After winning three Grammys, Eminem [ tickets ] gave the finger--figuratively and literally--to protesters with a stunning rendition of the rapper's hit "Stan" with Elton John [ tickets ] at Wednesday's (2/21) Grammy Award ceremony.

Elton John and Eminem's performance of "Stan" was a study in contrasts. John, wearing a brightly colored polka-dotted suit, and Eminem, donning a light blue running suit and backward visor, stood at opposite ends of the stage. A video thunderstorm, bookended by curtains blowing in the wind, provided the backdrop. At the end of the number, the two came together and embraced before raising their clasped hands.

After they untangled their hands--as the crowd stood cheering--Eminem flipped off the audience, as if to prove that he's still a rebel.

Eminem took home three statues during the event at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. His controversial release "The Real Slim Shady" garnered the Rap Solo Performance and Rap Album awards, while he and Dr. Dre's "Forgot About Dre" was named best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

"First of all, I want to thank everybody who could look past the controversy and see the album for what it was, and for also what it isn't," Eminem, flanked by members of his side project D-12, said while accepting an award. The embattled rapper's album, which is eight-times-platinum, employs the use of anti-gay slang, and describes in detail fantasies involving the murder of his wife Kim, and the rape of his mother.

The big winner, however, was Steely Dan [ tickets ], which earned four Grammys--Album of the Year, Pop Vocal Album and Engineered Album, Non-Classical for "Two Against Nature," and Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Cousin Dupree." The album is its first in 19 years.

"We've been around a long time. It's nice to get one of these," said Steely Dan's Donald Fagen.

U2 [ tickets ] and Faith Hill [ tickets ] also won three awards, while Destiny's Child, Foo Fighters and D'Angelo earned two. Madonna, who received multiple nominations, was given a Grammy for best Recording Package for "Music."

U2 won Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal honors for its song "Beautiful Day." Lead singer Bono put a new spin on the thank-the-creator speech.

"God is sort of looking down at people [making acceptance speeches] and saying, 'Don't thank me for this song. There's no hook. The chorus is weak and they'll never play it on the radio.' Thanks for playing it on the radio," he said.

In accepting the Record of the Year award, Bono came across as genuinely honored.

"I think Macy Gray really should have some of this. There's a lot of people here who should have some of this. Really, it's a very unusual emotion I'm feeling right now. I think it's called humility. [I'm] completely not used to it. The whole year has been quite humbling. Going back to scratch. Reapplying for the job. What job? The 'best band in the world' job. There's a lot of people here tonight [who are] up for that job."

After calling nominees Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Destiny's Child co-applicants, Bono proclaimed "Right now, it's our night."

Faith Hill, on the other hand, spoke at length and told producers that she was not to be cut off during her acceptance speech.

"I waited a long time for this award. So, please don't start the music," she said playfully.

Robbie Robertson, before naming the first Native American Music Album winner, offered a political statement, chiding former President Bill Clinton for pardoning Mark Rich and not Native American activist Leonard Peltier.

"This is somewhat of an historic occasion tonight," he said. "After some years of convincing, the Grammys are acknowledging, for the first time, Native American music, the original roots music of this continent. We haven't gotten freedom for Leonard Peltier yet. Maybe he's not Mark Rich-enough."

Clinton, in his last days as president, pardoned Rich, who fled the United States after being charged with 51 counts of wire fraud, racketeering, evading more than $48 million in U.S. income taxes, and trading with the enemy. Congress is investigating the pardon.

Peltier has been in jail for 24 years for killing two FBI agents. Many activists contend that the government did not make its case against Peltier, and that Peltier should be released.

Country singer Shelby Lynne seemed mortified by her Best New Artist prize.

"Thirteen years and six albums to get here. I would like to thank my parents for always stressing to be an individual, and I am here tonight representing nothin' but music."

Lynne, Hill, U2, Macy Gray and Destiny's Child were a part of the 14 live musical performances. The ceremony kicked off with Madonna's performance of her nominated song "Music." She arrived on stage via a mirrored limousine driven by 13-year-old rap star Lil' Bow Wow. Wearing a black leather shirt and black pants, she removed her shirt to reveal a tank emblazoned with "material girl."

Jill Scott, the Blue Man Group and Moby provided a stellar rendition of Moby's Best Dance Recording-nominated song "Natural Blues." Moby, who lost to the Baha Men's "Who Let the Dogs Out," played guitar as Scott sang and the musical theater troupe played percussion.

Host Jon Stewart, of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," proved tepid, failing to engage the audience with his banter. Early in the night, he made light of the Eminem controversy.

"I met Eminem backstage and he is really gay. He's about the gayest guy you'll ever meet. I was backstage with Elton. We were pounding some brews and watching the XFL. … I don't want to diminish the controversy about lyrics. There are some dangerous lyrics out there. No matter what it says in the song, Saturday is not all right for fighting." Stewart was referring to John's song "Saturday Night's All Right For Fighting."

A planned protest by gay and women's rights organizations was called a flop after only 50-100 people showed up with signs. In an apparent message to Eminem and his supporters, the gay rights group Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN.org), purchased advertising time for a commercial featuring the mother of Matthew Shepard--the gay University of Wyoming student who was murdered in 1998--and children using derogatory words for homosexuals.

In introducing the John-Eminem performance, Recording Academy President/CEO Michael Greene explained the Grammys' spin on its spotlighting of Eminem's music.

"The controversy [over] extreme lyrics has been a heat-seeking missile. It's important to remember that the academy is not here to defend or vilify, commercialize or sensor art. We're here to recognize those recordings that are notable, noticeable and oft-times controversial," he said.

"[Music] has always been a voice of rebellion, a militarized zone which is chronicled by the CNN of the inner city-rap and hip-hop music. We can't edit out the art that makes us uncomfortable."

CBS apparently had trouble "editing out" profanities within "Stan," as several of them slipped by producers.

Click here for a list of Grammy winners.