Grammy Awards Night - An Update

The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards tonight saw a major upset when the teenage heart throb Justin Bieber lost out to American singer/bassist Esperanza Spalding as the best new artist. Another favored contender was Drake.

Eminem who was nominated in 10 categories has won only two. The rapper lost for song of the year to country trio Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now;” the group has been the surprising front runner with six wins including Record of the Year and Best Country album and Album of the Year.

Eminem lost out to Lady Gaga and Jay-Z who won three awards each. Lady Gaga won best pop vocal album for “The Fame Monster,” and received two awards for her song “Bad Romance.”

Jay-Z’s trio of awards included a pair for his duet with Alicia Keys on “Empire State of Mind,”

British rock band Muse performed to their song “Uprising,” and also won a Grammy for their efforts. The band bested the likes of Pearl Jam and Neil Young to win best rock album for “The Resistance.”

The Veterans

Neil Young, the 65-year-old veteran did triumph over Muse in the best rock song category. His track Angry World, from his album Le Noise, was also up against Mumford & Sons, Kings of Leon and the Black Keys.

This is my first Grammy for music, and it's appreciated greatly, the Canadian legend said.

Veteran guitarist Jeff Beck, who had seven nominations, was the leading British nominee. He got both best pop instrumental performance and best rock instrumental performance.

Sir Paul McCartney won best solo rock vocal performance for his live album Good Evening New York City, while a Beatles box set won best historical album.
Performances
The ceremony at the Staples Center saw a star-studded performance from Usher and Bieber together.The show began with a tribute to soul queen Aretha Franklin, performed by Christina Aguilera, Florence and the Machine's Florence Welch, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride and Yolanda Adams.

Lady Gaga then emerged from her egg-shaped cocoon to take to the stage to perform her new single Born This Way.

Then The Rolling Stone legend and bad boy Mick Jagger made his first Grammys performance by singing “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love” in a tribute to its singer Solomon Burke. He earned a standing ovation for his efforts.

A selected list of Winners:

Record of the Year: “The Suburbs,” Arcade Fire

Album of the Year: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum

Song of the Year: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum

New Artist: Esperanza Spalding

Pop Vocal Album: “The Fame Monster,” Lady Gaga

Pop Performance by a Duo or Group: “Hey Soul Sister,” Train

Female Pop Vocal Performance: “Bad Romance,” Lady Gaga

Male Pop Vocal Performance: “Just The Way You Are,” Bruno Mars

Rock Song: “Angry World,” Neil Young

Rock Album: “The Resistance,” Muse

R&B Song: “Shine,” John Legend & The Roots

R&B Album: “Wake up!” John Legend & The Roots

Rap Solo Performance: “Not Afraid,” Eminem

Rap Song: “Empire State of Mind,” Jay-Z and Alicia Keys

Rap Album: “Recovery,” Eminem

Female Country Vocal Performance: “The House That Built Me,” Miranda Lambert

Male Country Vocal Performance: “‘Til Summer Comes Around,” Keith Urban

Country Performance by a Duo or Group: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum

Country Album: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum

Latin Pop Album: “Paraiso Express,” Alejandro Sanz

Contemporary Jazz Album: “The Stanley Clarke Band,” The Stanley Clarke Band

Classical Album: “Verdi: Requiem,” Riccardo Muti, conductor

Traditional Gospel Album: “Downtown Church,” Patty Griffin

Dance Recording: “Only Girl (In The World),” Rihanna

Electronic Dance Album: “La Roux,” La Roux

Alternative Music Album: “Brothers,” The Black Keys