The 51st Annual Grammy Awards Are Handed Out
The insane drama over Chris Brown’s arrest and the allegations that he assaulted his girlfriend Rihanna ALMOST overshadowed the 51st Annual Grammy Awards that took place at the Staples Center last night … but fear not, the awards went off without a hitch and, at least in person, provided a very fun night of entertainment. David and I were able to attend the Grammy Awards last night, courtesy of our friends at ABSOLUT Vodka, and we had a pretty phenomenal time at the Staples Center … even tho we were trying to keep apprised of the Chris Brown info as it came out thruout the show, we were able to enjoy the Grammys nonetheless. Here are a few photos from the Grammy Award red carpet arrivals last night:
Everyone was lookin’ their swanky best … Jennifer Hudson and Carrie Underwood looked lovely (tho, I preferred the dress that J. Hud changed into for her onstage performance) and Jesse McCartney looked crazed as he latched on to Paris Hilton’s teet for their odd photo op. Dunno what the kid was trying to accomplish but I hope he bathed afterward.
It turned out that Alison Krauss and Robert Plant were the big winners of the evening … along with Adele who took home the award for Best New Artist (edging out Duffy and the Jonas Brothers — thank God!). After the jump, check out some photos from the Grammy Press room of some of the winners with their trophies and find out who won what at last night’s affair …
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss were the big winners at the 51st annual Grammy Awards Sunday night. They won album of the year for Raising Sand; record of the year for their performance of the song “Please Read the Letter”; and three other honors. The duo upset rapper Lil Wayne and British rock band Coldplay; those artists had the best-selling albums of 2008. Lil Wayne took home three Grammys, including best rap album, and Coldplay also won three awards, including song of the year. The pairing of former Led Zeppelin singer Plant with bluegrass fiddler and singer Krauss turned out to be a surprise hit with critics and fans last year. The demure Krauss only spoke once during the Grammy telecast, when she and Plant accepted the album of the year award. “It’s been a wonderful time, and especially [with] Robert, there’s never a dull moment,” Krauss said. “I’d like to say I’m bewildered,” Plant added. “In the old days, we would have called this selling out. But I think it’s a good way to spend a Sunday.” It was an emotional Sunday for singer Jennifer Hudson. Less than four months ago, her mother, brother and nephew were murdered. The former American Idol contestant and Oscar winner fought back tears as she picked up her first Grammy — for best R&B album. “I first would like to thank God, who has brought me through. I would like to thank my family in heaven and those who are here today.” It was Hudson’s second public performance since the tragedy. She sang a week earlier at the Super Bowl. Unheard Controversy The Grammy ceremony was, for the most part, relentlessly upbeat. Members of Coldplay bounded onstage wearing blue, purple, green and red jackets to accept the song of the year award. But the song, “Viva La Vida,” is the subject of a copyright infringement lawsuit: In December, guitarist Joe Satriani filed suit in federal court alleging the band ripped off his 2004 instrumental, “If I Could Fly.” The suit generated a lot of coverage in the press and online, but Satriani may have a tough time proving his case. Some online music lovers have pointed out similarities between his tune and a 2002 release by the Argentine group Enanitos Verdes. Like the charges of musical plagiarism, the biggest news of the night went unmentioned during the telecast. Just as the ceremony was getting under way, the popular 19-year-old R&B singer Chris Brown was turning himself in to Los Angeles police for allegedly assaulting a woman early Sunday morning. Brown was scheduled to perform, as was his girlfriend, Rihanna, and both were nominated for Grammys. Neither won and both canceled — at the last minute. That led to a lot of speculation that Rihanna was the woman Brown assaulted. Los Angeles police declined to name the woman. Meanwhile Grammy organizers scrambled madly to fill their slots. The head of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Neil Portnow, said the Grammys have never faced a situation like this. “Everybody has certain problems at times in their lives, things that you wish maybe didn’t happen, maybe you’re not proud of,” Portnow said. “I’m not a judgmental kind of an individual. I’m sorry they weren’t there for their moments on the stage. I think that’s the thing that is most unfortunate to me at the moment.” Los Angeles police say Brown was booked on suspicion of making a felony criminal threat and released after posting $50,000 bail.
UGH, it is *impossible* to talk about last night’s Grammys without the Chris Brown story getting a mention. In any event, I was pretty pleased with many of the winners … tho, I didn’t see that Plant/Krauss thing coming. I thought for sure that Coldplay would clean up … I’m kinda glad that they didn’t. I don’t really love them but I do enjoy that Viva La Vida song … but, I was not a fan of the way Coldplay ripped off the Wiggles with their very colorful outfits:
I’m just sayin’. And, it MUST be said that Katy Perry put on the WORST PERFORMANCE of the night:
I’m so over all of her hype, I’m glad that she didn’t win anything … she sounded horrible live in person and I’m ready for her bandwagon to jump the track and go away. Adele and Estelle, on the other hand, are amazing performers and I was THRILLED with their wins. Those ladies can sing and I’m happy they were rewarded for their talents.
David and I had such a great time and it was all due to the kind generosity of our friends at ABSOLUT Vodka … and as a result, I’d like to mention that ABSOLUT debuted a new commercial in relation to their In An ABSOLUT World campaign during last night’s Grammy Awards telecast — the first time the company has aired a commercial in primetime. In case you missed seeing it last night, here it is again:
The commercial is really cute, I think, and is the perfect sentiment for these trying economic times … it would be great if we could use hugs and kisses as currency ;) In any event, I just have to give a shameless plug for ABSOLUT for their amazing kindness to David and me last night … we really did have a great time and it was all thanks to them :)
And so … another Grammy Awards in the can … I was pretty happy with the results, were you? Click HERE to see a full list of this year’s Grammy winners and lemme know what YOU thought of last night’s event.
[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]
Tags: Adele, Carrie Underwood, Estelle, Jason Mraz, Jennifer Hudson, Jesse McCartney, John Mayer, Leona Lewis, Paris Hilton, Shawn Corey 'Jay-Z' Carter, The Grammy Awards
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February 9th, 2009 at 11:18 am
i loved your updates last night! i was hooked lol. Kate always ends up being the worst perfomance, shes horrible live & what was with the fruit outfit? and i was reading somewhere.. that Leona was one of the worst dressed… i dont get how.. i thought she looked good. J-Hud killed it last night. and Carrie.. looked amazing as usual.
February 9th, 2009 at 11:19 am
GLAD YOU HAD FUN!!
xo
ABSOLUT Girl
February 9th, 2009 at 11:28 am
I am LOL’ing at that Katy Perry pic. When I saw her do that on the telecast it made my skin crawl. And yes, her performance sucked the BIG one. And what was with her shoes? Lame! (but I must admit I really love Hot ‘n Cold still)
*Trent, your twittering was great – how did Ronn Moss’s hair look in person?
*I still don’t understand what is the difference between Song of the Year, and Record of the Year – is “Record” for the actual songwriter? If so, wtf determines “Song” nominees/winner? I’m so confused :-(
February 9th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Katy Perry looks like a real life Oompa Loompa (sans outfit of course). Someone get the gal some laxatives, please!
February 9th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Kewl-but I wanna see pics of you and David all decked out last night!
And-Why did they have a LEGEND like Stevie Wonder sing with the Jo Bros?…O_o
February 9th, 2009 at 11:57 am
I agree Katy Perry sucked. It was so lame. I really like Jennifer Hudson’s performance. It made me cry. I also liked Carrie Underwood’s performance. I LOVED M.I.A. and Jay Z and TI’s performance.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
so thought M.I.A was going to give birth on stage with all that jumping around…but was a good performance! and wtf was up with kanye’s 80’s hair??
February 9th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I think that Coldplay was trying to imitate Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club costumes…
February 9th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
You were seriously surprised Robert Plant and Alison Krause won a bunch of awards including Album of the Year?!! The Grammys looove to give out awards to that kind of stuff…the totally self-indulgent songs and albums that aren’t exactly popular but are from artists that have been around for awhile. I was not surprised at all that they won. I was surprised when they didn’t win of their awards.
February 9th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I almost switched off the Grammy’s during Perry’s performance, but then Estelle’s voice kept me watching, even with Kanye (who was channeling a combo of 80’s Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie).
However, for me, Radiohead stole the show and were absolutely BRILLIANT!
February 9th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
@Brenda — honestly, I thought Coldplay would be the Grammy darlings this year. I actually prefer that Plant/Krauss won their awards :)
February 9th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
I love Jennifer Hudson, but whoever her stylist is, needs glasses!! That dress was terrible! And Justin Timberlake needs to go away!!! He totally ruined Al Green’s song!!!
February 9th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
@Rhonda: I was wondering the same thing about Wonder / Jonas Bros collaboration. My jaw hit the floor when I saw that. I had tears streaming down my face when Jennifer Hudson performed just before and the tears continued for a different reason when I saw Stevie Wonder.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
JASON MRAZ WAS ROBBED
February 9th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
LOL Trent, Jonas Brothers-thank god. Yeah seems like publicity got them that nom and collabo w/ Stevie Wonder, but apparently Wonder loves them.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Leona Lewis always looks like she wears the same beigey dress to everything. And what was up with M.I.A.’s onstage getup? That was just…..unfortunate.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I agree, Katy Perry’s performance was just god awful.
And Jason Mraz looked HOT!!
February 9th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I loved the 4 Tops performance the best! Jamie Foxx is amazing and it was a great tribute to the band! However – I found the tribute to Dean Martin to be odd! I liked the collaboration, but M.I.A. just didn’t fit into the black and white classy look they were going for!!!
February 9th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I lurves me some John Mayer, but he looks like he’s milking himself in that photo.
February 9th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Did anyone else notice that Beyonce was mysteriously missing last night?? Either she was hiding out in fear that Etta James would be there and really “whoop her ass” or Etta already got to her. should we be worried? LOL
February 9th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I LOVE Raising Sand. I didn’t watch the awards but I’m so happy some quality music won awards for a change!
February 9th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Trent…..Blogging from the grammys last night, WAS YOUR BEST IDEA EVER! You should do this every time you go to an awards show. It was cool to hear what was going on behind the scenes. VERY awesome. :)
February 10th, 2009 at 5:52 am
omg wtf is jesse trying to do do paris rape her?
February 10th, 2009 at 9:40 am
I will never understand why people live Coldplay. The fact that they were trying to rip off The Beatles with those ridic outfits is insulting.
Attention Coldplay: Just because The Beatles were English and you’re English does not make you equals!
February 10th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Wow, Katy Perry sucked it up big time, she cant sing to save her life!!! And seriously, wtf was up with all the reality people at the Grammys, the chick from the hills, Kim Kardashian, Paris, etc…why the heck were they there??? Jennifer Hudson was brilliant, i loved the emotion she showed made me really feel for her.
February 10th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Woohoo! I am SO psyched Adele won! She’s an amazing young artist with a gorgeous, unique voice, and she deserved to win!
February 10th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Did you get any pics of Ronn Moss there? I work for him, his band mate Peter Beckett and his band PLAYER of “BABY COME BACK” fame. I knew that he went but he didn’t do the red carpet. Looking for pics for the PLAYER website. By the way PLAYER is reorganizing and will be recording and touring this year. They still sound amazing!
Patti/Webmistress
http://www.player-theband.com
February 10th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
@Patti — no pics, I was so shocked that he was standing in front of me that I didn’t know what to do :) then i lost track of him and he was gone … but man, it was kinda cool seeing Ridge/Ron in person :)
February 11th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
RADIOHEAD stole the show for me! it’s classic that a group so creative and so not MTV darlings will get overlooked. That performance made Coldplay’s performance look like crap… even WITH Jay-Z rapping.