Mrs. Clinton Wins a Grammy

The Beatles, Eric Clapton, LeAnn Rimes and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds were multiple Grammy award winners Wednesday night, and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton took one home.

Mrs. Clinton, saying she was “amazed” to win for her recording of her book on child rearing, “It Takes a Village,” picked up the prize during the pre-telecast presentation ceremony at Madison Square Garden before heading back to Washington for a state dinner.

“I was very surprised because I didn’t even know that the Grammys were given to tone deaf people like me,” said Mrs. Clinton, recalling an off-key duet she recently performed on “The Rosie O’Donnell Show.”

Music’s top awards ceremony was moved to the Garden this year and, for the first time, members of the public were admitted to see the televised portion of the show.

With three awards on Wednesday, the Beatles nearly doubled their lifetime haul of Grammys. They won for best pop performance by a duo or group for “Free As a Bird,” the song by the three surviving members from a tape left by the late John Lennon.

They also won two video awards for “Free As a Bird” and their anthology project. During their peak in the 1960s, the Beatles won only four Grammy awards.

Eric Clapton won two Grammys, including best male pop vocal performance for “Change the World.” He performed the song in a duet with Babyface, his producer.

“I feel like this is kind of rigged or something,” said Clapton, who also won for best rock instrumental performance for a Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute. “I just did the song and I get this prize.”

A tearful country singer LeAnn Rimes, with a dress to match her hit song, “Blue,” won the award for best new artist. The teen singing sensation also won for best female country vocal performance.

“Blue” was also honored as best country song, an award that went to writer Bill Mack.

Babyface, who earned a record-tying 12 Grammy nominations, won the songwriter’s award for best rhythm and blues composition, “Exhale (Shoop Shoop),” sung by Whitney Houston. He also was honored as producer of the year.

Tony Bennett won an award for best traditional pop vocal performance for his album, “Here’s To the Ladies.”

Tracy Chapman received a Grammy for best rock song for her plea to a reluctant lover, “Give Me One Reason.” The song was also nominated for record and song of the year.

LL Cool J was ecstatic upon finding out he won an award for best rap solo performance. “My head was exploding over there because I didn’t want to have to smile if someone else won,” he said.

Beck took a more low-key approach when he picked up a best alternative music performance for his critically praised album, “Odelay.”

“This is very smooth,” he said, running his hand over the statuette of an old record player.

Although Mrs. Clinton took home an award, another moonlighting celebrity was out of luck. Shaquille O’Neal was part of a group nominated for best rhythm and blues performance, but he lost out to the Fugees.

Veteran folk artist Pete Seeger received a standing ovation when he won an award for best traditional folk album.

Cissy Houston, mother of pop star Whitney Houston, went home a Grammy winner for the first time for a gospel performance.

Winners were chosen by the 9,000 voting members of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, a group of music business professionals.