Comeback kid wins record six Grammys

The splintered music world truly coalesces only one night each year, the night of 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 honours of Song, Record and Album of the Year on 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 matches Beyonce for most ever by a female act in a single year.

After seeming almost sheepish in picking up some of the trophies (“This is ridiculous,” she said after winning Record of the Year), 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.”

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, just four years after releasing their debut album.

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 on Saturday. Later Jennifer Hudson sang a portion of I Will Always Love You.

In spite of this sombre note, the Grammys proved to be a sprawling variety show, and was occasionally historic.

Bruce Springsteen sang a new populist anthem, We Take Care of Our Own. Rihanna dueted with Chris Martin of Coldplay. Katy Perry debuted a shiny blue haircut. Keys and Bonnie Raitt honoured Etta James. Glen Campbell, soon to retire due to Alzheimer’s, appeared in a tribute.

Maroon 5 and Foster the People played Beach Boy songs, then joined the Boys as they reunited for their 50th anniversary. Many believed Brian Wilson and Mike Love, who looked slightly stiff going through Good Vibrations, would never appear on stage together again.

Paul McCartney sang a jazzy new song from his album of standards, then was joined by Springsteen, Grohl, Tom Petty and Joe Walsh on The Beatles’ Abbey Road Medley.

Adele was the uniting force. Her album was a critical hit and commercial powerhouse, and it would have been an upset if she hadn’t joined Eric Clapton, the Dixie Chicks, Carole King, Paul Simon and Christopher Cross among artists who have swept the three biggest awards in one night.

“It’s nice to see, as music keeps evolving, that something as authentic as she’s putting out can still be not just relevant but dominating,” said Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum, last year’s record of the year winners.

While Adele’s vocals are powerful, the singing of Best New Artist winner Canadian Justin Vernon of Bon Iver is often delicate. He talked about writing for the inherent reward of writing songs, not for trophies.

However, that doesn’t mean that he wasn’t honoured and grateful for the award, Vernon later clarified backstage.

“At some point, I got really nervous,” Vernon said. “Maybe it was because I didn’t feel I deserved to be here.”