Grammy Awards 2011

Sunday evening 13th February saw the 53rd instalment of the Grammy awards for musical excellence, which opened its three-and-a-half-hour ceremony with an all-star tribute to soul legend Aretha Franklin. Established in 1957 the Grammys are the only peer-presented award to honour artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position.

'This is my first GRAMMY for music, and it's appreciated greatly.' - Neil Young 

Highlights of the night included Bob Dylan's performance of 'Maggie's Farm' live with Grammy-nominees Mumford & Sons and folk-rock band the Avett Brothers. The Best Rock Song award was given to Neil Young for 'Angry World' and Sir Paul McCartney was honoured with the Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance award for 'Helter Skelter', his first solo Grammy award for 39 years.

The Grammys are awarded by The Recording Academy, an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers.

The full list of winners can be found at www.grammys.com.

Above: Bob Dylan recording Highway '61 © Jerry Schatzberg, from THIN WILD MERCURY.