LOS ANGELES — Amy Winehouse may have been physically absent from the Grammy awards Sunday, but her presence was strong as the troubled singer won four awards, including song of the year for her autobiographical hit “Rehab.”
Kanye West, with eight nominations, won four awards: best rap album for “Graduation,” best solo performance for “Stronger,” best rap song for “Good Life” and best rap performance by a duo or group for his collaboration with Common on “Southside.”
West delivered an electric, glow-in- the-dark rendition of “Stronger,” then segued into a stirring tribute to his mother, Donda West, who died unexpectedly last year at age 58.
“Last night, I saw you in my dreams, and now I can’t wait to go to sleep,” sang West, dressed in all black and with “Mama” etched into his haircut, as he launched into “Hey Mama,” a celebratory tune from his second album that has now turned into a somber ode.
When West accepted the best rap album trophy, the orchestra was trying to play him off the stage when he began speaking about his mother.
“It would be in good taste to stop the music,” West said — and the music stopped.
“I know you’re really proud of me right now,” West continued, “and I know you want me to be the No. 1 artist in the world, and Mama, all I’m going to do is keep making you proud. We run this.”
One of the most anticipated moments was still to come — a satellite performance by Winehouse, who was sprung from a rehab center to sing from a London studio. Besides song of the year and best new artist, she also won best pop vocal album for “Back to Black” and best female pop vocals.
The Grammys, celebrating its 50th year, emphasized its history with its first performance. Alicia Keys, glammed up with a ’50s style, sat at the piano and sang “Learnin’ the Blues” along with a black-and-white video performance from the late Frank Sinatra.
“Frank Sinatra looked good for 150, didn’t he?” Prince joked moments later before introducing Keys as the winner for best female R&B vocal for her smash “No One.” Later, the cast from Cirque Du Soleil’s “Love” Beatles’ show and the cast of the Beatles-inspired movie “Across the Universe” paid tribute to the Fab Four as Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and George Harrison’s widow Olivia Harrison watched from the audience.
It was a hot-legs competition when Tina Turner teamed up with Beyonce on “Proud Mary.” The senior citizen kept up with her younger counterpart, showcasing her famous dance moves while wearing a tight silver bustier.
Carrie Underwood was an early performer with her revenge anthem, “Before He Cheats,” which earned two Grammys, including for best female country vocal performance.
Bruce Springsteen took three pre- show Grammys, including best rock song for “Radio Nowhere.” Other early winners included the White Stripes, Justin Timberlake and Mary J. Blige with two each, the Foo Fighters and Herbie Hancock.
Though the pre-telecast ceremony, where most of the Grammys’ 110 categories are doled out, is usually low on star wattage, there were several big names on hand, including Underwood, the Foos and Brad Paisley.
“You couldn’t keep me from actually getting this myself. It’s not the same when someone else gets this on your behalf,” said Underwood.
In any other year, West would have been the main storyline thanks to his history of awards-show tirades, his huge album and the shocking death of his mother. But the absent Winehouse, up for six trophies, threatened to upstage everyone.
The 24-year-old singer-songwriter’s personal life has fallen apart over the past year as her career blossomed. She was rejected Thursday for a U.S. work visa, and Grammy producers arranged for her to perform via telecast. The government reversed itself and approved Winehouse, but it was too late for her to make the cross-continental trek.
