Records EMI CMG)

Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: "Thy Kingdom Come," CeCe Winans (PureSprings Gospel/EMI Gospel)

Southern, Country, Bluegrass Gospel: "Lovin' Life," Gaither Vocal Band (Gaither Music Group)

Traditional Gospel Album: "Down in New Orleans," The Blind Boys of Alabama (Time Life)

Contemporary R&B Gospel Album: "The Fight of My Life," Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul Entertainment/Zomba Gospel)

Classical Album: "Weill: Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny," James Conlon, conductor; Anthony Dean Griffey, Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald; Fred Vogler, producer (Donnie Ray Albert, John Easterlin, Steven Humes, Mel Ulrich and Robert Worle; Los Angeles Opera Chorus; Los Angeles Opera Orchestra) (EuroArts)

Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: "Down to Earth," ("WALL-E") Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, songwriters (Peter Gabriel) (Walt Disney/Pixar; Publishers: Walt Disney Music, Wonderland Music/Pixar Talking Pictures/Pixar Music)

Musical Show Album: "In the Heights," Kurt Deutsch, Alex Lacamoire, Andres Levin, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Joel Moss and Bill Sherman, producers; Lin-Manuel Miranda, composer/lyricist (Original Broadway Cast with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Others) (Razor & Tie Entertainment/Ghostlight)

Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Story Telling): "An Inconvenient Truth (Al Gore)," Beau Bridges, Cynthia Nixon and Blair Underwood (Simon & Schuster Audio)

Musical Album for Children: "Here Come the 123s," They Might Be Giants (Disney Sound)

Spoken Word Album Children: "Yes to Running! Bill Harley Live," Bill Harley (Round River)

Comedy Album: "It's Bad for Ya," George Carlin (Eardrum)

Instrumental Composition: "The Adventures of Mutt," (from "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," John Williams, composer (John Williams), track from "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" soundtrack (Concord)

Instrumental Arrangement: "Define Dancing," (from "WALL-E") Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, arrangers (Thomas Newman), track from "WALL-E" soundtrack (Walt Disney)

Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): "Here's That Rainy Day," Nan Schwartz, arranger (Natalie Cole), track from "Still Unforgettable" (DMI)

Engineered Album, Non-Classical: "Consolers of the Lonely," Joe Chiccarelli, Vance Powell and Jack White III, engineers (The Raconteurs) (Third Man/Warner Bros.)

Remixed Recording: "Electric Feel (Justice Remix)," Justice, remixers (MGMT), Track from: "Oracular Spectacular" (Columbia)

Surround Sound Album: "Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Night on Bald Mountain; Prelude to Khovanshchina," Michael Bishop, surround mix engineer; Michael Bishop, surround mastering engineer; Robert Woods, surround producer (Paavo Jarvi and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra) (Telarc)

Opera Recording: "Weill: Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny," James Conlon, conductor; Anthony Dean Griffey, Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald; Fred Vogler, producer (Donnie Ray Albert, John Easterlin, Steven Humes, Mel Ulrich and Robert Worle; Los Angeles Opera Orchestra; Los Angeles Opera Chorus) (EuroArts)

Orchestral Performance: "Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4," Bernard Haitink, conductor (Chicago Symphony Orchestra) (CSO Resound)

Choral Performance: "Symphony of Psalms," Sir Simon Rattle, conductor; Simon Halsey, chorus master (Berliner Philharmoniker; Rundfunkchor Berlin) track from "Stravinsky: Symphonies" (EMI Classics)

Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (With Orchestra): "Schoenberg/Sibelius: Violin Concertos," Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor; Hilary Hahn (Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra) (Deutsche Grammophon)

Instrumental Soloist Performance (Without Orchestra): "Piano Music of Salonen, Stucky, and Lutoslawski," Gloria Cheng (Telarc)

Chamber Music Performance: "Carter, Elliott: String Quartets Nos. 1 and 5," Pacifica Quartet (Naxos)

Small Ensemble Performance: "Spotless Rose: Hymns to the Virgin Mary," Charles Bruffy, conductor; Phoenix Chorale (Chandos)

Classical Vocal Performance: "Corigliano: Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan," Hila Plitmann (JoAnn Falletta; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra) (Naxos)

Classical Contemporary Composition: "Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan," John Corigliano (JoAnn Falletta); track from: "Corigliano: Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan" (Naxos)

Classical Crossover Album: "Simple Gifts," The King's Singers (Signum)

Short Form Music Video: "Pork and Beans," Weezer, Mathew Cullen, video director; Bernard Rahill, video producder (DGC/Interscope)

Long Form Music Video: "Runnin' Down a Dream," Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Peter Bogdanovich, video director; Skot Bright, video producer (Warner Bros.)

Recording Package: "Death Magnetic," Bruce Duckworth, Sarah Moffat and David Turner, art directors (Metallica) (Warner Bros.)

Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package: "In Rainbows," Stanley Donwood, Mel Maxwell and Christiaan Munro, art directors (Radiohead)

Album Notes: "Kind of Blue: 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition," Francis Davis, album notes writer (Miles Davis) (Columbia/Legacy Recordings)

Historical Album: "Art of Field Recording Volume I: Fifty Years of Traditional American Music Documented by Art Rosenbaum," Steven Lance Ledbetter and Art Rosenbaum, compilation producers; Michael Graves, mastering engineering (Various Artists) (Dust-to-Digital)