Winehouse wins five Grammys

Kanye West took home four of the awards.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Amy Winehouse may have been physically absent from the Grammy Awards on Sunday, but her presence was strong as the famously troubled singer won five trophies, including song and record of the year for her autobiographical hit “Rehab.”

Sprung from a rehabilitation clinic to perform via satellite from London, Winehouse delivered a stirring, defiant performance of the hit that has defined her recent fall from grace. When her win for record of the year was announced, she appeared speechless and was enveloped in hugs from her band.

Kanye West, who had a leading eight nominations, also 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 with a ’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.

It was a hot-legs competition when Tina Turner teamed up with Beyonce on “Proud Mary.” The senior citizen kept up with her younger counterpart.