The Ukrainian president has urged musicians to “tell our story”, addressing the Grammy Awards in a video speech on a night that also saw Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins commemorated, and Silk Sonic, Jon Batiste and Olivia Rodrigo take home major awards.
Introducing a special musical tribute to his people, Volodymyr Zelenskyy referenced the sounds of war as he told the Grammys audience and millions watching at home: “What’s more opposite to music? The silence of ruined cities and killed people.
“Our loved ones don’t know if we will be together again. The war doesn’t let us choose who survives and who stays in eternal silence.
Ukrainian singer Mika Newton, left, and John Legend performed in support of Ukraine, followed by poet Lyuba Yakimchuk (below)
“Our musicians wear body armour instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded. In hospitals. Even to those who can’t hear them but the music will break through anyway.
“We defend our freedom to live, to love, to sound. On our land we are fighting Russia, which brings horrible silence with its bombs. The dead silence. Fill the silence with your music. Fill it today. To tell our story.”
Ukrainian musicians join John Legend on stage and Foo Fighters drummer is remembered
Mr Zelenskyy ended by saying: “Tell the truth about the war on your social networks, on TV. Support us in any way you can any, but not silence. And then peace will come to all our cities.”
The president’s speech was followed with a performance by John Legend of new song Free, alongside Ukrainian musicians Siuzanna Iglidan and Mika Newton, and poet Lyuba Yakimchuk, as images from the war were projected on screens behind them and viewers were urged to support fundraising efforts.
There goes my hero: The Grammys paid tribute to Taylor Hawkins
Billie Eilish wore a T-shirt featuring the late Foo Fighters drummer as she performed
Following three wins for the Foo Fighters earlier in the night – best rock performance, best rock song and best rock album – a montage of Hawkins was played in tribute, soundtracked by the band’s 1998 song, My Hero. The band had been due to play at the ceremony but called off their performance, as well as tour dates, following the drummer’s sudden death at the age of 50 at the end of March.
The clips of Hawkins, which headlined the event’s In Memoriam section, featured frontman Dave Grohl describing his friend and bandmate of 25 years as “the best drummer in the world, we love him so much”. Billie Eilish also remembered the musician, performing her song Happier Than Ever wearing a T-shirt featuring his picture.
The big winners of the night were Rodrigo, who was named best new artist, Batiste, who picked up album of the year, and Silk Sonic – the duo featuring Bruno Mars and singer Anderson Paak – who won the gongs for song and record of the year for Leave The Door Open.
Slapgate jokes aren’t going anywhere yet
Elsewhere at the ceremony, one week on from Will Smith’s slapping of Chris Rock at the Oscars, the incident was still being referenced.
“We’re going to be listening to some music, we’re going to be dancing, we’re going to be singing, we’re going to be keeping people’s names out of our mouths,” Grammys host Trevor Noah joked, referencing Smith’s shouting at Rock to keep his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s name “out of your f****** mouth”.
Read more: Beanies, big shoes, bling… and a dinosaur – Grammys red carpet fashion
The ceremony was hosted by Trevor Noah
Questlove – whose Oscar win was overshadowed by the Will Smith slap the week before – presented an award
The incident at the Oscars occurred just before Rock announced the winner of best documentary feature, which was awarded to Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and his production team for Summer Of Soul.
The documentary also won the Grammy for best music film, and Questlove also presented the award for best song at the ceremony.
“I will present this award and I trust you will stay 500 feet away from me,” he joked ahead of the announcement that Rodrigo had won, for drivers license.
Who won what?
There are a lot of awards at the Grammys – around 70, which is so many, in fact, that lots are awarded before the ceremony is broadcast.
The big four awards are best new artist, album of the year, song of the year and record of the year, which were scooped by Rodrigo, Batiste and Silk Sonic.
Producer Dernst Emile II, centre, and Bruno Mars, left, and Anderson Paak, right, of Silk Sonic, accept the award for song of the year for Leave The Door Open
Teen star Olivia Rodrigo won awards including best new artist
Rodrigo also took home the prize for best pop vocal album for her debut Sour, while best pop duo/group performance went to Kiss Me More by Doja Cat and SZA.
Batiste, the evening’s most nominated artist with 11 nods, gave an explosive performance of his song Freedom wearing a shining silver suit and flanked by colourfully dressed dancers.
Moments later, Justin Bieber performed a soulful rendition of his track Peaches.
Lady Gaga performed a medley while Jon Batiste (below) picked up album of the year
Lady Gaga was also among the performers, and received a standing ovation after delivering a tribute to her collaborator Tony Bennett.
The 95-year-old, who has Alzheimer’s disease, introduced the star via a pre-recorded video, but was unable to attend the event in person due to his health.
Gaga dedicated her performance to Bennett, saying after the song: “We love you Tony, we miss you.”