Grammys pay tribute again to Beatles

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Grammys just can't let the Beatles let it be. The Fab Four were honored yet again at the 50th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, just two years after the pioneering rock band was last feted at the record industry's biggest awards ceremony.

"Today we celebrate the power of the Beatles," said actor Tom Hanks in introducing the Las Vegas cast of the Cirque du Soleil show "Love" and stars from the movie musical "Across the Universe," singing the Beatles' classic hit "Let It Be."

Paul McCartney, who has not won a Grammy since 1980, was nominated three times this year but lost out in all those categories during the non-televised ceremony that preceded the main event.

Beatles-related tunes also figured in other categories. Punk band Green Day's cover of John Lennon's "Working Class Hero" and U2's cover of Lennon's "Instant Karma," both recorded for the charity record "Instant Karma -- The Campaign to Save Darfur," were nominated for best rock performance by a duo or group with vocals. They lost out to the White Stripes.

Beatles producer Sir George Martin had more luck. He and his son Giles won the surround-sound Grammy for "Love," an album of remixed Beatles tunes that form the musical basis for the Cirque du Soleil show.

The Martins also won for best compilation soundtrack album, and were accompanied by ex-Beatle Ringo Starr as they strode onstage to accept their trophy.

"Hi. My name is Ringo," the Beatles drummer announced, drawing laughs from the audience.

"A long time ago we made these records with John, Paul and George (Harrison), and now George Martin is involved again," he said.

McCartney performed on the Grammys two years ago with Jay-Z and Linkin Park during the 48th annual edition of the show.

(Editing by Steve Gorman)