2.22.01 - The Irish Times

By Kevin Courtney

U2 scored three Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, joining Eminem, Steely Dan, Macy Gray and Destiny's Child on the list of big winners.

U2 won Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Rock Performance, all for their chart-topping single, Beautiful Day.

It was the Dublin band's only release that was eligible for a Grammy Award and it won in all three categories in which it was nominated.

"It's a very unique emotion I'm feeling right now," said Bono. "I think it's called humility. I'm completely not used to it."

"On a personal level, this century has been going so well for us," added The Edge. "We see ourselves as just another Irish boy band," joked Bono, backstage at the Awards. "Actually it's hard to find four people this good-looking who are willing to write and record and perform together.

Wednesday's awards bring to 10 the total number of Grammys won by U2.

"It's funny," continued Bono, "We've won a few of these before but I don't remember really wanting it the way we wanted it tonight. We really wanted a Grammy this time. But I also felt a little guilty at first because our song was up against Macy Gray's 'I Try' and I think that's a beautiful song from an amazing singer."

The 43rd annual Grammy Awards were dominated by the Eminem controversy, with the ceremony being picketed by members of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the National Organisation For Women.

The Detroit rapper won three Grammys: Best Rap Album for The Marshall Mathers LP, Best Rap Solo Performance for 'The Real Slim Shady', and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for 'Forgot About Dre'.

"I want to thank everybody who could look past the controversy and see the album for what it was - and for what it wasn't," said Eminem.

U2 were the only Irish nominees to win a Grammy this year; The Corrs, Maire Brennan, Phil Coulter and The Chieftains went home empty-handed.

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