Creaky geezers Steely Dan provided one of the biggest upsets in Grammy history last night, beating out Mr. Controversy, Eminem, to scoop up the top award.
The veteran jazz-rock duo won Album of the Year for “Two Against Nature,” their first studio album in 20 years.
Steely Dan beat Eminem, Radiohead, Beck and Paul Simon.
Earlier in the night, they took Best Pop Album and beat chart-topping boy bands Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Group.
“We’ve been around a long time,” a low-key Donald Fagen, 53, said after seeing his first Grammy up close. “It’s nice to get one of these.”
Eminem, the potty-mouthed provocateur whose violent, gay-bashing, misogynist lyrics were the controversial focus of the 43rd annual Grammy show, won two awards before appearing on stage to perform a duet with openly gay superstar Elton John.
The 28-year-old rage-rapper, who took a swipe at the Grammys in his song “The Real Slim Shady,” flipped the audience the bird with both hands after being embraced by John following their duet on “Stan.”
Eminem, the target of protests outside the Los Angeles’ Staples Center, was honored for Best Solo Rap Performance and Best Rap Album, for “The Marshall Mathers LP.”
Detroit’s bad boy dedicated his second win of the night to Hallie Jade, his 5-year-old daughter with estranged wife Kim.
“Thank you baby, Daddy loves you,” the bandanna-wearing rapper said, surrounded by his back-up rap posse D-12.
“First of all, I’d like to thank everybody who could look past the controversy and see the album for what it was – and for what it wasn’t,” he said.
Meanwhile, U2 cemented their rep as the best band in the world, winning all three categories they were nominated in for their single “Beautiful Day,” including the prestigious Record of the Year, Best Rock Performance By a Group, and the songwriters award, Song of the Year.
“It’s an unusual emotion I’m feeling now – I think it’s called humility,” Bono said, picking up the Record of the Year trophy.
Destiny’s Child, who along with Eminem mentor Dr. Dre were nominated for five awards, won two, including Best R&B Performance by a Group.
Tough-as-nails country singer Shelby Lynne was named Best New Artist.
“I stand here tonight and represent nothing but music,” she said.
Veteran popster Sting took home Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Sheryl Crow won Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for “There Goes the Neighborhood” and Lenny Kravitz won in the male version of the category for “Again.”
Lifetime Achievement awards went to Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., The Beach Boys, The Who and Bob Marley.
During the pre-show festivities, Eminem’s fellow stars took pot shots at Eminem for stealing the limelight.
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl said the Eminem controversy “seems to be the theme of this awards ceremony. Frankly, I’d rather go have dinner; the suspense is killing me.”
“It’s so overhyped, “Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst complained of the Elton-Eminem duet. “Let it be what it is. To each his own.”
Toni Braxton went home with the unofficial Jennifer Lopez award for fashion.
She wore a barely there silver gown by Richard Tyler – a halter top, with plunging V-neck led into two thin panels of fabric held together by a wide silver belt.
“It took me three days to look like this, so any talk, I’m always flattered,” said Braxton.