Emotional Clarkson Steals Spotlight

New York Rangers' Stu Bickel, right, grabs at New Jersey Devils' Ryan Carter, center, as Rangers' Steve Eminger, left, grabs Stephen Gionta during a scuffle in the third period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference final playoff series, Monday, May 21, 2012, in Newark, N.J. The Devils won 4-1. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Many expected the night to belong to comeback queen Mariah Carey, but an emotional Kelly Clarkson stole the show Wednesday as the biggest names in music gathered for the Grammy Awards.

The inaugural American Idol winner tearfully accepted the Grammy for best female pop vocal performance, a category many expected Carey to win.

"I'm sorry I'm crying again on national television," she said referring to the memorable acceptance speech she gave following her Idol victory.

"You have no idea what this means to me."

She later returned to win best pop vocal album, shutting out former Beatle Paul McCartney who'd been favoured to win. It prompted a collective "wow" backstage where reporters from around the world were gathered.

"I don't know what's going on but thank you Jesus, God and everybody that's supported me," gushed a clearly shocked Clarkson.

U2's bestselling How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb was crowned best rock album Wednesday, bringing the Irish band's total to three for the night.

"Being in a rock band is like running away with the circus," said front man Bono.

"There's also the possibility with rock music . . . that you might just amount to something a little more . . . you might communicate some honest feelings."

But the evening didn't forget Carey, who ended a 16-year Grammy drought by picking up three awards, including best contemporary R&B album for The Emancipation of Mimi. She also gave a stirring performance which showcased her five-octave range.

Carey is not the only person hoping the Grammys will augment their image. Songwriter Allen Toussaint, left homeless by Hurricane Katrina (video), returns to center stage when he performs with Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen, CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reports.

Maverick rapper Kanye West, who headed into the night with eight nods for his popular genre-mashing album Late Registration, picked up three Grammys, including best rap album.

Clad in a white suit with black gloves, the producer-turned-rapper pretended to be surprised by the win.

"I had no idea. No, no, no idea," he said, proceeding to open a sheet of paper which read "Thank You List" in large black letters.

An award-show favourite for his outlandish behaviour, West thanked a variety of people, including his publicist.

"Imagine being my publicist, how hard that's gotta be," said the rapper who got into trouble last year when he said "George Bush doesn't care about black people" during a telethon for hurricane Katrina victims.

His haul also included best solo performance for Gold Digger while Diamonds From Sierra Leone, West's criticism of the diamond trade industry, won best rap song.