Music's biggest night: the Grammy Awards

The 22-year-old British singer swept up four Grammys, calling it "the best evening of my life." Best Song and Best Recording of the Year was awarded for Smith’s "Stay with Me," and "In the Lonely Hour" was chosen as Best Pop Vocal Album. Smith is also the year's Best New Artist. His secret: "It was only when I started to be myself that the music started coming and people started to listen."

The 44-year-old artist took the Grammys for Album of the Year and Best Rock Album (“Morning Phase”) - some 20 years after the success of his album "Mellow Gold" and song "Loser." "We recorded this album nearly completely at home," he said.

Like Sam Smith and Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams entered the competition with six nominations and left it, like Beyoncé, with three prizes, including Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Music Video for the song "Happy." At the ceremony, Williams gave a novel rendering of the hit together with pianist Lang Lang.

Hosted by Rapper LL Cool J, the show kicked off with a live performance from the durable hard rockers AC/DC. Grammys were awarded in 83 categories, the winners selected by 13,000 experts in the music business. A surprise video message by US President Barack Obama called on people to be aware of and prevent violence against women.

"Cheek to Cheek" by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga took top honors for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. The two also graced the stage at the awards ceremony. Called the “Oscars of the music world,” the Grammys have been awarded by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science (NARAS) every year since 1959.

"There are second acts in American life, I just showed up for work for 35 years and this is what happened," said Rosanne Cash, who won three Grammys, including Best American Roots Performance and Song, as well as Best Americana Album.

Glen Campbell’s "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" took out the Grammy for Best Country Song. Featured in the documentary "Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me," it has also been nominated for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards. Campbell, who is battling Alzheimer's disease, wasn't present at the Grammy awards ceremony.

Past German Grammy winners include film composer Hans Zimmer, violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and conductor Christoph Eschenbach. This time, two German labels pocketed distinctions. CPO took the prize for Best Opera Recording (of Charpentier’s "La descente d'Orphée aux enfers" and Deutsche Grammophon (Best Chamber Music Recording - of violinist Hilary Hahn, pictured).

Not yet knocked out of contention by Lady Gaga, Madonna made a steamy appearance performing her current single "Living for Love." The awards spectacle boasted 23 live performances in total, including Kanye West, Rihanna and Katy Perry.