Time Is Right for the Dylans

Bob Dylan, who made a strong musical comeback in a year he suffered through a life-threatening illness, won two Grammys and his son, Jakob, also won two as the music business handed out its top honors Wednesday night.

Elton John also won a best male pop vocal performance Grammy for “Candle in the Wind 1997,” his eulogy to Princess Diana that became the best-selling single of all time.

Veteran folk rocker Shawn Colvin’s “Sunny Came Home” won the Grammy for song of the year, the most prestigious songwriter award. But as she came up to the stage at Radio City Music Hall to accept her award, the microphone was hijacked by ODB of the rap group Wu-Tang Clan, who bragged about his group.

“I’m confused now,” Colvin said. “It’s been a long road and this does matter. I appreciate it.”

The first award handed out on the CBS broadcast went to Will Smith, for his “Men in Black” rap solo, from the hit movie in which he starred. He dedicated the prize to the late rappers Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G.

Before that he joked, “This is the first time I’ve ever been on a Grammy stage.” When he won the first-ever rap trophy, the category wasn’t televised, and rap artists boycotted the event. The second time, Smith didn’t expect to win and didn’t show up.

Rapper Puff Daddy, Lilith Fair founder Sarah McLachlan, country-bluegrass performer Alison Kraus, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the late newsman Charles Kuralt were also multiple winners in the 40th annual awards show.

Trisha Yearwood won for country female vocal performance.

“You have no idea how important this is to me tonight,” Yearwood said. “This happened to me because of country radio. I love you. Thank you for your support.”

Bob Dylan’s album “Time Out of Mind” won best contemporary folk album and was in the running for the more prestigious album of the year honors. A song from that album, “Cold Irons Bound,” won for best male rock vocal performance.

Jakob Dylan won as a composer of the best rock song, “One Headlight,” performed by his band, the Wallflowers. The same song was honored as the best rock vocal performance by a duo or group.

Puff Daddy was honored with the best rap album Grammy for “No Way Out.” His top-selling tribute to the Notorious B.I.G., “I’ll Be Missing You,” won for best rap performance by a duo or group. Known more as a producer, Puff Daddy wasn’t even nominated in the best producer category, won by Babyface.

The children’s music category had a bittersweet tone. Kuralt, the former CBS newsman who died on the Fourth of July, and singer John Denver, who died in a plane crash, both won awards. Kuralt also won for best spoken word album, beating out former President Jimmy Carter.

Denver had never won a Grammy, despite his enormous popular success.

His 23-year-old son, Zachary, said his father “talked about the Grammys all the time.”

“He really wanted one. It makes it real special to be here today. We’ll take it up to Aspen [Colo.] and put it in his house some place special,” he said.

Another first-time winner was rocker John Fogerty, the former leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival, who took home the award for best rock album--”Blue Moon Swamp.”

The late classical conductor Sir Georg Solti won his record-high 31st Grammy, for best opera recording. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma won two awards.

The versatile Kraus, a Grammy favorite, won awards for best country instrumental, best bluegrass album and best country performance by a duo or group with Union Station.

Winners of the Grammy Awards are determined by the votes of eligible members of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.