U2 vied with Eminem for the limelight at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles last night. Each act took three of the gongs.
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Bono
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The supergroup's win prompted Bono to again call the band "the best in the world".
U2 won best rock performance record and best song of the year for their single Beautiful Day.
"This is our night," Bono said as he accepted the record of the year Grammy. "It is a very unusual emotion I am feeling. I think it is called humility . . . The best band in the world."
Sir Elton John raised eyebrows by performing a duet with Eminem, an artist notorious for his homophobic lyrics.
Elton John had come under pressure not to take to the stage at the Grammys for the duet because of the rapper's reputation. Elton performed the keyboard and backing lyrics to Eminem's hit Stan.
Eminem won three awards despite heavy pressure on organisers not to honour him.
The singer was honoured for best solo rap performance, best rap album and best rap performance by a duo or group for his collaboration with his mentor and producer Dr Dre.
Eminem said in his acceptance speech: "Wow! What should I say first? I guess first of all I want to thank everybody who could look past the controversy and see the album for what it was - and what it is not."
The awards, the American music industry's equivalent of the Oscars, also saw Sting named best male performer and British band Radiohead named best alternative rock group. Radiohead's Kid Aalbum was also nominated for best album but lost out to veteran Steely Dan, whose Two Against Naturetook the honour.
PA