Music's biggest night celebrated its 50th anniversary by taking a long look back at its history Sunday with a wealth of live performances.

So it was only fitting that the night's two biggest winners were a soul singer whose sound is steeped in the past and a legendary jazz man who has been at it for nearly 45 years.

At the 50th Annual Grammy Awards last night, Amy Winehouse was the big winner, taking home five awards, including song of the year, record of the year, best new artist, best female pop-vocal performance, and best pop-vocal album for her platinum-selling sophomore effort Back to Black.

But in a surprise twist at the end of the night, jazz pianist Herbie Hancock won album of the year for River: The Joni Letters, a tribute album to Joni Mitchell.

"It's been 43 years since the first and only time that a jazz artist got the album of the year award," Hancock said in accepting the award, pointing to the 1964 win of Getz/Gilberto, a collaboration between Stan Getz and João Gilberto. "I'd like to thank the Academy for courageously breaking the mold this time. In doing so, honoring the giants upon whose shoulders I stand, some of whom like Miles Davis, John Coltrane...unquestionably, deserved the award in the past. But this is a new day that proves that the impossible can be made possible."

Though Hancock's win capped off the night, the 24-year-old Winehouse dominated most of the major awards from afar, appearing via satellite in London because her request for a visa to attend the event was denied last week.

Winehouse performed via satellite, singing "You Know I'm No Good" and "Rehab," the latter of which proved an utterly surreal moment--even by awards-show standards--given that Winehouse is currently in the midst of a rehab stint for drug addiction.

The decidedly nervous singer pulled her mother Janis onstage as she accepted the trophy for record of the year.

"Thank you to everyone at Island Records, everyone at EMI Music Publishing...to my mum and dad, to my Blake incarcerated...and to London, this is for London!" Winehouse said, alluding to her husband Blake Fielder-Civil, who remains in jail on charges of allegedly bribing a man he is accused of assaulting.

Kanye West, who came into the ceremony with the most nominations of anyone at eight, split the difference in taking home four awards, including best rap album and best rap solo performance. In accepting the award for best rap album, West acknowledged his mother, Donda West, who died Nov. 10. He also chastised the event's producers for its customary practice of playing music when an acceptance speech runs long.

"I appreciate all the support and all the prayers--it'd be in good taste to stop the music now--I appreciate everything," he said. "And I know you're really proud of me right now, and I know you wouldn't want me to stop, and you'd want me to be the number one artist in the world."

West performed a stirring rendition of his hit "Stronger," joined by Daft Punk, the French electronic group he sampled for the song. It was Daft Punk's first-ever television performance in its 14-year history. West also performed "Hey Mama," which he dedicated to his late mother.

It was also a big night for Bruce Springsteen, who won three Grammys, although each was handed out during the untelevised portion of the show. The Foo Fighters, who performed "The Pretender" during the "My Grammy Moment" segment, won best rock album for Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace.

The night was dominated by collaborative performances. Alicia Keys kicked off the event by singing "Learnin' The Blues" while accompanied by archival footage of Frank Sinatra, à la Natalie Cole's "Unforgettable" duet with her deceased father in 1992.

Beyoncé was paired with Tina Turner for a rousing rendition of "Proud Mary." Kid Rock joined up with Keely Smith, a winner in the very first Grammys in 1958, for "That Old Black Magic." Hancock and Chinese wunderkind Lang Lang did the dueling-pianos thing for a compelling take on George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," and Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban played a tribute to the late Luciano Pavarotti.

The Beatles were honored by performers from two new interpretations of their music, the Cirque du Soleil show Love and Julie Taymor's film Across the Universe. The Time and Rihanna played a dazzling throwback set that featured songs from both of their respective catalogs.

The final performance of the night came from multiple nominee John Fogerty, who was joined by Jerry Lee Lewis, 72, and Little Richard, 75. The legendary rock pioneers played "Great Balls of Fire" and "Good Golly, Miss Molly" before Usher and Quincy Jones presented Hancock with the night's biggest prize.

Partial list of Grammy winners: (Click here for full list)

Album of the Year: Herbie Hancock - River: The Joni Letters

Record of the Year: Amy Winehouse - "Rehab"

Song of the Year: Amy Winehouse - "Rehab"

New Artist: Amy Winehouse

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Mark Ronson

Pop Vocal Album: Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

Female Pop Vocal Performance: Amy Winehouse - "Rehab"

Male Pop Vocal Performance: Justin Timberlake - "What Goes Around...Comes Around"

Alternative Music Album: The White Stripes - Icky Thump

Rock Album: Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace

Hard Rock Performance:Foo Fighters - "The Pretender"

Metal Performance:Slayer - "Final Six"

Rap Album: Kanye West - Graduation

Rap Solo Performance: Kanye West - "Stronger"

Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: Common feat. Kanye West - "Southside"

Rap/Sung Collaboration: Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z - "Umbrella"

Rap Song: Kanye West - "Good Life"

Country Album: Vince Gill - These Days

Country Song: Carrie Underwood - "Before He Cheats"

Electronic/Dance Album: The Chemical Brothers - We Are the Night

Contemporary Jazz Album: Herbie Hancock - River: The Joni Letters

Reggae Album: Stephen Marley - Mind Control

Traditional Gospel Album: The Clark Sisters - Live -- One Last Time

Spoken Word: Barack Obama - The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream

Comedy Album: Flight of the Conchords - The Distant Future