L.A. WATCH : Grammy Glitz

The Grammys returned to Los Angeles Wednesday with a glamorous salute to the best in pop, rock, country, rhythm & blues, rap, jazz and classical music. The homecoming provided a chance for the region to show off to more than 1 billion television viewers--nearly twice the massive audience that recently watched the Super Bowl on a postcard-perfect Southern California day.

The victors were as diverse as rocker Eric Clapton, crooner Tony Bennett, Irish rock group U2, country star Mary-Chapin Carpenter, R&B; singer Chaka Khan, reggae rapper Shabba Ranks, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and soprano Kathleen Battle.

The glitz of the 35th annual Grammys provided an antidote to the depressing images of recent torrential rains and mudslides--as well as a welcome contrast to the lingering images of last year’s riots.

Happy images sell millions of visitors on vacation dreams in Los Angeles. Those tourists give a substantial boost to business when they patronize hotels, restaurants, theme parks, stores and other local attractions.

Mayor Tom Bradley and his ad hoc Los Angeles Grammy Host Committee understand the positive impact of the show. They deserve credit for luring the production back from New York, where it was held the last two years. But they need help to keep the Grammys here, where the awards were first handed out in 1959. New York wants the show to return, and is willing to pay. Certainly, Los Angeles has as much to offer, if not more. Let’s make it clear that the Grammys are always welcome in Los Angeles.