Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond’s emotional duet of “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” was one of the show’s biggest moments in the 1980s. (Photo property of the Associated Press)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
The Grammys are tomorrow night!
This year, a diverse group of artists ranging from current chart-toppers such as Katy Perry, Kanye West, Sam Smith and Jessie J to music legends such as Madonna, Sir Tom Jones and Sir Paul McCartney will be taking the Staples Center stage.
As host LL Cool J gets closer to deliver his opening remarks, Jake’s Take is paying tribute to its favorite Grammy Moments.
Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond (1980): “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”
Eight years before I was born, the two music legends took the Shrine Auditorium by storm with their duet. It marked the first time that both Ms. Streisand and Mr. Diamond performed the track that the “Hello Again” singer penned with the EGOT icon’s longtime collaborators: Alan and Marilyn Bergman.
Michael Jackson’s 1988 Grammy performance showcased high octane vocals, his amazing dance moves and a gospel choir. (Photo property of the Associated Press)
Michael Jackson (1988): “The Way You Make Me Feel”/”Man In The Mirror”
While he was robbed of five Grammys for his work on BAD, the King of Pop delivered the greatest show-stopping numbers in the Recording Academy’s history! From his pelvic thrusts and smooth moves that he showcased in “The Way You Make Me Feel” to his iconic vocal range that he highlighted in “Man in the Mirror,” Michael Jackson set the bar so high that no other pop performer has ever touched it.
Billy Joel (1990): “We Didn’t Start The Fire”
The five-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter incorporated hundreds of media pieces for his performance of “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” This marked the first time that an artist incorporated media pieces into their Grammy performances.
Fleetwood Mac (1998): “Rhiannon”/”Go Your Own Way”/”Don’t Stop”
During the height of The Dance era of Fleetwood Mac, the Rumours line-up (Lindsey Buckingham, John & Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks) delivered an amazing six-minute medley that not only highlighted the group’s biggest hits, but also transported fans back to the late 1970s!
Aretha Franklin’s “Nessun Dorma” remains one of the best Grammy moments of all-time! (Photo property of the AP’s Mark Lennihan)
Aretha Franklin (1998): “Nessun Dorma”
On that same night, Aretha Franklin delivered one of her greatest performances in her multi-decade career! Filling in at last-minute for friend Luciano Pavarotti, the Queen of Soul surprised audiences with her high-octane cover of one of the opera’s difficult arias and Pavarotti’s signature song: “Nessun Dorma.” Millions of viewers around the world were enchanted by her vocal register and stood up in delight when she sang her final triumphant note.
Whitney Houston (2000): “I Learned From The Best”
Sadly, the 2000 Grammy Awards were the last time that Whitney Houston performed at the prestigious music ceremony. On a show that featured performances from then-young guns Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and TLC, “The Voice” gave an incredible performance that showcased why she is always “The Queen of the (Grammy) Night.”
Elton John and Eminem’s emotionally charged “Stan” remains one of the best performances of the 2000s. (Photo by Getty Images)
Eminem & Elton John (2001): “Stan”
Slim Shady remains one of the most controversial rappers of all-time! Several groups included GLAAD protested Eminem’s presence at the 2001 Grammys, because of the rapper’s known homophobia. However, he made magic on the stage with celebrated music legend and future mentor, Sir Elton John, as they tackled Slim Shady’s rap about a obsessive-stalkerish fan.
Melissa Etheridge feat. Joss Stone (2005): “Piece of My Heart”
My fellow Kansan, Melissa Etheridge, went through a difficult breast cancer battle in the mid-2000s. However, she made her triumphant return to the Grammy stage when she performed a raw cover of her idol, Janis Joplin’s signature song: “Piece of My Heart.” That scream near the end of the performance was a battle cry that showed that she was a fighter!
Beyoncé and Tina Turner school the audience with their performance of “Proud Mary.” (Photo property of Getty Images’ Kevin Winter)
Beyoncé & Tina Turner (2008): “Proud Mary”
For the Grammys’ 50th anniversary, the show’s producers paired my generation’s greatest performer, Beyoncé, with her hero and Queen of Rock and Roll: Tina Turner! The two entertainers delivered one of the most memorable (and talked-about) performances of the 2000s when they tackled the oldest diva of them all: “Proud Mary.”
Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood & Smokey Robinson (2010): “Earth Song”
The 2010 Grammy Awards paid homage to the King of Pop in a huge way! As 3-D footage from Michael Jackson’s This Is It played in the background, five of the most remarkable voices in the music industry came together to perform “Earth Song” with Jackson’s vocals on a backing track. I still get chills from watching this epic performance!
Adele (2012): “Rolling in the Deep”
Adele was crowned Queen of the Grammys when she won six Grammy awards including both the prestigious Record of the Year and Album of the Year categories. However, her performance of “Rolling in the Deep” brought the crowd to their feet, as she proved that voice alone could triumph over flash and provocative choreography.
Daft Punk reunited with “Get Lucky” collaborators Pharrell and Nile Rodgers and recruited Stevie Wonder to produce an epic Grammy moment. (Photo property of The Recording Academy & CBS)
Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams, Nile Rodgers & Stevie Wonder (2014): “Get Lucky”
Last year, the best performance of the night belonged to this excellent quartet! Between Pharrell and Stevie Wonder’s superb vocals, Nile Rodgers’s impeccable guitar grooves and Daft Punk’s amazing EDM beats, the performance blended multiple decades of music together in one epic medley! In addition, seeing the entire audience made up of music veterans and Top 40 mainstays dance put a smile to my face!
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