Canadian indie band Arcade Fire won the coveted best album top award at the climax of the three-and-half-hour show in Los Angeles, while Lady Gaga -- who turned up in an egg, in inimitable style -- garnered three gongs.
Rapper Eminem, who had been nominated in 10 categories and was hoping to cap a comeback year, had to settle for two wins after a show including performances by rock legend Mick Jagger, folk icon Bob Dylan and diva Barbra Streisand.
Jazz bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding, who is one of President Barack Obama's favorite musicians, was named best newcomer at the music industry's annual awards, beating teen sensation Bieber among others shortlisted.
Lady Antebellum appeared shocked by their success, in winning in five of the six categories for which they had been nominated including best song and best record for "Need You Now," from their best-selling album of the same name.
"We are completely floating ... We're on a cloud," said female band member Hillary Scott immediately after the show, calling it "just the most humbinng feeling in the entire world."
Charles Kelley, leader singer of the Nashville, Tennessee-based band, added: "It definitely feels pretty surreal ...It does feel like we've arrived in a way... We'll probably never have one of these moments again.
"We're gonna try to soak it up ..we're never gonna ever forget this for the rest of our lives."
The trio were only prevented from winning a clean sweep of all six categories in which they were nominated by Arcade Fire, who won album of the year Grammy for their record "The Suburbs."
Eminem, who performed his song "Love the Way You Lie" with Rihanna at LA's Spaples Center, had garnered the most nominations ahead of the show, with nods in 10 categories, fueling hopes o.
The singer -- real name Marshall Bruce Mathers III -- dropped out of music-making in the middle of the past decade as he battled with drug problems, but returned with the album "Relapse" in 2009, before 2010's "Recovery."
But hopes that his comeback would be crowned with a brace of Grammys were not to be: he ended the evening with only two -- best rap album for "Recovery" and best rap solo.
The show began with a tribute to soul legend Aretha Franklin, with singers including Christina Aguilera belting out a string of Franklin's hits including "Respect," "Think" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman."
The "Queen of Soul," recovering from reported cancer surgery, send a video message thanking everyone for their prayers and promising to be back for next year's show.
Of the veterans who did perform Sunday, Jagger was the most explosive, rocking the show with a version of the Blues Brothers' classic "Everybody Needs Somebody."
Dressed in a purple gown Streisand, who rarely performs in public tese days, sang "Evergreen," while Dylan growled his way through "Maggie's Farm" backed by an acoustic band, with a harmonica flourish at the end.
Possibly the most memorable acts of the evening was by Cee Lo Green, who sang the toe-tapping "Forget You" in a costume topped by multi-colored feathers -- and accompanied by slinkily-dressed actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who gave a stunning performance ending up dancing on the artist's grand piano.
After the show top newcomer Spalding, who has performed at the White House twice, played down the fact that she had beaten mega-selling artists including Bieber, even with his new haircut.
"I didn't beat him. I mean, he sold more records than me, did he beat me?" Spalding said afterwards .. "And and he has great hair and I have great hair," added the Afro-topped 26-year-old African-American musician. (AFP)
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