Not a pop superstar, but the jazz and R&B musician Jon Batiste is the big winner of the Grammy Awards: The 35-year-old received five awards at the gala on Sunday evening in Las Vegas, including the coveted award for the album of the year for his record “We Are”.
R&B singer Bruno Mars and his group Silk Sonic were honored with a Grammy for Recording of the Year for their single “Leave The Door Open.” The Song of the Year award also went to Mars and his partner Anderson Paak.
The best newcomer was US pop singer Olivia Rodrigo. The 19-year-old, who began her career as an actress on Disney Channel, released her debut single “Drivers License” last year. “My biggest dream has come true,” Rodrigo said in her acceptance speech.
Foo Fighters win three Grammys
The Foo Fighters won three Grammys, including Best Rock Album and Best Rock Song. The band canceled their Grammys performance after the sudden death of drummer Taylor Hawkins.
Superstars like Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber and Lil Nas X went home without a Grammy despite many nominations. But they were all involved with appearances on the show. Lady Gaga sang several songs from Love For Sale, her second album with entertainer legend Tony Bennett.
The Ukrainian President Selenskyj provided a thoughtful moment at the gala. In a pre-recorded video message, he asked for support for his country. Nothing is more contrary to music than the “silence of destroyed cities and killed people,” he said. Russia is bringing “a terrible silence” to Ukraine with its bombs. “Fill the silence with your music, fill it today to tell our story.”
The Grammys were awarded for the first time in their history in the gambling metropolis of Las Vegas. The gala originally planned for the end of January in Los Angeles was postponed due to the spread of the omicron variant of the corona virus and then moved to Las Vegas.