By Ali Ikram
With the news of Whitney Houston’s untimely death just hours old, the 54th Grammys were always going to need delicate handling.
In the end Adele and the Foo Fighters were the major winners but there was only one name in lights.
If there was ever a night not to turn up dressed as a scarlet nun accompanied by the pope it was this one but someone forgot to tell Nicki Minaj.
Though the night was almost single-handedly rescued by host LL Cool J.
"There is no way around this, we have had a death in the family so for me the thing that feels right is a prayer for a woman who we loved, for our fallen sister Whitney Houston."
But the show must go on and it belonged to Adele who took home six Grammys, equalling Beyonce for the most in one night by a female artist.
"First of all want to say mum, girl did good,” said Adele. "It's been the most life changing year and I want to thank Columbia Records and XL Records and Nick Huggard who signed me… oh a bit of snot."
Fans hung on her performance; the first time Adele has sung live since undergoing throat surgery to save her voice. It turns out they need not have worried.
The Foos were the other big winners with five Grammys.
Many thought that Chris Brown should not have even been on the stage given that three years ago on the eve of the event he assaulted then girlfriend Rihanna. But if you want a stand on principle do not expect it from the recording industry; Brown winning best R and B artist.
"First and foremost I want to thank God for this opportunity and the Grammys for letting me get on this stage and do my thing. I’m nervous, I don't know what to say."
Nicki Minaj missed out on best newcomer to Bon Iver.
"There's a lot of talent that's not here tonight and it's hard to accept because when I started making songs it was for the inherent reward of making songs."
He was right, the night truly was dominated by the talent who was not there.
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