U2 sweep board at Grammys

Irish rockers U2 swept the board at the Grammy awards today, scooping five gongs including album of the year for How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.

The record also earned the band the best rock album title, while they won song of the year and best rock performance for Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own.

Their track City Of Blinding Lights triumphed in the best rock song category.

U2’s success upstaged Mariah Carey, who with eight nominations had been billed of the comeback star of the night, but only picked up three awards in the end.

“I don’t know what to say. This is really a big, big night for our band,” frontman Bono told the 48th annual awards in Los Angeles.

The Chemical Brothers led the British winners, picking up the best dance recording award for Galvanize and best electronic/dance album for Push The Button.

Cartoon band Gorillaz, headed by Damon Albarn, won best vocal pop collaboration for their single Feel Good Inc, featuring De La Soul.

Paul McCartney, who had been nominated in three categories, went home empty-handed despite a rousing rendition of the Beatles’ Helter Skelter, his first at the Grammys.

Gorillaz, who kicked off the 48th annual awards in Los Angeles with a “performance” with Madonna, lost out in three categories.

The leotard-clad 47-year-old joined the characters on stage for Feel Good Inc, which was mixed into her hit Hung Up.

U2’s Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own is a tribute Bono wrote for his late father.

“I want to thank my father Bob for giving me voice and a bit of attitude,” he said as he accepted the song of the year trophy.

He added: “If you think this is going to go to our head, it’s too late.”

Accepting the best rock album award, guitarist The Edge said it was “amazing“.

“It means a hell of a lot to us,” he said. “An even more precious gift than the awards is the gift that you’ve all afforded us to continue to make our music.”