The Grammys got underway with a classic feel, and Kanye West and Amy Winehouse—two of the night's most compelling storylines—were among the early leaders at Sunday night's ceremony.

West won three trophies at the pre-telecast ceremony: best rap solo performance for "Stronger," best rap song for "Good Life" and best rap performance by a duo or group for his collaboration with Common on "Southside." Winehouse won two: best pop vocal album for "Back to Black" and best female pop vocals.

"Frank Sinatra looked good for 150, didn't he," Prince joked moments later before introducing Alicia Keys as the winner for best female R&B vocal for her smash "No One.

West was the night's leading nominee with eight nods: He has a history, good or bad, of creating memorable awards show moments. But Winehouse—who wasn't even able to attend—threatened to upstage him and everyone else on Grammy night.

The troubled singer-songwriter was up for six awards, including album of the year for "Back to Black." She was due to perform via satellite from her native Britain, where she is being treated in a rehab center for substance abuse.

The 24-year-old star's personal life has fallen apart over the past year as her career blossomed. In the days leading up to the ceremony, suspense built over whether she would appear at the ceremony in any form.

She was rejected Thursday for a U.S. work visa, but Grammy producers arranged for her to perform via telecast. Soon afterward, the U.S. government reversed itself and approved Winehouse, but it was too late at that point to make the cross-continental trek.

Besides West and Winehouse, the other album of the year contenders were the Foo Fighters' "Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace," Vince Gill's "These Days," and Herbie Hancock's "River: The Joni Letters."

For record of the year, Winehouse's "Rehab" is competing against Beyonce's "Irreplaceable," Rihanna's "Umbrella," "The Pretender" by the Foo Fighters and Justin Timberlake's "What Goes Around ... Comes Around."