Beyonce shines, Timberlake apologises at Grammy awards

Timberlake went home with two awards, but it was his acceptance speech, rather than his music, that focused the audience's attention at the star-studded ceremony at Los Angeles' Staples Center.

"Listen, I know its been a rough week on everybody," Timberlake said, referring to the scandal that erupted after the February 1 Super Bowl halftime show, when he ripped a section off Janet Jackson's bodice, exposing her right breast to 100 million primetime viewers.

Dressed down in a sombre suit and tie and pointedly sporting his mother as his date, Timberlake continued to insist that the entire incident was unplanned.

"What occurred was unintentional, completely regrettable and I apologise if you guys were offended," he said.

The now infamous Super Bowl flash shadowed Sunday's ceremony, with the CBS network broadcasting the show with a short time delay to avoid any similar antics.

Jackson had been slated to appear as a presenter, but was forced to pull out.

"It was an unfortunate incident ... but we are here for the music," Recording Academy president Neil Portnow said backstage after the show. "I wish it didn't happen. We shouldn't have controversy."

Beyonce, who opened the night performing a medley of hits with superstar Prince, cemented her solo career away from Destiny's Child by taking home five Grammys, tying the record for a female artist held by Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys and Norah Jones.

"Wow. This is unbelievable," the 22-year soul queen said as she accepted the Best Contemporary Rhythm and Blues Album award for her debut solo album 'Dangerously In Love'.

"Performing was enough for me. I'm just so honoured," she said thanking her rapper boyfriend and collaborator Jay-Z.

Beyonce's single, 'Crazy in Love', featuring Jay-Z, won both artists two Grammys each for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Rhythm and Blues Song.

She also won Best Female Rhythm and Blues Performance for 'Dangerously in Love', and best Rhythm and Blues Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for 'The Closer I Get To You', with Luther Vandross.

Vandross, who is still recovering from a stroke he suffered last year and was unable to attend the ceremony, got a get-well boost by winning four awards, including Song of the Year, Best Rhythm and Blues Album and Best Male Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance for 'Dance with My Father'.

"I want to thank my friends, family and fans for the outpouring of love, prayers and support I have received," he said in a written statement.

Along with Album of the Year, Outkast took home Best Rap Album for 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below', and also won Best Urban/Alternative Performance for 'Hey Ya!'.

Among the night's top awards, Record of the Year went to British band Coldplay for 'Clocks', while Goth-Rock outfit Evanescence took Best New Artist.

Other multiple winners included bluegrass singer Alison Krauss who stole three Grammys, and rapper Eminem who won Best Rap Song and also Best Male Rap Solo Performance for his single 'Lose Yourself'.

The Janet Jackson incident was a recurring theme of acceptance speeches throughout the evening.

"I don't want to have the same thing happen that Janet had done," said teen idol Christina Aguilera, glancing down at her plunging neckline as she received her Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocalist.

Forming probably the most unlikely trio of award winners in Grammy history were former US president Bill Clinton, ex-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and actress Sophia Loren.

All three shared the award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children, having lent their voices to the Russian folk tale of 'Peter and the Wolf'.

Beatles widows Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison accepted a special Grammy on behalf of the Fab Four to mark the 40th anniversary of their explosion onto the US music scene.

A tearful Ono, 70, said if John Lennon were still alive he would: "Say it again, 'come together, give peace a chance and love is all we need.'"

AFP