Grammy Awards start but overshadowed by Houston

Monday, February 13, 2012

LOS ANGELES -- The Grammys got under way on Sunday (US time), with the Recording Academy trying to focus on music's biggest night after of the death of one of music's biggest names — Whitney Houston.

Houston died on the eve of the Grammys at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where she was preparing to attend a pre-Grammy party.

Her death cast a huge shadow over the event, and after Bruce Springsteen opened the show, host LL Cool J said: "There is no way around this. We've had a death in our family."

The actor-rapper then said a prayer for Houston as stars like Lady Gaga and Miranda Lambert bowed their heads in silence.

Then, LL Cool J introduced a clip of a glowing Houston singing one of her best-known songs, "I Will Always Love You."

LL Cool J then said: "Whitney, we will always love you." (AP)