Amy Winehouse, Herbie Hancock Big Winners At Grammys

The award show, known informally as "music's biggest night," was notable for its intergenerational mix of performers and presenters, along with tributes to music legends that were delivered before the various presenters announced award categories.

Alicia Keys started the night with a singing and piano performance accompanied by an old black-and-white video of Frank Sinatra singing along.  Carrie Underwood followed in a short black outfit and knee high black boots as she performed her smash hit "Before He Cheats."

The artist formerly and currently known as Prince appeared with sunglasses and a red suit to present the first televised award of the night for Best Female R&B performance to Alicia Keys.

Jimmy Jam joined with Morris Day for a reunion of The Time, and Rihanna took the stage in what appeared to be (from a distance) a grass skirt to sing her songs "Umbrella" and "Don't Stop The Music."  And the music didn't stop.  The night was filled with far more musical performances than awards presentations, and many of the awards were handed out prior to the show.

The Foo Fighters performed outdoors at "the people's Grammys" and then came inside to receive a Grammy of their own.  Kanye West appeared in a glow-in-the-dark jacket and sunglasses to sing "Stronger" but then removed the shades to sing "Hey Mama" in a touching tribute to his recently deceased mother.  He also managed to talk down the music that played when he received a Grammy for best rap album by asking the producers not to drown him out while he was paying tribute to his mom. 

In other performances, Fergie and John Legend teamed up for a duet, Aretha Franklin led an all-star tribute to gospel, Kid Rock sang a quick duet with 75-year-old Keely Smith, Stevie Wonder briefly played the harmonica, and John Maher joined with Alicia Keys for her second duet of the evening.

One of the standout performances of the show was Beyonce's duet with 68-year-old Tina Turner, who came dressed in a silver outfit that resembled the "Tin Man" from the "Wizard of Oz."  Another standout was Amy Winehouse's much anticipated performance via satellite from London.  She went on stage at almost 5 in the morning London time.

The big surprise of the show was Herbie Hancock's win in the final category of the night for album of the year.  Hancock said the Grammy win was a sign that anything is possible and quoted the recently popularized phrase "Yes we can" used by the Barack Obama campaign.

(Story updated, 4/10/2008, 11:55 p.m.)