The 58th Grammy Awards was again hosted by the two time Grammy winner, 9 time nominee, and Hollywood Walk of Fame entertainer L.L. Cool Jay. Before the show began, back in the holding room, the Grammy host expressed how much he loves music and how it excites him saying that “It’s magnetic – it’s crazy!” Explaining that “with all that divides us today, our shared love of music unites all of us.”
Well that’s what music is all about and the 58th Annual Grammy Awards brought it on! This was a night of celebration for all genres of music and the music industry as a whole. Setting the expectations for the evening, pop princess Taylor Swift took to the stage wearing a black slinky, sparkly body suit (revealing a little skin) while belting “Out of The Woods” from her album 1989. Not only the evening’s opening performer, she also took home the Grammy for Album of the Year. More on that later.
The evening continued on with a variety of wonderful and notable performances – with what I noticed to be a lof of fashion in black and white.
Performances for the evening included a soulful performance by Alabama Shakes featuring lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard of their song “Don’t Wanna Fight” with Howard draped in a white gown and cape while band members all wore black, and a duet by the beautiful and talented Carrie Underwood donning a black one-piece covered with a simple white, flowing short chiffon dress contrasting with the simple white tee shirt and black jeans worn by Sam Hunt singing “Take Your Time” and “Heartbeat.” Andra Day and Ellie Goulding, again each gracing the stage dressed in either black or white, performed a medley of Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do” and Day’s “Rise Up.” Tori Kelly and James Bay performed a guitar duet with “Let It Go” and “Hollow.”
Lionel Richie was recognized as the 2016 MusiCares Performer of the Year and as a tribute to the famed musician, a medley of Richie’s iconic hits were performed by entertainers John Legend (performed “Easy”), Demi Lovato (performed “Hello”), Luke Bryan (“Penny Lover”), Meghan Trainor (“You Are”), and Tyrese Gibson (performed “Brick House”) and ultimately, Richie joined in for “All Night Long.” Again, the black and white theme carried on in this performance with Lovato wearing a white and black tuxedo, Trainor in a black lace dress, and the gentleman in black. A very fun and entertaining tribute.
Breaking from the black and white theme, Adele donned in a red gown, received a standing ovation for her performance of “All I Ask” after some mic and piano problems. All was forgiven as everyone knows what a fantastic performer she is! Little Big Town performed their winning song “Girl Crush” and Gwen Stefani introduced her new music video “Make Me Like You” to the world.
The night was full of tributes – the Eagles’ played a respectful tribute to Glenn Frey with “Take It Easy,” Bonnie Raitt joined Chris Stapleton for a riveting tribute to B.B. King with “The Thrill is Gone,” while Lady GaGa, dressed in Bowie style, performed a six minute plus performance of ten of David Bowie’s iconic hits including “Space Oddity,” “Changes,” “Ziggy Stardust,” “Suffragette City” and “Under Pressure.”
There were so many more performances for the evening from Alice Cooper’s Hollywood Vampires made of up Joe Perry and Johnny Depp, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Bieber and a live broadcast of a scene from the hit broadway show Alexander Hamilton – just to name a few. There will be plenty of discussions at the water cooler today on the night’s varied performances.
Among some more great moments came from winners of the night:
Taylor Swift for Album of the Year for 1989. During her acceptance speech, Swift of course thanked her fans stating, “Thank you to the fans for the past 10 years” (which I think is great). She then became more serious and continued on in what some say is in response to her ongoing conflict with Kanye West and his most recent derogatory reference to Swift in his new song “Famous.” Swift said, “As the first woman to win album of the year at the Grammys twice, I want to say to all the young women out there: there are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame.” She further went on to say, “But if you just focus on the work and you don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you’re going, you’ll look around and you’ll know it was you and the people who love you who put you there and that will be the greatest feeling in the world.” Well said, Taylor!
Meghan Trainor accepted the Best New Artist Grammy with a tearful speech in which she thanked her parents and said “I’m going backstage to cry now.” Brittany Howard recalled starting the band in high school just for fun never dreaming of winning a Grammy! They brought home awards for Best Alternative Music Album for Sound & Color, Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance for “Don’t Wanna Fight,”
These are the memories that make history in music.
Record of the Year went to Uptown Funk from Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars, Song of the Year went to “Thinking Out Loud” from Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge, Pop Solo Performance went to Ed Sheeran “Thinking Out Loud.” Pop Duo/Group Performance went to “Uptown Funk” from Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars, Traditional Pop Vocal Album went to The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kearn from Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap, Dance Recording goes to “Where Are U Now” from Diplo and Skrillex with Justin Bieber, Dance Electronic Album went to Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack U from Skrillex and Diplo, Rock Performance went to “Don’t Wanna Fight” from Alabama Shakes, Metal Performance goes to “Cirice” from Ghost, Rock Album goes to Drones from Muse, Alternative Music Album went to Sound and Color from Alabama Shakes, Country Solo Performance went to “Traveller” from Chris Stapleton, Country Duo/Group Performance went to “Girl Crush” from Little Big Town, Musical Theater Album went to Hamilton , Urban Contemporary Album went to Beauty Behind the Madness from The Weekend, and Rap Performance went to “Alright” from Kendrick Lamar.
There are many more to name who have won, this is only a few. All are talented and what a great night of music and celebration the Grammy’s are. Pitbull gave a fantastic ending to the night with a performance of “Taxi.” This is what the Grammy’s are supposed to be like, a night of wonderful performances. Great show this year!
For a complete list of winners, behind-the-scenes video, and highlights, check out the Grammy website HERE.