Babyface, Clapton and Hillary?

The artist who was expected to dominate the 39th annual Grammy Awards didn’t, and a country singer barely in her teens won the new artist prize, but perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening was in a nonmusical category as a resident of the White House took home a statue.

The ceremony, which took place at Madison Square Garden, resulted in Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds winning just three trophies after receiving a record-tying 12 nominations, and 14-year-old newcomer LeAnn Rimes beating out several critics’ darlings.

But it was Hillary Rodham Clinton who was the talk of the evening.

The first lady--the first White House occupant ever nominated for a Grammy--won in the spoken word or nonmusical album category for “It Takes a Village,” her recorded reading of her best-selling book on child rearing.

Clinton, however, did not get to accept her award before the record crowd of 12,000. Hers was one of 75 awards presented in ceremonies preceding the national telecast. Her taped acceptance, in which she thanked her husband and daughter, was played back during the televised portion of the ceremony.

Other key winners included: Eric Clapton, the legendary English rock guitarist, who won record of the year for the second time in five years, this time for “Change the World,” a gentle tale of romantic devotion (Clapton won two other awards to bring his career total to 12); Babyface, whose three awards included one as producer of Clapton’s Grammy-winning record; and Celine Dion for album of the year and best pop album. The songwriting team of Gordon Kennedy, Wayne Kirkpatrick and Tommy Sims won the Grammy for best song for “Change the World.”

Babyface’s three awards ran his career total to nine, but it was a disappointing showing for the writer-producer-performer who had tied Michael Jackson’s record for most nominations in a single year. His other victories were for producer of the year, making him the first to win in that category two years in a row, and best R&B; song.

Rimes, whose “Blue” album topped the country sales chart for six months, became the youngest person to win multiple Grammys and the first country singer in 30 years to be named best new artist. She also won for best female country vocal performance.

In accepting her best new artist trophy, Rimes said tearfully, “This award means more to me than anything in this world.”

It was a big night for three former best new artists: Sheryl Crow won for best rock album and best female rock vocal performance; Toni Braxton took home Grammys for best female pop vocal performance and best R&B; female vocal performance; and Tracy Chapman picked up the award for best rock song.

Other significant winners in the awards--which recognized records released between Oct. 1, 1995, and last Sept. 30--included Lyle Lovett for best country album and the Fugees for best rap album and best R&B; duo or group performance.

Beck, whose “Odelay” album was the most critically acclaimed work of 1996, won awards for best male rock vocal and best alternative music performance.

The Smashing Pumpkins, who lost a keyboard player to a heroin overdose just before they were to play at Madison Square Garden last summer, won for best hard rock performance.

The awards in 89 categories were determined by the 9,200 members of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, including musicians, composers, producers, arrangers and others who have contributed creatively or technically to recordings.

The show, traditionally staged in such venues as the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and New York’s Radio City Music Hall, was moved to an arena setting for the first time this year in an effort to give it a sense of spectacle and flamboyance, distinguish it from other music and awards shows and boost TV ratings, which have been somewhat disappointing.

Among the other highlights from Wednesday’s show:

* The Beatles, who collectively won only four Grammys during their ‘60s heyday, nearly doubled their lifetime total by collecting three awards. They won two for videos and the other for best pop performance by a duo or group for “Free As a Bird,” a song that was recorded by the three surviving members from a tape left behind by the late John Lennon.

* Conductor-composer Pierre Boulez collected his 19th Grammy, for best small ensemble performance, to move into a tie for fifth place on the all-time list with Stevie Wonder. Only Sir Georg Solti, Quincy Jones, Vladimir Horowitz and Henry Mancini have won more.

Other repeat winners included David Foster, who picked up Grammys No. 13 and 14 for best album (as a producer of Dion’s “Falling Into You”) and best instrumental arrangement with accompanying vocal; Chet Atkins, whose 14th Grammy was for best country instrumental performance; Vince Gill, who scooped up Grammys No. 9 and 10 for best country male vocal performance and best country collaboration; Linda Ronstadt, whose ninth Grammy was for best musical album for children; Bonnie Raitt, whose ninth Grammy was for best rock instrumental; Natalie Cole, whose eighth Grammy was for best pop collaboration; and Jimmy Sturr, a winner for the eighth time for best polka album.

Bruce Springsteen collected his seventh Grammy for best contemporary folk album and Tony Bennett picked up his seventh for best traditional pop vocal performance.

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ALSO INSIDE: * The lowdown, by genre. * The winners, A - Z. * Our TV critic’s view. * The backstage scene. See A12-A13.