U2 takes five Grammys

BY GLENN GAMBOA | NEWSDAY STAFF WRITER

Song of the Year winners Bono and U2 recieve their award during the 48th Annual Grammy Awards 08 February 2006 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Photo by Getty Images)

U2's soaring rock anthems on its "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" album spoiled Mariah Carey's grand comeback last night, taking home five Grammys, including album of the year and song of the year.

"Well, if you think this is going to go to our head, it's too late," said U2 singer Bono, accepting the song of the year award for "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own," about the strained relationship with his father. "This is really a great, great moment for me personally. I want to thank my father, Bob, for giving me a voice and a bit of attitude to use it."

Before she even arrived at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Carey won three awards -- best contemporary R&B album for "The Emancipation of Mimi" and best R&B song and best female R&B vocal performance for "We Belong Together." However, she didn't convert any of her five other Grammy nominations into wins. The only time the Greenlawn native made it to the stage was to perform her hits "We Belong Together" and "Fly Like a Bird."

Carey, along with rapper Kanye West and his neo-soul protege, John Legend, came into the night as the leaders, with eight nominations apiece. They each took home three awards.

Carey's comeback story dominated the music industry last year, as "The Emancipation of Mimi" sold more than 5 million copies to be 2005's top seller. It reversed her public freefall, which began in 2001 during the run-up to her movie and soundtrack "Glitter," a project that failed so badly that her record label EMI paid her $28 million to leave the company.

But as much as Grammy voters love comeback stories, their chilly relationship with Carey continued. Even though Carey had been nominated for 38 Grammys, she had won only two awards -- both in 1991 for best new artist and best female pop vocal performance for "Vision of Love" -- before last night.

Others also had troubles converting nominations into awards. 50 Cent, who came into the night with six nominations, was shut out completely. Beyonce Knowles, up for six nominations as a solo singer and as part of Destiny's Child, won only one award, for her duet with Stevie Wonder.

That's a problem that U2, which had won 16 Grammys before last night, hasn't had. The band's social conscience and self-effacing manner is what Grammy voters love.

"There's also the possibility with rock music -- with guitar, bass and drums -- that you might just amount to something a little more than entertainment on occasion and that you might be able to communicate some honest feelings," Bono said.

Alison Krauss and Union Station were big winners, landing three awards for their work on the album "Lonely Runs Both Ways," including best country album. "Bolcom: Songs of Innocence and of Experience" also won three awards for best classical album, best choral performance and best classical contemporary composition.

The late Ray Charles, last year's big winner, was honored again last night with two more awards -- for best soundtrack and best compilation for the movie "Ray." The Chemical Brothers won for best dance recording and best electronic/dance album.

Les Paul, who is recovering from a lung ailment in a Ridgewood, N.J., hospital, won two Grammys for best rock instrumental performance and best pop instrumental performance. Damian Marley's "Welcome to Jamrock" won best reggae album and best urban/alternative performance.

It was a good night for Strong Island's hip-hop community. Chuck D. presented record of the year. And Amityville's De La Soul, who performed with Madonna and Gorillaz in the show's opening number, picked up a Grammy for best pop collaboration with vocals for its work with Gorillaz on "Feel Good Inc."