Best opening one-two punch: Bruce Springsteen and LL Cool J

The Grammys began on a high note with a typically amped-up performance by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. The group immediately set the bar for the evening's performers with an invigorating rendition of their single, "We Take Care Of Our Own." However, it was host LL Cool J who struck the perfect tone by offering up a prayer to the late Whitney Houston and then encouraging the crowd to honour the pop legend by keeping the party alive.

"How do we speak to this time, to this day? There is no way around this: we've had a death in the family," he said. "Just as Whitney's music brought joy and laughter to our lives, let us celebrate with joy."

He then lightened the mood by surveying the room of famous faces, including "Sir O.G." Paul McCartney and "my around the way girl" Taylor Swift.