The Grammy Awards opened on a solemn note today with a tribute to Whitney Houston, who died in an LA hotel room yesterday.
The auditorium fell silent as host LL Cool J led a prayer for the singer, after her staff were unable to revive her when she was found submerged in water in a bathtub yesterday afternoon.
"We've had a death in our family," the rapper told the audience of stars.
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"So at least for me the only thing that feels right is to begin with a prayer for a woman we love."
Celebrities bowed their heads in prayer as LL Cool J said: "We thank you for sharing our sister Whitney with us".
"Although she is gone too soon, we remain truly blessed to have been touched by her beautiful spirit.
The prayer was followed by footage of Houston singing a powerful rendition of her hit song 'I Will Always Love You' on a big screen above the stage.
The 48-year-old music legend died at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where she was preparing to attend a pre-Grammys party. It is believed she drowned in the bathtub after falling unconscious.
An autopsy has been completed, although the results will not be known until a toxicology test is done.
The Grammy Awards ceremony has brought few surprises this year.
The winner of the Song of the Year award raised no eyebrows, as Adele beat out the likes of Mumford and Sons, Bruno Mars, Bon Iver and Kanye West with her massively successful "Rolling in the Deep".
The English singer also got Best Solo Pop Performance for "Someone Like You".
The Foo Fighters walked away with Best Rock Performance for "Walk" while Jay Z and Kanye West won Best Rap Performance for "Otis" .
Best R&B Album was Chris Brown's F.A.M.E and Best Country Music Album was Lady Antebellum's We Own The Night.
Indie folk band Bon Iver, founded by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon, was named best new artist, beating crowd favorite Nicki Minaj to claim the title.
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