Amy Winehouse, Kanye West win big at Grammys

Troubled British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse and American rap star Kanye West were big winners Sunday night at the 50th Grammys Award ceremony at Los Angeles' Staples Center.

West won best rap album and Winehouse received top honors including best new artist, best album and best song of the year.

Winehouse also won best female pop vocal solo performance for her hit "Rehab" and best pop vocal album for "Back to Black."

But Winehouse did not attend the Grammy ceremony, despite being granted a visa at the last minute allowing her to travel to the United States for the show. The visa had initially been rejected by U.S. officials, but they relented Friday.

Winehouse opted to remain in London, where she checked into a rehabilitation center last month. The singer performed via satellite during the televised show under the arrangement of Grammy organizers.

West paid tribute to his mother during the annual Grammy ceremony, singing his hits "Stronger" and "Hey Mama" in honor of Donda West, a college professor who died three months ago in Los Angeles from complications after cosmetic surgery.

He collected a handful of awards of his own, including best rap album for "Graduation," best solo rap performance for "Stronger," best rap duo for "Southside" and best rap song for "Good Life."

West led all nominees heading into the ceremony, with eight nominations in total, followed by Winehouse with six.

The 24-year-old Winehouse, who shot to the top of the charts with her hit "Rehab," beat other promising singers such as Taylor Swift, Paramore, Ledisi and Feist for best new artist.

Rock band Foo Fighters won the Grammy for best rock album for "Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace," while Alicia Keys won best R&B vocal performance for "No One."

The soundtrack of "Love," featuring music by the Beatles, was named best compilation soundtrack album for motion picture, television or other visual media. Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr was on hand to accept the award.