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Ray Charles dominates 2005 Grammy Awards


Story: Jack Foley

SOUL legend, Ray Charles, received eight posthumous Grammy Awards at the 2005 ceremony in recognition of his musical genius and enduring popularity.

The late singer, who passed away in 2004, was recognised with awards for album of the year and best record, as well as recordings in more specialist categories (such as gospel).

His last album, Genius Loves Company, comprised a collection of duets and has sold more than two million copies. It was named album of the year and best pop vocal album.

Songs from it also fared well, with Here We Go Again, his duet with Norah Jones, winning record of the year and best pop vocal collaboration, while Heaven Help Us All, featuring Gladys Knight, picked up the best gospel performance prize.

Actor Jamie Foxx, who performed a musical tribute to him with Alicia Keys, and who is hotly-tipped to win an Oscar for his movie portrayal of the legend in Ray, dedicated a rendition of Charles' classic, Georgia on My Mind, to 'old friends'.

Of the other notable award winners on the night, R&B star, Alicia Keys, won four awards, while U2, Usher, Norah Jones and Kanye West - who led the nominations field with 10 - got three each.

U2 picked up their awards for the single Vertigo, which was named best rock song, best short video and best rock vocal performance by a duo or group. The track is taken from the band's latest album, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.

Alicia Keys, meanwhile, received best R&B song, for You Don't Know My Name, and best R&B album, for The Diary of Alicia Keys.

She also shared the award for best R&B vocal performance by a duo or group with Usher, for My Boo.

Usher's two other victories were for best contemporary R&B album, for Confessions, and best rap/sung collaboration for Yeah!, featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris.

Pre-awards favourite, Kanye West won best rap song for Jesus Walks and best rap album for The College Dropout.

But he lost out in the battle to be named best new artist, being beaten by Maroon 5.

Of the Brits looking to do well, there had been high hopes for the likes of Franz Ferdinand and Elvis Costello - but both left empty-handed.

There were, however, successes for dance act, Basement Jaxx, metal rockers, Motorhead, and singer-songwriter, Annie Lennox.

Rod Stewart also picked up his first Grammy of his career, for best traditional pop album , for Stardust... The Great American Songbook: Volume III.

Another veteran to get a first-time award was former Beach Boys singer, Brian Wilson, who won for best rock instrumental performance.

And Britney Spears picked up her first Grammy for her song Toxic, which was named best dance recording.

In the classical section, a live recording of composer John Adams' September 11 tribute, On the Transmigration of Souls, performed by the New York Philharmonic, won three prizes.

While former US President, Bill Clinton, received the second Grammy of his career - the spoken word award for the audio version of his autobiography, My Life.

The music awards were handed out at a glittering Los Angeles ceremony on Sunday, February 13, 2005.

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