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The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards was a night of exhilarating performances, inspired tributes and emotional acceptance speeches. It was a night that saw the return of an injured heroine, and one steeped in the sadness of loss. Ultimately, it was an evening for the ages as nearly 40 million viewers tuned in to the telecast and more than 13 million GRAMMY-related comments reverberated through online social networks. In the end, it was Music's Biggest Night in nearly 30 years, and a show that lived up to that lofty title.

<a href="/artists/adele/528">Adele</a> emerged the big winner, not just because she reeled in a record-tying six GRAMMYs (matching Beyoncé for the most awards won by a female artist in one night), but her performance of "Rolling In The Deep" marked her first live performance since vocal-cord surgery forced her to cancel her tour in late 2011.

Meanwhile, 180 degrees away from Adele's triumph, the 54th GRAMMYs became the world’s first public opportunity to mourn the loss of the great Whitney Houston. "We've had a death in the family," said host LL Cool J of Houston, who died the day prior to the GRAMMY telecast, before offering a prayer to "our fallen sister." Before the night was through, Jennifer Hudson would step in on one-day's notice to pay tribute with a towering rendition of Houston's signature hit from The Bodyguard, "I Will Always Love You." The performance stirred the crowd at Staples Center and no doubt the millions watching at home.

Adele earned trophies for Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for 21; Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Short Form Music Video for "Rolling In The Deep"; and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Someone Like You.”

<a href="/artists/foo-fighters/14694">Foo Fighters</a> won five of the six GRAMMYs for which they were nominated, including Best Rock Album for Wasting Light and Best Rock Performance for "Walk." In receiving the latter award, frontman <a href="/artists/david-grohl/11637">Dave Grohl</a> noted the "human element of making music is what’s most important … it's not about being perfect … it's about what goes on in here," he said, pointing to his heart.

<a href="/artists/kanye-west/6900">Kanye West</a> won four awards, including Best Rap Album for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Best Rap Performance with <a href="/artists/jay-z/9815">Jay-Z</a> for "Otis."

Electronica artist <a href="/artists/skrillex/6363">Skrillex</a> also had a big night, winning three awards, including Best Dance Recording for "Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites" and Best Dance/Electronica Album for the album of the same name. "This is the most surreal moment of my life," he said of his new status as a GRAMMY winner. "It means a lot, not just for me, but for the whole electronic community."

Best New Artist went to <a href="/artists/bon-iver/8342">Bon Iver</a>. The collective led by Justin Vernon also picked up Best Alternative Music Album for Bon Iver.

Adele's producer Paul Epworth earned awards for Record Of The Year for "Rolling In The Deep" and Album Of The Year for 21, as well as Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical.

Meanwhile, the GRAMMYs continued its recent theme of combining charismatic solo and band performances with opportunities for unusual and sometimes unlikely pairings.

Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band elevated the show from the start, opening with the rousing new "We Take Care Of Our Own." Bruno Mars' exciting James Brown-inspired R&amp;B performance also helped lift everyone's spirits. <a href="/artists/taylor-swift/15450">Taylor Swift</a> managed to bring a fun flair to her anti-bullying song "Mean."

This year's show also added a touch of history. In their first live appearance together in more than 20 years, the Beach Boys' original lineup (minus late brothers Carl and Dennis Wilson) was accompanied by Foster The People and Maroon 5 for a trio of songs, including "Good Vibrations."

Another powerful moment came via a tribute to Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Glen Campbell, who last year announced he is battling Alzheimer's disease. Blake Shelton and the Band Perry joined the tribute, which closed with Campbell himself singing his gem "Rhinestone Cowboy."

<a href="/artists/paul-mccartney/4678">Sir Paul McCartney</a> performed his elegant new ballad, "My Valentine," joined by Diana Krall on piano and guitarist Joe Walsh. Later, he would close the show with the Beatles medley "Golden Slumbers"/"Carry That Weight"/"The End," finishing with an explosive electric guitar solo battle with Grohl, Springsteen, Walsh, and Rusty Anderson, ending an electrifying evening.

In the end, to quote McCartney, it was a night worthy of being called music's biggest.

Firework

The Cave

Grenade

Holocene

Rolling In The Deep

Record Of The Year

Loud

Doo-Wops & Hooligans

Born This Way

Wasting Light

Album Of The Year

All Of The Lights

Song Of The Year

Best New Artist

F***in’ Perfect

Yoü And I

Someone Like You

Pop Solo Performance

Moves Like Jagger

Pumped Up Kicks

Paradise

Dearest

Body And Soul

Pop Duo/Group Performance

Setzer Goes Instru-Mental!

Hello Tomorrow

The Road From Memphis

E Kahe Malie

Wish Upon A Star

Pop Instrumental Album

The Lady Killer

Pop Vocal Album

Save The World

Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites

Call Your Girlfriend

Sunshine

Barbra Streisand

Raise Your Weapon

Dance Recording

Body Talk,  Pt. 3

Nothing But The Beat

4x4=12

Zonoscope

Dance/Electronica Album

What Matters Most - Barbra Streisand Sings The Lyrics Of Alan And Marilyn Bergman

Music Is Better Than Words

In Concert On Broadway

The Gift

Duets II

Traditional Pop Vocal Album

Lotus Flower

Walk

Down By The Water

Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall

Rock Performance

Blood In My Eyes

Public Enemy No. 1

Curl Of The Burl

White Limo

On The Backs Of Angels

Hard Rock/Metal Performance

Rock Song

The Whole Love

I'm With You

Come Around Sundown

Rock 'N' Roll Party Honoring Les Paul

Rock Album

King Of Limbs, The

Circuital

Torches

Codes And Keys

Bon Iver

Alternative Music Album

You Are

Is This Love

Not My Daddy

Pieces Of Me

Far Away

R&B Performance

Surrender

Good Man

Radio Message

Fool For You

Sometimes I Cry

Traditional R&B Performance

R&B Song

Kelly

Love Letter

Second Chance

F.A.M.E.

R&B Album

Black And Yellow

Moment 4 Life

The Show Goes On

Otis

Look At Me Now

Rap Performance

Motivation

What's My Name?

I Need A Doctor

I'm On One

Party

Rap/Sung Collaboration

Rap Song

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Pink Friday

Lasers

Tha Carter IV

Watch The Throne

Rap Album

Mama's Song

Mean

Honey Bee

I'm Gonna Love You Through It

Dirt Road Anthem

Country Solo Performance

Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not

Barton Hollow

You And Tequila

Don't You Wanna Stay

Country Duo/Group Performance

Threaten Me With Heaven

Just Fishin'

God Gave Me You

Country Song

Speak Now

Here For A Good Time

Red River Blue

Own The Night

Chief

My Kinda Party

Country Album

Instrumental Oasis, Vol. 6

What's It All About

Wind, Rock, Sea & Flame

Gaia

Northern Seas

New Age Album

Sonnymoon For Two

Work

500 Miles High

You Are My Sunshine

All Or Nothing At All

Improvised Jazz Solo

The Music Of Randy Newman

American Road

The Gate

The Mosaic Project

'Round Midnight

Jazz Vocal Album

Timeline

Road Shows Vol. 2

Bird Songs

Alone At The Vanguard

Forever

Bond: The Paris Sessions

Jazz Instrumental Album

Alma Adentro: The Puerto Rican Songbook

Legacy

40 Acres And A Burro

The Good Feeling

The Jazz Ballad Song Book

Large Jazz Ensemble Album

I Lift My Hands

Jesus

Your Love

Alive (Mary Magdalene)

Do Everything

Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance

Window

Trust Me

Spiritual

Sitting With Me

Hello Fear

Gospel Song

Strong Enough

Hold Me

Blessings

Contemporary Christian Music Song

Angel & Chanelle Deluxe Edition

Something Big

The Journey

The Love Album

Gospel Album

And If Our God Is For Us...

Black & White

What If We Were Real

The Great Awakening

Leaving Eden

Ghosts Upon The Earth

54th Annual GRAMMY Awards