The Young and Old(er) Make Music Together at the Grammys

Comedian Ellen DeGeneres, 55, drew big laughs by doing little more than staring in awe at her co-presenter's beauty. Beyoncé, 31, took home another Grammy for her collection; her husband, rapper-producer Jay-Z, 43, finished the evening with three of his own.

Wearing vintage-inspired Valentino, Adele, last year’s Album of the Year and almost-everything-else winner, took home one more Grammy (for "Set Fire to the Rain"). The 24-year-old new mom presented this year’s Album of the Year honors to fellow Brits, Mumford & Sons.

Memo, what memo? Last week, CBS issued instructions to Grammy attendees asking them to limit the amount of flesh on display. The network apparently had the wrong email addresses for singer superstars Jennifer Lopez, 43, and Katy Perry, 28, each of whom appeared as a presenter.

A tribute to the late reggae legend Bob Marley featured a scorching take on "Could You Be Loved?" by (from left) Sting, Bob’s son Ziggy Marley, Bruno Mars and Rihanna. Earlier, the 62-year-old Sting joined Mars in a rendition of The Police classic "Walking on the Moon."

His hoodie, sunglasses and diamond-studded walking cane (there are reports he has hip problems) made an interesting sartorial statement. Song of the Year winner Gotye gushed to his 54-year-old presenter: “You’re a big reason I was inspired to make music. Thank you.”

CBS switched to black-and-white as the 32-year-old singer turned actor turned actor-singer paid tribute to Grammys past. Looking natty in an old-school tux and fronting a big band adorned with "JT & The Tennessee Kids" drum barrels, Timberlake whet appetites for his new CD.

Her kinda loony, carnival-inspired, Alice in Wonderland-esque opening act had the 23-year-old Swift in white top hat and tails. (Perhaps channeling Tom Petty?) She unfurled a fiery version of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and also won her seventh Grammy.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dr. John, 72 (near left), was resplendent in Mardi Gras headdress, paying tribute to his hometown of New Orleans while joining The Black Keys and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on the Keys’ Best Rock Song-winning "Lonely Boy."

R&B newcomer Frank Ocean, 25, won two Grammys in his first year being nominated. His live performance of his song "Forrest Gump" (yes, it was inspired by the film), featured video screens projecting his legs running. It was … interesting?

If Ocean’s visual trickery was a little puzzling, the LED dress worn by Country Solo winner (for "Blown Away") Carrie Underwood, 29, was just about perfect. If you missed her performance, its shtick was that designs and images were projected onto the gown’s gray surface.

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw — both 45, married for 17 years and still going strong — hit the red carpet before presenting the Grammy for Song of the Year. Hill was sporting a surprising accessory: new braces on her teeth.

The trio that is fun. (yes that's the band's name and how they spell it) wowed with a rain-soaked performance of "Carry On." They won Best New Artist and Song of the Year for "We Are Young." Guitarist Jack Antonoff thanked their families for letting them live at home during the lean years.

The red-tressed blues-rock legend took home yet another Grammy Award — her 10th — for Best Americana Album for "Slipstream." The collection was the 63-year-old singer’s first new release in seven years.

An eclectic group of performers — Zac Brown, Mavis Staples and Elton John, plus winners Mumford & Sons, nominees Alabama Shakes and legend T. Bone Burnett — paid tribute to the late Levon Helm with a stirring version of "The Weight." The 73-year-old Staples was the set's star.

Colombian superstar Juanes, 40, received a Best Latin Album win, then delivered a spare, acoustic rendition of Elton John's "Your Song." Sir Elton, 65, was all over the broadcast, dueting with Ed Sheeran, 21, on the singer-songwriter’s nominated "The A Team" and helping with the Helm tribute.

The Aussie duo provided a dose of Hollywood glam, even though neither the sometimes-singing actress nor the country music star was up for a Grammy. Mr. and Mrs. Urban, both 45, seemed to be having a ball, as cameras frequently caught them dancing and hollering for the winners.

The NCIS: Los Angeles star, 45, handled his hosting duties with aplomb. During a heartfelt opening, LL Cool J thanked his late grandmother for being his "Grammy" inspiration. At night’s end, he threw down a furious performance that showed he hadn’t forgotten his rap roots.

Watch our Grammy preview slideshow, and listen to some of the catchiest tunes of 2012, including the ones you didn't get to hear on the awards telecast, like Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe." (Call her snubbed?)