Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond’s emotional duet of “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” was a crowd pleaser at the 1980 Grammy Awards. (Photo property of the Associated Press)
By: Jacob Elyachar
Music’s biggest night is this Sunday!
The 2013 Grammy Awards will feature a star-studded line-up of performers that will rock the Staples Center.
Before Grammy host LL Cool J takes the STAPLES Center stage this Sunday, every music lover should try to watch these 25 performances that are some of the best moments in the history of the Grammy Awards.
Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond: “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” (1980)
In the late 1970s, each of these incredible vocalists recorded different covers of this classic song for their respective studio albums. However, it was not until the 1980 Grammy Awards where they performed the track together for the first time.
To watch this incredible Grammy moment, click here: http://youtu.be/wj10EzNKA2M
Phil Collins: “Sussudio” (1985)
The British singer-songwriter opened up the 28th Annual Grammy Awards with a high-octane performance of his hit: “Sussudio.”
Tina Turner’s performance of “What’s Love Got To Do With It” received a standing ovation. (Photo property of the Associated Press’ Nick Ut).
Tina Turner: “What’s Love Got to Do With It” (1985)
Tina Turner made one of the greatest comebacks in the recording industry in the 1980s. Her comeback album: Private Dancer was critically acclaimed and helped her win four Grammys at the 28th Annual Grammy Awards. But it was her performance of “What’s Love Got to Do With It” that cemented her place in Grammy history.
Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight & Burt Bacharach: “That’s What Friends Are For.” (1987)
“That’s What Friends Are For” was one of the biggest charity singles of the 1980s and raised over $3,000,000 for amFAR (the Foundation for AIDS Research). One of the highlights of the 29th Annual Grammy Awards was when Dionne, Stevie and Gladys delivered incomparable vocal performances while song co-writer Burt Bacharach accompanied them on the piano.
Michael Jackson’s 1988 Grammy performance showcased his high-octane vocal range, his amazing dance moves and a gospel choir. (Photo property of the Associated Press)
Michael Jackson: “The Way You Make Me Feel”/”Man in the Mirror” (1988)
The King of Pop delivered the best Grammy performance of the 1980s when the award show visited the Big Apple’s Radio City Music Hall. From his smooth dance moves to impressive vocal range, Michael Jackson dazzled the Grammy audience with his astonishing showmanship.
To watch this amazing tour-de-force performance, click here: http://youtu.be/BwLxJiPlsF0
Bette Midler: “Wind Beneath My Wings” (1990)
Bette Midler delivered a stunning cover of her Beaches hit when she took the Shrine Auditorium stage at the 32nd Grammy Awards. This is an incredible vocal performance and gave everyone goose bumps.
Paul McCartney Lifetime Achievement Award Tribute (1990)
The former Beatle and Wings member received an excellent tribute when he received his Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990. From an excellent introduction from Meryl Streep to unbelievable performances from Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder, this tribute was a pure delight to watch and it was a true highlight of the night.
To watch Meryl’s tribute and Ray’s performance of “Eleanor Rigby,” click here: http://youtu.be/h7uMHHnvfFA and to watch Stevie Wonder perform: “We Can Work It Out,” click here: http://youtu.be/C13LwYgbJ4E
Celine Dion: “My Heart Will Go On” (1998)
The 1998 Grammy Awards could be considered the best Grammys of the 1990s because it contained two great impromptu performances. Originally, Celine Dion was supposed to perform “Tell Him” with Barbra Streisand at the ceremony, but after an ailing Streisand dropped out, Celine, David Foster and the show’s producers decided that she would perform her monster hit: “My Heart Will Go On.”
Aretha Franklin’s “Nessun Dorma” remains one of the show’s greatest moments. (Photo property of the AP’s Mark Lennihan)
Aretha Franklin: “Nessun Dorma” (1998)
When opera icon Luciano Pavarotti fell in and dropped out of the show, the Grammy producers turned to the Queen of Soul and asked her to perform Pavarotti’s signature aria: “Nessun Dorma.” Aretha delivered the best performance of the 1990s that night and her performance remains one of the Grammys’ best moments.
I do not own the clips that were featured in this article, they belong to the Recording Academy.
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