LOS ANGELES (voa) – The Grammys come against a backdrop of slumping sales in the U.S. music recording industry and a struggle between artists and record companies over rights to songs.
The awards ceremony featured tributes to the late Beatle’s guitarist, George Harrison, the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks, and the late r-and-b singer Aaliyah. She died in a plane crash in the Bahamas last August and was nominated for several awards posthumously.
“Walk On” by Irish rock band U2 has been awarded Record of the Year at this year’s U.S. music awards, the Grammys, Wednesday in Los Angeles. The Record of the Year category honors the artist and the producer and recording engineers.
U2 also took honors for pop performance on “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of” and rock album for “All That You Can’t Leave Behind.”
The 21-year-old rhythm and blues singer Alicia Keys and the soundtrack for the movie “O Brother Where Art Thou” each won five Grammys. Ms. Keys’ awards included best new artist and best song for her smash hit “Fallin.”
The five wins by Keys reportedly tie the record set in 1999 by rap singer Lauryn Hill for most Grammys won by a female artist.
Awards for the bluegrass-flavored “O Brother Where Art Thou” include album of the year and best compilation disc. Its producer, T-Bone Burnett, scored an award for Producer of the Year (non-classical).
The 1960’s legend Bob Dylan picked up the fourth Grammy of his career for best folk album of the year.
The cast album from the Broadway show “The Producers” was voted best musical show album.
In a related development, relatives of two hairdressers killed in that plane crash sued the record label Virgin Records and the plane’s operator for allegedly “putting profits over safety” and subsequent wrongful death.
Short list of 44th Annual Grammy Award winners, announced Wednesday night:
Record of the Year: “Walk On,” U2.
Rap Album: “Stankonia,” OutKast.
Song of the Year: “Fallin’,” Alicia Keys (Alicia Keys).
Album of the Year: “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack, Various Artists.
Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal: “Elevation,” U2.
New Artist: Alicia Keys.
Country Collaboration with Vocals: “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow,” Dan Tyminski, Harley Allen and Pat Enright (The Soggy Bottom Boys), from the “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack.
Female Pop Vocal Performance: “I’m Like a Bird,” Nelly Furtado.
R&B Album: “Songs in A Minor,” Alicia Keys.
Rock Song: “Drops of Jupiter,” Charlie Colin, Rob Hotchkiss, Pat Monahan, Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood (Train).
Pop Collaboration with Vocals: “Lady Marmalade,” Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya and Pink.
Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal: “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of,” U2.
