Spectacular, nostalgic Grammys

Miley Cyrus may shock but she still has a lot to learn about the intricacies of setting a show on fire with a stunning opening number. That was what Beyoncé did at the Grammy Awards last Jan. 27. It was Sunday evening in Los Angeles, where music’s biggest night was held at the Staples Center. Mrs. Carter with short wet hair and a skin-tight two-piece took off on an incredible bump and grind to the tune of her latest single Drunk In Love and left everybody breathless. She had some rap assist from the dapper Mr. Carter and they did look like Grammy royalty.

The 56th Grammys probably took its cue from Lorde’s sensational song Royals as it honored music’s biggest names from the Beatles to this young singer/songwriter from New Zealand. Lorde became one of the few artists to win in two major categories, Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year for her debut release. I hope that she will be spared from the Grammy curse. This was what befell other New Artist winners like Starland Vocal Band for Afternoon Delight, Paula Cole and others who were not heard from again.

Lorde was also in the running for New Artist of the Year but this went to the duo of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. They also won for Best Rap Performance and Rap Song for Thrift Shop and Rap Album for The Heist. The rappers tied with dance act Daft Punk for top winners of the night. The mask duo with producer Pharrell Williams won Album of the Year and Dance or Electronica Album for their Random Access Memories and Rap Performance and Rap Song for Get Lucky.

No, four Grammys were not enough incentive for Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homens Christo to show their faces. But they did dress up in sharp suits and prepared something that sounded like a laugh. They also figured in one of the evening’s best numbers.  This was a mash-up of their Get Lucky where they were joined by ’70s disco star Nile Rogers for Le Freak and Motown legend Stevie Wonder for Another Star.

Such star powered groupings have become a Grammy tradition and this year saw some of the biggest ever. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, recipients of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award as the Beatles, performed together for the first time on the Grammy stage joined by Dave Grohl and some Nirvana bandmates. Pianist Lang Lang was joined by Metallica. Robin Thicke sang with Chicago. Pink in daring gymnast mode came with Nate Ruess of fun, to do Just Give Me A Reason. Imagine Dragons paired with Kendrick La,ar.  

Some did it alone like Taylor Swift and John Legend both accompanying themselves on the grand piano. So did Katy Perry in a fiery horror setting with Dark Horse. Sadly though, this was not enough to take her off the list of artists who have never won a Grammy and she again went home empty-handed. Off the list with their first Grammy trophy in nearly 50 years is Led Zeppelin which won Best Rock Album for Celebration Day. 

I told you the Grammys was all nostalgic. Yoko Ono and son Sean were in the audience. So was Steven Tyler. McCartney, Grohl, Ozzy Osbourne, Herb Alpert, Cyndi Lauper all won trophies and Miranda Lambert and Billie Joe Armstrong sang the songs of the Everly Brothers. Blake Shelton got together with Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard and Lifetime Achievement honoree Kris Kristofferson. I also saw Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac and Peter Frampton, horrors! He was without his famous hair. Remember him with Baby I Love Your Ways? No wonder Ringo was talking about the Dinosaur Award.

Dare I put Madonna on this list? No escaping the age really but she and her son David looked cute in their matching suits. Besides it was really nice of her to agree to sing Same Love with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Mary Lambert while Queen Latifah was officiating in the very first-ever wedding ceremony held at the Grammys. Yes, 33 couples got married at the Grammy Awards show this morning. Why they did or why they were asked to do so, I do not know. Makes me wonder what kind of gimmick the producers will come up with next year.   

Here now are the winners of the 56th Grammy Awards. 

Record of the Year: Get Lucky by Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams

Album of the Year: Random Access Memories by Daft Punk

Song of the Year: Royals by Lorde

New Artist of the Year: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Pop Solo Performance: Royals by Lorde

Pop Duo or Group Performance: Get Lucky by Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams

Pop Instrumental Album: Steppin’ Out by Herb Alpert

Pop Vocal Album: Unorthodox Jukebox by Bruno Mars

Dance Recording: Clarity by Zedd featuring Foxes

Dance or Electronica Album:  Random Access by Daft Punk          

Traditional Pop Vocal Album: To Be Loved by Michael Bublé        

Rock Performance: Radioactive by Imagine Dragons

Metal Performance: God Is Dead by Black Sabbath

Rock Song: Cut Me Some Slack by Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Kris Novoselic, Pat Smear

Rock Album: Celebration Day by Led Zeppelin

Alternative Music Album: Modern Vampires Of The City by Vampire Weekend

R&B Performance: Something by Snarky Puppy with Lalah Hathaway

Traditional R&B Performance: Please Come Home by Gary Clarke, Jr.

R&B Song: Pusher Love Girl by Justin Timberlake

Urban Contemporary Album: Unapologetic by Rihanna

R&B Album: Girl On Fire by Alicia Keys

Rap Performance: Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Rap Song Collaboration: Holy Grail by Jay-Z featuring Justin Timberlake

Rap Song: Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Rap Album: The Heist by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Musical Theater Album: Kinky Boots

Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media: Sound City Real to Reel

Score Soundtrack for Visual Media: Skyfall

Song Written for Visual Media: Skyfall by Adele from Skyfall

Music Video: Suit & Tie by Justin

Best Music Film which used to be called the Long Form Music Video: Live Kisses by Paul McCartney