The late Ray Charles has topped this year's Grammy Awards by chalking up eight wins.

Charles scored his multiple successes with his duets album Genius Loves Company, which was recorded during the final months of his life.

He won album of the year, record of the year and best pop collaboration for his ballad with Norah Jones, Here We Go Again, as well as best pop album.

"I'm going to cry," said Jones, as she accepted the trophy for record of the year.

"I think it just shows how wonderful music can be. It's at a hundred percent with Ray Charles."

Other winners included Alicia Keys, with four Grammys, and Usher, with three.

They shared one award, for best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals for their duet My Boo.

U2 also had three awards, including best rock performance by a duo or group.

Green Day, the most nominated rock act with six nods for their politically charged punk rock opera American Idiot, won best rock album.

Kanye West won two awards, including best rap song for Jesus Walks.
 
But he was upset in the best new artist category, losing to Maroon 5 in a race that also included country singer Gretchen Wilson, the Los Lonely Boys and soul siren Joss Stone.

Rod Stewart - who had complained about never winning a Grammy - won for traditional pop vocal album for Stardust ... The Great American Songbook Vol. III.
 
The oft-maligned Britney Spears also won her first Grammy - best dance recording for Toxic.