Adele's Triple Play, Do-Over Defines 59th Annual Grammy Awards

Adele Was The Big Winner ( DFree / Shutterstock)

There was a little something for everyone at this year's 59th annual GRAMMY AWARDS at L.A's biggest night, and that's what it turned out to be for ADELE, who won three statues during the show, including Album Of The Year for "25," and Record and Song Of The Year for "Hello," to go along with her afternoon awards for Best Pop Vocal and Best Pop Solo Performance, giving her a field-leading five (tied with DAVID BOWIE).  In addition, producer/co-songwriter GREG KURSTIN earned honors for Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical. For complete coverage of the night, go here. For a complete list of winners, go here.

ADELE's mulligan during "Fast Love," her tribute to GEORGE MICHAEL, was the evening's emotional centerpiece. She started the song, then halted after about 45 seconds, blurting an expletive before resuming.  Earlier, the normally very self-critical singer opened the show with "Hello," looking serene and content after the assured performance.

The late DAVID BOWIE dominated the earlier, streamed PREMIERE CEREMONY awards (NET NEWS, 2/12) with a total of four wins for his posthumous "Blackstar," including one for his art director, and then a Best Rock Song award during the primetime telecast.

The night's other big winner was CHANCE THE RAPPER, who took home both Best New Artist and Best Rap Album to go along with his earlier Best Rap Performance.

The dual between divas ADELE and BEYONCE turned into a bit of a one-sided affair. QUEEN BEY dominated conversations with her stunning, avant-garde "Lemonade" performance as an EGYPTIAN queen. JAY Z and daughter BLUE IVY beamed from the front row.  She did take home the primetime Best Contemporary Urban Album award as consolation to go along with her pre-telecast nod for Best Music Video.

DRAKE earned two awards during the pre telecast for "Hotline Bling," but was a no-show in primetime (along with JUSTIN BIEBER and KANYE WEST), even though he dominated the sales and streaming charts last year.

JAMES CORDEN made for a most affable host, literally rolling down the stairs for his entrance, as well as hosting a "Carpool Karaoke" segment with TIM McGRAW, FAITH HILL, JOHN LEGEND, JENNIFER LOPEZ and NEIL DIAMOND in a sing-along of "Sweet Caroline." 

Some of the performance highlights included duets between THE WEEKND and DAFT PUNK; MAREN MORRIS (winner of the Best Country Solo Performance award) and ALICIA KEYS; KELSEA BALLERINI and LUKAS GRAHAM; STAX legend WILLIAM BELL and GARY CLARK JR.; a wild, crowd-surfing LADY GAGA fronting METALLICA (and surviving despite JAMES HETFIELD's inoperative mic); the DEMI LOVATO-led BEE GEES medley; and a PRINCE tribute featuring BRUNO MARS in a glittery purple suit and Edwardian collar wielding the PURPLE ONE's trademarked cleft note-guitar for a soaring "Let's Go Crazy."  KATY PERRY and ED SHEERAN were both on hand to promote their new singles, the reggae-tinged "Chained To The Rhythm" and the earnest soul of "Shape Of You," respectively, while STURGILL SIMPSON blended country and blues with the DAP-KINGS' horn section on a rousing, genre-bending "All Around You."

The evening's most political note was struck by NEW YORK OG hip-hop band A TRIBE CALLED QUEST, who brought on ANDERSON .PAAK, CONSEQUENCE and a virulent BUSTA RHYMES, who kept calling TRUMP "President Agent Orange," while Q-TIP finished with a chant of "Resist!" In the middle, they broke down a wall and paraded in a batch of supposed immigrants in foreign garb.

CHANCE THE RAPPER capped his amazing day with a gospel rave-up, "How Great," with fellow GRAMMY winners KIRK FRANKLIN and TAMELA MANN and a full-on choir that turned STAPLES into a BAPTIST church.

ADELE deflected the rivalry with BEYONCE by praising the singer's album and offering, "I want you to be my mommy."  She broke into tears after copping Album Of The Year, apologizing for cursing, talking about her pregnancy and the difficult of returning to performing, a fitting end to a triumphant night. 

Another highlight: the two members of TWENTY ONE PILOTS accepting their award for Best Rock Duo/Group Performance in boxer shorts after vowing to do that after watching the show the year before in their underwear.

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