Country trio The Dixie Chicks have made a triumphant comeback by dominating the major honours at the Grammy Awards.

The group’s five prizes come four years after they caused uproar among many US country music fans for saying they were “ashamed” of President George Bush. Their awards included best song, record and album. The Red Hot Chili Peppers won four, while Mary J Blige won three. The ceremony was opened by reformed pop group The Police – but it was a bad night for other Brits like James Blunt.

The UK singer was up for five awards but went home empty-handed. Other British nominees like Corinne Bailey Rae, KT Tunstall and the Arctic Moneys also lost out. The Dixie Chicks’ victory in the top three categories represents vindication for a group who were banned from many US radio stations and received death threats after making their controversial comments. At a concert in London on the eve of the Iraq war in 2003, singer Natalie Maines told the crowd she was “ashamed” that Bush came from her home state, Texas. At the Grammy ceremony on Sunday, their single Not Ready to Make Nice – including lyrics like “I’m not ready to back down, I’m still mad as hell” – was named song of the year and record of the year. It also picked up best country performance by a duo or group. Their haul was completed by best album as well as best country album for Taking The Long Way.