Stars celebrate 50th Grammys

LOS ANGELES – Trapped half a world away by the place she promised to never “go, go, go,” a vibrant, exuberant Amy Winehouse dominated the Grammys on Sunday night, winning five awards and delivering a defiant performance of her autobiographical hit “Rehab” via satellite from London.

Wearing a sly smile as she performed, Winehouse gave a sultry, soulful rendition of the hit that has defined her recent fall from grace.

But she seemed dumbfounded when she was announced as the record of the year winner. She was immediately enveloped by her band, then her mother and father, who have publicly worried whether their daughter – who recently entered a drug rehabilitation center after months of erratic behavior and canceled performances – would survive her demons.

In a major shocker, Winehouse lost the final award of the night, album of the year, to Herbie Hancock’s “River: The Joni Letters.”

“You know it’s been 43 years since the first and only time that a jazz artist got the album of the year award,” Hancock said.

“I’d like to thank the Academy for courageously breaking the mold this time. In doing so, honoring the giants upon whose shoulders I stand, some of whom, like Miles Davis, John Coltrane … unquestionably, deserved the award in the past. But this is a new day that proves that the impossible can be made possible.”

Winehouse’s performance was not the only dramatic moment of the night. Kanye West, who had a leading eight nominations and won four trophies, delivered an electric, glow-in-the-dark rendition of “Stronger,” then segued into a stirring tribute to his mother, Donda West, who died last year at age 58.

He won awards for 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.”

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.

The Grammys, celebrating its 50th year, emphasized its history with its very 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 Alicia 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-fitting silver bustier and pantsuit.

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, Herbie Hancock and even Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama for best spoken-word album.