Sunday's 53rd Grammy Awards in Los Angeles opened with a musical salute to Aretha Franklin, 68, who has been largely absent from public life since undergoing surgery in December. Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, and Florence Welch performed several of Franklin's signature songs. Franklin herself appeared via video, thanking supporters for their well-wishes during her hospitalization.
Eminem led all nominees with 10 nods, boosted by his chart-dominating 2010 album "Recovery" and hit singles. Bruno Mars followed with seven nominations, while Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, and Lady Antebellum each received six. Lady Gaga delivered a theatrical opening performance, and rock veterans Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, and Barbra Streisand also took the stage. Best New Artist contenders included Justin Bieber, Florence Welch, Mumford and Sons, Drake, and Esperanza Spalding.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in February 2011, in its own words.