Taylor Swift and Beyoncé were the belles of the ball at the 52nd Grammy Awards, with Swift grabbing the Grammy for album of the year, and Beyonce taking home six awards, including song of the year.
Lady Gaga, who put on a rousing opening performance, singing her hit “Poker Face,” and performing a piano duet with Elton John, was shut out of major awards. But did win for best dance song.
The show also included a moving tribute to the late Michael Jackson featuring a 3-D video clip he made of “Earth Song.” Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Usher and Smokey Robinson accompanied Jackson’s taped singing.
Prince and Paris Jackson, the singer’s eldest children, accepted a lifetime achievement award for their late father.
“Through all his songs his message was simple, love. We will continue to spread his message and help the world,” Prince said.
Beyoncé made history, becoming the first female artist to win six awards in one night. .
Swift won top honor, album of the year, for her best-selling “Fearless,” only her sophomore set. The 20-year-old country singer, the youngest winner in Grammy history, topped Beyoncé, the Dave Matthews Band, Lady Gaga and the Black Eyed Peas.
“Oh wow — thank you so much! I just hope that you know how much this means to me…. that we get to take this back to Nashville,” said Swift.
Click Here: Grammy Glitter Hides Deep Industry Problems
“Oh my God, our families are freaking out in their living rooms,” she said. “My dad and my little brother are losing their minds in the living room right now.”
Beyoncé joined the club of five-time Grammy winners in 2004. Also included are Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse Norah Jones, Lauryn Hill, and Alison Krauss.
“This has been such an amazing night for me and I’d love to thank the Grammys,” said Beyoncé after winning best female pop vocal for “Halo.”
Lady Gaga won two Grammys during the pre-telecast ceremony, but was a smash in her sequined green leotard with massive shoulders singing Grammy-nominated hit “Poker Face.”
Click Here for Major Grammy Award Winners; Buy Music
Then, Elton John joined her for a mash up of her song “Speechless” and his classic “Your Song” in a piano duet.
The Black Eyed Peas picked up three awards, as well as rap mogul, Jay-Z, who won for best rap solo performance and awards for “Run This Town” with Rihanna and Kanye West.
The camera cut several times to Rihanna, who returned to the Grammys a year after she was severely beaten by then-boyfriend Chris Brown, who was a no-show.
For a list of the major winners, go here.
