Amy Winehouse to perform at Grammys via satellite

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Troubled British pop singer Amy Winehouse will perform at Sunday's Grammy Awards live via satellite from London, after the U.S. government rejected her visa application to attend the music industry's biggest night of the year in Los Angeles, organizers said on Friday.

Winehouse, who has six nominations, second only to rap star Kanye West, is currently in a rehab clinic after a well-publicized battle with drugs.

She had hoped to attend the ceremony, but the visa denial was not a huge surprise. The U.S. government has been making it harder for foreign artists with blemished records to perform in the United States.

Grammy officials said Winehouse will perform from a London studio. The song was not disclosed, but it will likely be her breakthrough hit "Rehab." The tune, which recounts her reluctance to seek help, is nominated for record of the year.

Winehouse's other nominations are for album of the year, song of the year, best new artist, female pop vocal performance and pop vocal album.

West, with eight nominations, will also perform, organizers confirmed. He has kept a relatively low profile since his mother, Donda West, died after plastic surgery almost three months ago.

Experts expect Winehouse and West will dominate the awards. "Artistically those would be the two artists that I think are most deserving of awards this year," said Spin magazine editor Doug Brod.

They are competing with each other in only one category -- album of the year. West's other nominations are in the rap field, where he is competing against himself in two categories.

Other nominated performers will include rock band the Foo Fighters, R&B singer Beyonce in a duet with Tina Turner, and rock veteran John Fogerty alongside legends Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. The telecast begins at 5 p.m. PST.

(Reporting by Dean Goodman; Editing by Alan Elsner)