Adele basks in her 6 Grammy win

Adele is rolling with Grammy hardware to spare, that’s for sure.

The singer made her first post-surgery comeback by winning all six of her nominations at the 2012 Grammy Awards. Taking the stage to accept her final award, the 23-year-old teared up, crediting the album’s inspiration to a “rubbish relationship.”

Beyond Adele’s tears of joy and success, however, The 54th Grammy Awards was a night full of celebrations and tributes, with the sudden passing of Whitney Houston on Feb 12 adding a somber and sober note to an enthusiastic show. In case you missed it, here’s a recap of the night’s highlights from the celebrities who got to experience it front and center.

Winners and Highlights from the Red Carpet

10:17AM: Amy Winehouse’s parents accept award, brought on stage by Tony Bennett, who won for Best Pop Duo/Group performance with Winehouse. “There is a new girl band up in heaven with Amy, Whitney and Etta,” Winehouse’s father, Mitch Winhouse, says of Houston’s passing.

10:30AM: Live from the red carpet, E! Correspondent Kelly Osbourne, @MissKellyO cites the “sad atmosphere down here today.” Later, she perks upon meeting YouTube sensations – and correspondents for the The Ellen Show – Sophia-Grace and Rosie.

Kelly Osbourne; Twitter.com

10:19AM: Before the show, Kelly Rowland gave fans a fashion sneak peak:

@KELLYROWLAND - One of my best moments? Getty ready for #theGRAMYs

Kelly Rowland; Twitter.com

Rowland was also one of the many stars overcome with emotion on the red carpet, describing Houston as a "hero" who impacted "not just the music industry but the world” to Ryan Seacrest.

10:29AM: Taylor Swift shares a picture following her two big wins for Mean: “@taylorswift13: Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance. I’m floating.” she posts on Twitter.

Taylor Swift; Twitter.com

10:45AM: Newcomer group Foster the People make their Grammy Debut – and make backstage friends with Beatles icon Paul McCartney.

Sir Paul McCartney poses with Foster the People; Twitter.com

11:20AM: Dubbed “This year’s Lady GaGa” by Kelly Osbourne, Nicki Minaj arrives on the red carpet in religious-themed get up, custom made by Versace. Even comedian Steve Carrell had something to say:

@SteveCarell - WTF is Nicki Minaj wearing Lady Gaga's costume for?

Nicki Minaj with her "Pope" escort

11:35AM: “Simple, sexy, and a little gangster,” a newly blonde Rihanna says about her outfit choice upon arriving on the carpet.

Rihanna poses on the red carpet in her custom-made Armani gown

12:09PM: Following a performance by Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band, Grammy host LL Cool J begins the show with a prayer dedicated to Whitney Houston:

"Heavenly father, we thank you for sharing our sister Whitney with us. Today, our thoughts are with her mother, her daughter, and all of her loved ones, and although she's gone too soon, we remain truly blessed to have been blessed by her beautiful spirit."

12:14PM “Get off your rich asses and lets have some fun!” four-time Grammy nominee Bruno Mars announces to the audience as he kicks off the broadcast with a high-energy performance of Runaway: "Tonight we celebrate music," he said.

12:24PM, Adele Wins for Best Solo Performance. Her third award of the evening, this time for “Someone Like You.” “I have to thank my doctors for bringing my voice back,” she says in an emotional speech.

1:33PM: Adam Levine and Foster the People join The Beach Boys for their reunion medley, an evening highlight for Katy Perry:

@katyperry - You know it's a great day when you walk into the Staples Center and all The Beach Boys are physically playing on stage.

1:38pm: After a performance that earned praise from Nicki Minaj and Paris Hilton, Chris Brown makes his controversial comeback official with a win for Best R&B album for F.A.M.E.

1:58PM: Katy Perry debuts her new song, “Part of Me” at Grammys. But does the new song take a dig at ex-Russell Brand?

"Now look at me, I'm sparking/A firework, a dancing flame/You won't ever put me out again,"

Perry, who signed off on her divorce papers with a smiley face last week, sang. Another line:

"You can keep everything."

Katy Perry performs at the 54th Grammy Awards

2:15 PM: Introduced by Gwenyth Paltrow, Adele Rocked the House as she made her triumphant return belting out her soulful hit “Rolling in the Deep.” The performance even earned her a standing ovation from Sir Paul McCartney.

Nominated for six awards, at the time of her performance, Adele has already won four awards (Best Short Form Music Video, Song Of The Year, Best Pop Solo Vocal Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album).

2:50PM: Jennifer Hudson’s emotional tribute to Whitney Houston tribute went off without a hitch, high notes and all. At a pre-Grammy event, Hudson said Houston's tune "I Will Always Love You" inspired her, adding that she would "create duets with her because I wanted to sing with Whitney Houston." Hudson was reportedly in tears during rehearsals, but was able to make it through the performance.

Jennifer Hudson performs "I Will Always Love You"

3:13PM: Adele wins again, nabbing Record of the Year for “Rolling in the Deep”

3:25PM Adele wins Album Of The Year for her heart-wrenching sophomore album 21. She was overcome with emotion at the beginning of her speech but gathered herself before continuing with the remark that the album is based on "something everyone's been through -- a rubbish relationship".

Fellow nominee for both Album Of The Year and Record of the Year, Katy Perry tweeted her congratulations to the evening’s reigning Queen, Adele:

@katyperry - @OfficialAdele show em how it's done, like a BOSS. #cutestsweetestmostdeservingest

For more inside coverage on this year’s Grammys, be sure to pick up the new issue of WHO, on sale Friday.