Soul singer Adele triumphed over Rihanna, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga to win the Album of the
Year award for her chart-topping "21" and five other trophies at the 54th Grammy awards.

"Mom, gold is good!" Adele shouted as she took the album of he year trophy.

Adele, known for her powerful voice, underwent a vocal surgery in November last year but the singer made a grand return to the music scene with her multiple win.

The singer's six wins also included record and song of the year for "Rolling in the Deep". The only other singer to win six trophies in one night is Beyonce, who set the record two years ago.

The 23-year-old artist won trophies in all the six categories she was nominated for, making a clean sweep at the mega music awards here, which mourned the death of Whitney Houston, who was found dead in her hotel room on Sunday night.

In the most poignant moment of the award night, singer Jennifer Hudson paid a music tribute to her idol by singing Houston's signature songs, "I Will Always Love You", ending it with "Whitney, we will always love you."

The night's other big winners were Grohl's Foo Fighters, who won five Grammys including the best rock performance for "Walk" and best rock album for "Wasting Light".

Singer Tony Bennett received the Grammy for best pop performance by a duo or group for his duet with late Amy Winehouse on "Body and Soul. He was joined on stage by the singer's parents.

Country darling Taylor Swift won Grammys for best country song and best country solo performance for "Mean", a song about the people who were mean to her.