LOS ANGELES - Amy Winehouse triumphed despite rehab while outspoken rapper/producer Kanye West offered an emotional tribute to his late mother Sunday as both performers took home multiple Grammy Awards in a splashy 50th anniversary bash that paid homage to music's past.
Winehouse took home five trophies and West four, while Herbie Hancock stunned onlookers with a surprise win for album of the year with the Joni Mitchell tribute, "River: The Joni Letters.''
"Joni Mitchell, Joni Mitchell, Joni Mitchell, thank you so much,'' Hancock said as he took the final prize of the night, shaking his head with surprise.
"You know, it's been 43 years since the first and only time that a jazz artist got the album of the year award. . . I'd like to thank the academy for courageously breaking the mould this time and in doing so honour the giants upon whose shoulders I stand.''
The category had largely been considered a showdown between leading nominees West and Winehouse. Hancock clarified backstage that he was only the second jazz instrumentalist to take the award, while a Grammy spokeswoman said the Astrud Gilberto/Stan Getz win for "Getz and Gilberto'' was the only other case, in 1964.
West wowed audiences early in the night with a glow-in-the-dark performance of his hit, "Stronger,'' and a sombre take on his song, "Hey Mama,'' in tribute to his late mother, Donda, who died following complications from cosmetic surgery last year.
West's mother was top of mind when he accepted the Grammy for best rap album, thanking fans for the outpouring of support they've offered and then speaking directly to her.
"I know you're really proud of me right now,'' said West, who had the word "Mama'' shaved into the back of his head.
"And I know you wouldn't want me to stop and you want me to be the number one artist in the world. And Mama, all I'm going to do is keep making you proud. We run this.''
Winehouse, who performed via satellite from London, where she's being treated for addiction problems, snagged the coveted best new artist prize, denying Calgary-bred rival Feist. She also picked up record of the year, song of the year, best pop vocal performance and best pop vocal album for "Back to Black.''
Up for six trophies in total, Winehouse offered up a coquettish performance of her song, "I'm No Good'' -- which included a shoutout to her incarcerated husband Blake Fielder-Civil -- as well as her autobiographical breakout hit, "Rehab.''
"For my Blake, my Blake, incarcerated,'' Winehouse declared as she accepted the prize for record of the year.
"And London, this is for London, 'cause Camden town is burning down!''
The pre-telecast show delivered three trophies to Canadians, including one to the legendary Mitchell for best pop instrumental performance for her song, "One Week Last Summer.'' Her album "Shine'' was a long-awaited return to recording after she famously swore off the music industry, declaring it corrupt.
Vancouver crooner Buble took best traditional pop vocal album with his disc, "Call Me Irresponsible,'' while violinist James Ehnes, of Brandon, Man., won best instrumental solo performance with orchestra for his playing with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
None of the Canadian winners were at the afternoon ceremony to accept their awards, but Mitchell received additional kudos from friend Hancock, who also took best contemporary jazz album.
Legendary roots rockers the Band garnered a lifetime achievement award for their fusion of old rock'n' roll, grassroots and Motown vibes, with actor Tom Hanks announcing the honour on the televised show.
"Somehow these four Canadians and a guy from Arkansas came to define musical Americana like no other group before or since,'' Hanks said, referring to keyboardist Garth Hudson, singer/songwriter Robbie Robertson, the late Richard Manuel, the late Rick Danko and American drummer/singer Levon Helm.
West, who was the subject of frequent barbs throughout the night for throwing fits over previous award losses, also won for best rap performance on "Stronger,'' best rap duo or group performance for "Southside'' with Common, and best rap song for "Good Life.''
Canada's polka king Walter Ostanek lost his 20th Grammy nomination for best polka album to longtime rival Jimmy Sturr, while Loreena McKennitt lost best contemporary world music album to Angelique Kidjo.
Other performances included a duet between Barbadian hit machine Rihanna and '80s funk group The Time, a high-energy show with Beyonce and a youthful-looking Tina Turner and a Beatles tribute featuring the Quebec-based dance troupe Cirque du Soleil.
The show opened with a duet that paired Alicia Keys with never-before-seen footage of Frank Sinatra.
Nelly Furtado lost best female pop vocal performance for her song, "Say It Right'' to Winehouse's "Rehab,'' and best pop collaboration with vocals to Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.
Other winners included Bruce Springsteen, with three trophies, and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who took a Grammy for best spoken word album for the audio version of his book "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream.''
The politician was up against former presidents Bill Clinton ("Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World'') and Jimmy Carter ("Sunday Mornings in Plains: Bringing Peace to a Changing World'').
