Song, Record, and Album of the Year: Adele

The Grammys got started with—what else?—a performance. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band did a rousing rendition of "We Take Care of Our Own" before host LL Cool J even made an appearance. The host brought up Whitney Houston's death first thing after thanking the band (click for more on that). Then:

• Nope, it's still not time for an award: Bruno Mars takes the stage, then the first presenters appear—20 minutes into the ceremony. But Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt first perform a tribute to Etta James before presenting Best Pop Solo Performance to Adele for "Someone Like You."
• Next up: Another performance, this time the controversial first Grammys performance by Chris Brown since he beat Rihanna before the ceremony three years ago.

• Jay-Z and Kanye West win Best Rap Performance for "Otis." The performers aren't there—guess there won't be any interruption from Kanye during this particular awards show—which quickly clears the way for Reba McEntire to take the stage ... to introduce yet another performance. This time, it's Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson.
• Performances by the Foo Fighters (outside the ceremony), then Rihanna and Coldplay (back inside the ceremony).
• Finally, a third award, nearly an hour and 15 minutes into the show: Best Rock Performance goes to the Foo Fighters for "Walk."
• It's time for Beach Boys tributes and a Beach Boys reunion, then Paul McCartney performs.
• Best R&B Album is presented to Chris Brown for FAME.
• The Civil Wars perform very briefly, but the duo's main purpose appears to be introducing Taylor Swift.
• Song of the Year, presented for some reason by Neil Patrick Harris, goes to Adele for "Rolling in the Deep."
• Katy Perry debuts a new song, which may have included a reference to Russell Brand.
• Best Country Album goes to Lady Antebellum for Own the Night.
• Gwyneth Paltrow introduces Adele's long-awaited performance of "Rolling in the Deep." Adele gets a standing ovation.
• Another tribute, to Glen Campbell, which includes a performance by Campbell himself.
• Carrie Underwood and Tony Bennett duet on "It Had to Be You" before presenting Best New Artist to Bon Iver.
• Jennifer Hudson performs "I Will Always Love You" as a tribute to Whitney Houston immediately following the In Memoriam segment.
• David Guetta and Deadmau5 are joined by Foo Fighters and, yes, Chris Brown again for a medley, then it's onto Nicki Minaj's performance. (Click to see Minaj's weird date.)
• Record of the Year goes Adele for "Rolling in the Deep."
• Not exactly a shocker: Adele also wins Album of the Year for 21.
• Last but not least: Another McCartney performance closes out the evening.

More interested in the red carpet? Click for a slideshow. Or check out why one writer thinks Brown's performance was a disgrace. (More Grammy Awards stories.)