Natalie Cole Heads the Pack of Grammy-Award Winners

IT was an "Unforgettable" night for singer Natalie Cole, whose remake of her father's hit took six Grammys at Tuesday night's awards ceremony, including record of the year and song of the year. Cole's No. 1 hit album is a collection of her father Nat King Cole's beloved songs from the 1940s and '50s, and the song, "Unforgettable," is a "duet" with his recorded voice.

Blues singer and guitarist Bonnie Raitt, who won four Grammys last time, took three more, while Georgia rockers R.E.M. picked up their first three, including the award for best pop group performance.

Raitt won the award for best pop performance female, best rock performance solo, and best rock performance for a duo or group with vocal for her duet with Delbert McClinton.

Michael Bolton won best pop vocal male, and the best new artist was Marc Cohn, who came to national attention with his invitation to perform at Caroline Kennedy's wedding in 1986.

Other winners were blues singer and guitarist B.B. King for best traditional blues album, and young vocal group Boyz II Men for best R&B performance by a duo or group.

Best rap solo performance went to L.L. Cool J, and the award for best rap group went to DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince.

Best R&B performance female was a tie between Patti LaBelle and Lisa Fischer, while the award for best R&B performance male went to Luther Vandross.

Best country group performance went to The Judds, while best country vocal performance female went to Mary-Chapin Carpenter. Best country performance male was won by Garth Brooks.

Whoopi Goldberg, herself a 1985 Grammy winner for Best Comedy Album, hosted the awards ceremony, which was held at Radio City Music Hall here.

The show featured live performances by several nominees, including Raitt, Grant, Mariah Carey, The Commitments, LL Cool J, Johnny Mathis, Metallica, Roy Rogers, and Clint Black.

It also included a few scattered political statements, including the wearing of red ribbons to call for more funding to fight AIDS and R.E.M.'s call for people to register and vote.

Some of the best-known performers in music went home empty-handed.

Bryan Adams, who had been nominated for the prestigious record of the year, song of the year, best rock song, and best pop vocal performance Grammys was shut out in all four categories.