Winehouse Wins Five; West Scores Four

From half a world away, a vibrant 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 for a small cabaret audience, Winehouse gave a sultry, soulful rendition of the hit that has defined her recent fall from grace. She looked just as coy as she sang the song "You Know I’m No Good" – almost reveling in the irony of her words.

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 about whether their daughter – who just recently entered a drug rehabilation center after months of reported drug use, erratic behavior and canceled performances – would survive her demons.

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

Kanye West, who had a leading eight nominations, won four awards: 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."

West delivered an electric, glow-in-the-dark rendition of "Stronger," then segued into a stirring tribute to his mother, Donda West, who died unexpectedly last year at age 58. "Last night I saw you in my dreams, and now I can’t wait to go to sleep," sang West, dressed in all black and with MAMA etched into his haircut, as he launched into "Hey Mama," a celebratory tune from his second album that has now turned into a somber ode.

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.

"I know you’re really proud of me right now, and I know you want me to be the No. 1 artist in the world, and Mama," West continued, "all I’m going to do is keep making you proud. We run this."

The Grammys, celebrating its 50th year, emphasized its history with its very first performance. Alicia Keys, glammed-up in ’50s style, sat at the piano and sang "Learnin’ the Blues" along with a black-and-white video performance from the late legend Frank Sinatra.

Moments later she won best female R&B vocal for her smash "No One."

Carrie Underwood was an early performer with her revenge anthem, "Before He Cheats," which earned two Grammys, including for best female country vocal performance.

In any other year, West would have been the main storyline thanks to his history of awards-show tirades, his huge album "Graduation" and the sudden death of his mother.

But the absent Winehouse, up for six trophies, threatened to upstage West and everyone else. The 24-year-old singer-songwriter’s personal life has fallen apart over the past year even as her career blossomed. The retro-soul singer also won best pop vocal album for "Back to Black" and best female pop vocals.

some of the winners

Album of the Year "River: The Joni Letters," Herbie Hancock

Song of the Year "Rehab," Amy Winehouse

New Artist Amy Winehouse

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical Mark Ronson

Alternative Music Album "Icky Thump," The White Stripes

Rock Song "Radio Nowhere," Bruce Springsteen

Rap Song "Good Life," Aldrin Davis, Mike Dean, Faheem Najm & Kanye West

Dance Recording:"LoveStoned/I Think She Knows," Justin Timberlake, Nate (Danja) Hills, Timbaland & Justin Timberlake