Grammys 2017: David Bowie's 'Blackstar' wins all five nominated categories

LOS ANGELES: Despite being shut out of the major categories at the 2017 Grammys, David Bowie (pic) and his album "Blackstar" were honoured by the Recording Academy, winning in all five of its nominated categories.

Bowie, who died in January 2016, and "Blackstar" won four Grammys during the pre-show for best rock performance, best alternative music album, best engineered album, non-classical and best recording package. During the televised show, Bowie won best rock song.

The winners who accepted for "Blackstar" during the pre-show uniformly praised the late musician's artistic vision and ability to inspire others to deliver their best work. He was also remembered for having a sharp sense of humour, even while in failing health.

Although he received a Grammy lifetime achievement award in 2006 and an award for best music film in 1985, Bowie's work was widely overlooked by the academy during his lifetime. Remarkably, this posthumous victory marks Bowie's first wins in musical categories.

In his predictions for the 2017 Grammys, Variety's Andrew Barker anticipated Bowie's early run: "Expect to see voters make up for its absence in the top slots," he wrote. - Reuters