The band were on stage at The Staples Centre in Los Angeles yesterday, running through songs for the big show tonight. Edge spent the morning in rehearsals with Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen and others preparing for a special Grammy focus on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

On stage after six weeks off, U2 looked rested and happy to be back at the
day job. Adam was in shades, Edge in a very cool 'Music Rising' t-shirt and Bono playing his favourite 'The Goal is Soul' guitar.

Without giving too much away, when Mary J Blige joined them on stage for 'One' you sensed that the roof will get a little raising come the live show. U2 and Mary went through the song plenty of times just to get it spot on. 'A pleasure to work with Mary J,' said the singer when they finally called it a day.

Later on Bono was on camera with Ellen Degeneres for her show, before some
MTV filming. In the evening it was time to big it up for Mr Chris Blackwell who was presented with the Trustees Award at the Grammy Special Merit Awards. Blackwell was the man who founded and ran Island Records for many years - and signed you know who back in 1978.

'Thank you for being the pilot of the U2 aeroplane,' as Bono put it. 'We wouldn't be here without you.'