6 Grammys for Adele, tributes to Whitney Houston
Music lovers around the globe are mourning the loss of one of the most beautiful voices they ever heard.
Superstar Whitney Houston died in a Beverly Hills hotel room Saturday, one day before the Grammy Awards.
She was just 48 years old.
Houston was certainly on everyone's mind over the weekend, casting a large shadow as the industry's movers and shakers gathered for music's biggest night.
And while there was plenty to celebrate, the stars also took time to pay their respects.
Special section: 54th annual Grammy Awards
Complete coverage: Pop diva Whitney Houston dead at 48
LL Cool J, host of the 54th Grammy Awards, led the star-studded audience in prayer, saying, "Heavenly father, we thank you for sharing our sister Whitney with us. ... We remain truly blessed to have been touched by her beautiful spirit."
Houston was no stranger to the Grammy stage, having collected six trophies over the course of her storied career and performing eight times.
One of those performances was played on the big screen at the Staples Center, bringing the crowd of 20,000 to its feet.
Throughout the night, performers and presenters, such as Alicia Keys, Rihanna and Stevie Wonder, paid homage to the fallen icon.
Perhaps the most heartfelt tribute came when Jennifer Hudson, who considered Houston a friend and mentor, performed one of her signature songs, "I Will Always Love You."
Houston's contemporaries reflected on the balance between the celebratory and solemn moods of the night.
Bonnie Raitt told "CBS This Morning" co-host Gayle King, "Everybody's aware of the shock if it and the bittersweet nature of it ... and it adds a lot more emotion to the evening."
Emotions of a different kind were running high for the night's big winner, Adele, who took to the stage for the first time since throat surgery.
The newly-crowned queen of pop soul swept the six categories in which she was nominated, including Album of the Year.
And good vibrations were felt, courtesy of the Beach Boys, who reunited for the first time in 20 years.
Former Beatle Paul McCartney closed the show, with a little help from friends Bruce Springsteen and Dave Grohl, with a rocking rendition of a song fittingly titled, "The End."
The Grammy producers had a daunting task, having to completely rearrange the show to include the moving tributes to Houston.
