The Grammys: Saying Goodbye

Image via WikipediaThe 54th Grammy Awards had already been marked by the sudden death of Whitney Houston when the show went on from Los Angeles' Staples Center Sunday night.  Host LL Cool J began the CBS telecast with a prayer, followed by a video tribute to Houston, who won six Grammys during her career.  Later in the show, Jennifer Hudson performed Houston's classic "I Will Always Love You".

Most of the rest of the ceremony was in tribute mode, a reminder of how much music had lost in the past year and will lose in the future.  Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed, but without Clarence Clemons.  Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt saluted Etta James with "Sunday Kind of Love".  The Beach Boys marked their 50th year as a band with the help of Maroon 5.  Glen Campbell, recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, gamely got through his own tribute with the help of The Band Perry and his backup band.  Tony Bennett got a Grammy for his duets CD, which included a song he did with Amy Winehouse.  The only legendary performer who had any kind of spirit on stage was Paul McCartney.

Of course, there was also the business of handing out awards, which seem to be fewer and fewer every year as the Grammy telecast emphasizes performances.  Adele, to no one's surprise, took home six trophies.  That includes Song of the Year and Record of the Year for "Rolling In The Deep", and Album of the Year for "21". 

Adele also performed for the first time since throat surgery forced her off the stage last fall.  The song was "Rolling In The Deep" which, like "21", dominated the record charts last year.  The more you listen to "Deep", the more you think of another song in the "woman scorned" category:  Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know".  Only less profane and sexually explicit.

One surprise winner was Bon Iver as Best New Artist.  He was supposed to perform at the ceremony, but backed out when Grammy officials tried to pair him with another artist.  He noted in his acceptance speech how "uncomfortable" he was about receiving the award.

For three and a half hours Sunday night, the Grammys were like watching a televised wake with occasional bits of weirdness from Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj and Foo Fighters.  It reminds us that while music may be eternal, the people who make the music are not.  Enjoy them now while they're still with us.