Personalities | Adele | Grammys, Brits & 25

In 2009, London-born soul sensation Adele said that to be nominated for a Grammy Award was ‘a dream come true’ and to win two ‘blew my mind.’ Fast-forward to the 54th Grammy Awards in February 2012 and the singer was practically staggering as she posed for pictures with six further gongs.

She won Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year as well as Best Pop Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Short Form Music Video. The success reflects that of Adele’s second album 21 (2011), which easily eclipsed 19, her debut of 2008. Adele’s clean sweep of six Grammys in one night – something only fellow mononymous crooner and Adele fan Beyoncé (Knowles) has ever achieved – was described by the singer as the ‘most incredible’ night of her life.

‘Nothing beats coming home with six Grammys and then coming to the BRITs and winning Album of the Year – I’m so proud to be flying the British flag for all of you.’
Adele accepts her second BRIT Award 
before being cut off by producers

BRITs and More

At the BRIT Awards nine days later, Adele was queen of the night again, winning Best British Solo Female Artist and Best British Album for 21. At the Grammys, she had brought the house down with her soulful, powerful rendition of the hit track ‘Rolling In The Deep’ and, looking glamorous and radiant, she did so again at the BRITS. Yet when host James Corden was ordered by producers to cut Adele’s acceptance speech to a mere two sentences, controversy reigned – not least because of the cockney lass’s typical reaction; a one-fingered salute direct to the cameras. Adele was quick to let the world know the gesture was aimed at the ‘suits’, not fans. In fact, the organizers were forced to issue a public apology.

Following the album 21, Adele took home a whole host of prestigious awards, including three American Music Awards (Best Pop/Rock Album, Best Pop/Rock Female Artist and Best Adult Contemporary Artist) and two AIM Independent Music Awards, recognizing artists signed to independent record labels in the UK. At the Music of Black Origin Awards (MOBOs), she was named Best UK R&B/Soul Artist, and she also picked up a BT Digital Music award, MTV’s Song of the Year award (for ‘Rolling In The Deep’), four MTV and MTV Europe Video Music Awards and dozens of other nominations. She has graced the covers of many major magazines, including Rolling Stone, British Vogue and Glamour (which also named her UK Musician/Solo Artist of the Year in 2011).

On The Up

Following the release of 21, the future had looked uncertain as problems with the singer’s voice threatened to ruin her career. But she recovered well from throat surgery in November 2011, by which time she had even found a new love. The girl who grew up in tiny flats in...

To read the full article please either login or register .

Source: Adele: Songbird, by Alice Hudson

AUTHORITATIVE

An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...

CURATED

Classical, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country and more. Flame Tree has been making encyclopaedias and guides about music for over 20 years. Now Flame Tree Pro brings together a huge canon of carefully curated information on genres, styles, artists and instruments. It's a perfect tool for study, and entertaining too, a great companion to our music books.

Rock, A Life Story

Rock, A Life Story

The ultimate story of a life of rock music, from the 1950s to the present day.

David Bowie

David Bowie

Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers his life, music, art and movies, with a sweep of incredible photographs.