LOS ANGELES, Feb. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Veteran rock band U2 became the biggest winner in the 48th annual Grammy celebration here Wednesday night. With 5 awards, it dwarfed pop diva Mariah Carey.

    The Irish rockers' album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, was titled as the album of the year and best rock album. Songs in the album were also awarded as song of the year, best rock performanceby a group, and best rock song.

    "If you think this is going to go to our head, it's too late," said U2 singer Bono while accepting the trophies. U2 won in all five categories in which they were nominated, bringing its Grammy triumphs to 21.

    Last year, the band won three Grammys for "Vertigo," the first single of "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb."

    Mariah Carey, who went into the awards with a leading eight nominations, ended her 16-year Grammy losing streak with three wins.

    During the ceremony at the Los Angeles Convention Center earlier, Carey's comeback collection "The Emancipation of Mimi" triumphed as best contemporary rhythm and blues (R&B) album for the 48th annual Grammy awards.

    Carey, among this year's top nominees with eight nominations, also won best female R&B performance for "We Belong Together." She shared a piece of the best R&B song award with three collaborators.

    But fellow eight-time nominee John Legend's debut "Get Lifted" was named best R&B album.

    Legend also won in the category of male R&B vocal performance for "Ordinary People," and Kelly Clarkson won two Grammys for pop vocal album ("Breakaway") and in the female pop vocal performance category for "Since U Been Gone."

    Kanye West won in the rap album category for "Late Registration," and Alison Krauss and her band Union Station won the country album Grammy for "Lonely Runs Both Ways."

    West, also in the running for eight awards, took best rap solo performance for "Gold Digger" and shared the best rap song award for "Diamonds From Sierra Leone" in the pre-telecast ceremony.

    Stevie Wonder, with 22 previous Grammys to his credit and up for six this year, rang up two awards. Wonder and Beyonce Knowles, also a six-time nominee this year, were cited together in the category of best R&B performance by a duo or group, for their duet "So Amazing," the title tracked from last year's all-star tribute to Luther Vandross.

    Wonder also won best male pop vocal performance for "From the Bottom of My Heart." Steve Lillywhite, producer of the U2 album and Jason Mraz's "Mr. A-Z," was tapped as nonclassical producer ofthe year.

    Fiddler-vocalist Krauss earlier won with two Grammys: best country duo or group performance for "Restless," and best country instrumental performance for "Unionhouse Branch."

    U.S. National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, which organizes the Grammy ceremony, uses the pre-broadcast Grammys to honor alternative categories, including Hawaiian music, and behind-the-scenes work such as best instrumental arrangement accompanying a vocalist.

    Last year, the late Ray Charles's "Genius Loves Company" took early Grammys and went on to win eight, including album of the year. And this year, the music from the movie "Ray" about Ray Charles took the Grammy for best soundtrack album for a motion picture.

    Early winners for the 48th annual Grammys were announced Wednesday at the Los Angeles Convention Center, ahead of the CBS television broadcast of the annual music awards ceremony.

    Representing his family's tradition, Damian Marley, son of reggae master Bob Marley, received the nod for best reggae album for his best-seller "Welcome to Jamrock."

    Guitar innovator Les Paul received two awards: best pop instrumental performance for the track "Caravan," and best rock instrumental performance for "69 Freedom Special," both from his rock-oriented album "American Made, World Played." Enditem