Rockers Foo Fighters were one of the big winners early in the 54th annual Grammy awards, picking up four Grammys in rock music categories and a fifth for best long form music video. Their hit “Walk” earned them best rock performance.

Host LL Cool J took the stage and offered a prayer for Whitney Houston, her fans and her family. “Although she is gone too soon, we remain truly blessed by her musical spirit,” he said.

Organizers played a video of Houston performing her hit “I Will Always Love You” from a previous Grammy show. Later, actress an4d singer Jennifer Hudson, who won an Oscar for her role in movie musical “Dreamgirls,” is expected to perform the same song in a tribute to the singer.

Other early winners included Jay-Z and Kanye West for best rap performance with their song, “Otis” from the album “Watch the Throne,” but they failed to show up to claim their prize.

British soul singer Adele also won big, bagging three early Grammys, including best pop solo performance for her song “Somebody Like You”.