Plant & Krauss dominates Grammys by winning five awards

Former Led Zeppelin lead vocalist Robert Plant and his stage partner Alison Krauss dominated the 51st annual Grammy Awards Sunday night, earning five awards, including the most coveted album of the year and record of the year.

Robert Plant (L) and Alison Krauss pose with their awards backstage at the 51st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles February 8, 2009.

"I'd like to say I'm bewildered," Plant said as he accepted album of the year award, along with Krauss and the album's producer, T-Bone Burnett.

"I'd like to thank Alison Krauss for her kindness and patience, teaching me to sing in straight lines instead of doing all that twirly stuff," the 60-year-old rock legend said of his 37-year-oldpartner.

Krauss told the audience at the Staples Center that she was "thrilled and very grateful" to the duo's supporters.

In addition to winning album of the year, song "Rich Woman" won the award for best pop collaboration with vocals, while "Killing the Blues" won best country collaboration.

"Raising Sand" won album of the year, over top nominee Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III," Coldplay's "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends," Ne-Yo's "Year of the Gentleman" and Radiohead's "In Rainbows."

Other big winners at the Grammys this year included British super group Coldplay, which won three awards, and rapper Lil Wayne, with four.

Coldplay won song of the year for "Viva La Vida" and the group's album won best rock album.

The band Coldplay arrives at the 51st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles Feb. 8, 2009.

The song "Viva La Vida" also won the Grammy for best pop performance by a duo or group, beating out the Eagles ("Waiting in the Weeds"), Gnarls Barkley ("Going On"), Maroon 5 ("Won't Go Home Without You") and One Republic ("Apologize").

With eight nominations, Lil Wayne led all nominations heading into the ceremony. Coldplay was a close second with seven.

Lil Wayne took home the best rap album Grammy for his album "Tha Carter III."

Lil Wayne, center, accepts the award for best rap album at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, in Los Angeles.

His family joined him on stage as he accepted the award.

In the pre-telecast awards, Lil Wayne won best rap solo performance for "A Milli" and he shared the Grammy for best rap performance by a duo or group with Jay-Z, T.I. and Kanye West for "Swagga Like Us." Lil Wayne's "Lollipop" was named best rap song.

But Plant and Krauss were unbeatable on Grammy night. They won in all five categories in which they were nominated.

Adele, a 20-year-old London native, was named best new artist, beating out Duffy, Jonas Brothers, Lady Antebellum and Jazmine Sullivan, and the teen heartthrob Jonas Brothers. She also took home the Grammy for best female pop vocal performance for "Chasing Pavements."

Adele holds her awards for Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album for 'Chasing Pavements' while backstage at the 51st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles February 8, 2009.