Ray Charles' 'Genius' rules Grammys with eight trophies

LOS ANGELES -- Ray Charles, whose rich musical legacy erased boundaries between genres and generations, received a fitting musical eulogy Sunday night as his final album, "Genius Loves Company," won a leading eight Grammys.

"Genius Loves Company," a duets album recorded in the final months of his life, was the clear sentimental favorite. It won album of the year; best pop album; record of the year for "Here We Go Again" with Norah Jones; and best pop collaboration with vocals for the same song.

"I think it just shows how wonderful music can be," Jones said as she accepted the trophy for record of the year.

Other winners included Alicia Keys and Usher, each nominated for eight Grammys. By mid-evening Keys had won four while Usher had three. They shared one award, for best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals for their No. 1 duet, "My Boo."

U2 also had three awards, including best rock performance by a duo or group, while Green Day, the most nominated rock act with six nods for their politically charged punk rock opera "American Idiot," won best rock album.

"Rock 'n' roll can be dangerous and fun at the same time, so thanks a lot," lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong said as he accepted the award.

Keys was chasing a record Grammy haul -- she could have won more than any other woman in one evening. In 2002 Keys won five Grammys for her debut album, "Songs in A Minor," becoming only the second woman to win that many in one night. (Lauryn Hill won five in 1999; so did Jones in 2003.)

The most nominated artist of the year may be the most multifaceted -- Kanye West, the songwriter-producer who made his rap debut in 2004 with the cutting-edge CD "The College Dropout." West was nominated for 10 Grammys, including album of the year. In the pre-telecast ceremony he won two, including best rap song for "Jesus Walks."

But he was upset in the best new artist category, losing to Maroon 5 in a race that also included country singer Gretchen Wilson, the Los Lonely Boys and soul siren Joss Stone.

Maroon 5's Adam Levine seemed almost apologetic after winning.

"Kanye West, I want to thank you so much for being wonderful," he said. The camera cut away to West, who looked less than pleased.

Some expected West to have a meltdown like at the American Music Awards, where he complained bitterly backstage after losing the same award to Wilson. But on Sunday night he went on to deliver an eye-popping performance of "Jesus Walks" and an emotional acceptance speech for the best rap album award.

After referencing the car accident a few years ago that almost took his life, West promised to live life to the fullest: "I plan to celebrate and scream and pop champagne every chance I get because I'M AT THE GRAMMYS BABY!"

He also referenced his American Music Awards embarrassment. "Everybody wanted to know what would I do if I didn't win. I guess we'll never know," he said, holding his trophy up high.

At least West didn't have to wait decades to get a trophy, as did some veterans finally honored by the Recording Academy.

Steve Earle's left-leaning "The Revolution Starts ... Now" won for contemporary folk album. And Rod Stewart -- who had complained in recent years about never winning a Grammy -- won for traditional pop vocal album for his standards recording "Stardust ... The Great American Songbook Vol. III."

Brian Wilson, who released his album "Smile" after a more than three-decade wait, won best rock instrumental performance for "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow." He had never been honored before, even as leader of The Beach Boys. The big irony: the man who did more for vocal harmony than anyone in rock 'n' roll won in an instrumental category.

"I waited 42 years for this Grammy and it was well worth the wait," Wilson said backstage. "It represents triumph and achievement in music that I feel that I deserved, and I'm really glad I won."

The oft-maligned Britney Spears also won her first Grammy -- best dance recording for "Toxic."

Spears wasn't present, but another newlywed was on hand: Jennifer Lopez performed a duet in Spanish with new hubby Marc Anthony, their first public performance together.

Other performers included Keys, who sang with "Ray" star and double-Oscar nominee Jamie Foxx; Green Day, who's rollicking performance was bleeped by the censors; and U2.

Perhaps the evening's most exhilarating performance was from Melissa Etheridge. The rocker, who is battling breast cancer, took to the stage for a tribute to Janis Joplin with a shaved head but strong voice, and received a standing ovation for her stirring performance with Stone.

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AWARD WINNERS

Other winners from the 47th annual Grammy Awards include:

* Song of the Year: "Daughters," John Mayer.

* Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal: "Vertigo," U2.

* Country Album: "Van Lear Rose," Loretta Lynn.

* Rap Album: "The College Dropout," Kanye West.

* R&B Album: "The Diary of Alicia Keys," Alicia Keys.

* Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: "Heaven," Los Lonely Boys.

* Male R&B Vocal Performance: "Call My Name," Prince.

* Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: "Garden State," Various Artists.

* Female Country Vocal Performance: "Redneck Woman," Gretchen Wilson.

* Male Country Vocal Performance: "Live Like You Were Dying," Tim McGraw.

* Country Collaboration With Vocals: "Portland Oregon," Loretta Lynn and Jack White.

* Country Song: "Live Like You Were Dying," Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman (Tim McGraw).

* R&B Song: "You Don't Know My Name," Alicia Keys, Harold Lilly and Kanye West (Alicia Keys).

* Contemporary R&B Album: "Confessions," Usher.

* Rap Solo Performance: "99 Problems," Jay-Z.

* Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: "Let's Get It Started," The Black Eyed Peas.

* Rap/Sung Collaboration: "Yeah!" Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris.

* Rap Song: "Jesus Walks," Miri Ben Ari, C. Smith and Kanye West (Kanye West).

* Female Pop Vocal Performance: "Sunrise," Norah Jones.

* Male Pop Vocal Performance: "Daughters," John Mayer.

* Pop Vocal Album: "Genius Loves Company," Ray Charles and Various Artists.

* Traditional Pop Vocal Album: "Stardust ... The Great American Songbook Volume III," Rod Stewart.

zDance Recording: "Toxic," Britney Spears.

* Alternative Music Album: "A Ghost Is Born," Wilco.

* Solo Rock Vocal Performance: "Code of Silence," Bruce Springsteen.

* Hard Rock Performance: "Slither," Velvet Revolver.

* Metal Performance: "Whiplash," Motorhead.

* Rock Instrumental Performance: "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow," Brian Wilson.

* Rock Song: "Vertigo," Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge and Larry Mullen (U2).