Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli to perform together for Haiti relief at Grammy Awards
Mary J. Blige, left, and Andrea Bocelli (Associated Press photos)
Nine-time Grammy winner Mary J. Blige and world-renowned pop tenor Andrea Bocelli will join forces and perform together in a special fundraising segment for Haiti relief on Sunday’s 52nd Annaul Grammy Awards.
The show will broadcast live from Staples Center in Los Angeles at 7 p.m. Sunday on CBS. This once-in-a-lifetime performance (audio and video) of the Simon & Garfunkel classic, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” will be made available for download at iTunes following the telecast with all proceeds benefiting the Red Cross’ ongoing earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” receiving Grammy Awards for record of the year, album of the year and song of the year, according to a news release. The song should provide a moving tribute to survivors of the tragic events in Haiti.
Current Grammy nominee Mary J. Blige is up for best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals for “IfULeave” (with Musiq Soulchild).
As previously announced, all five album of the year nominees are set to perform on the Grammys: Beyoncé, the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, the Dave Matthews Band and Taylor Swift. Other performers and nominees include Bon Jovi, Green Day, Lady Antebellum, Maxwell, P!nk and the Zac Brown Band. Presenters include actress Kristen Bell, pop/R&B singer Justin Bieber, actor Jeff Bridges, pop singer and actress Miley Cyrus, actor Josh Duhamel, pop sensation the Jonas Brothers, nine-time Grammy winner Norah Jones, pop singer/songwriter Ke$ha, two-time Grammy winner LL COOL J, Grammy winner and three-time Latin Grammy winner Ricky Martin, 10-time Grammy and three-time Latin Grammy winner Carlos Santana, and nine-time Grammy winner Ringo Starr.
In addition, Checotah native Carrie Underwood and fellow Grammy winners Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson and Usher will mingle their distinctive voices with the voice of Michael Jackson in a special 3-D tribute to Jackson during Sunday’s awards show. The centerpiece of the tribute will be the debut of the 3-D mini-movie to Jackson’s “Earth Song.” Don’t forget to pick up your free 3-D Grammy glasses at Target by showtime Sunday. (My husband picked up a few pairs for our family on Wednesday.)
As part of Bon Jovi’s Grammy performance, fans have an opportunity to decide which Bon Jovi hit the band will perform thanks to a “You Pick It, They Play It!” special segment. Viewers can log on to www.cbs.com/grammys and vote for one of three favorite Bon Jovi songs—”Always,” “It’s My Life,” “Livin’ on a Prayer”—to decide which hit the band will perform as part of their segment. The final phase of voting will continue until Bon Jovi’s performance on Sunday There is no registration to vote, and fans may vote as often as they wish. Additionally, a 30-second clip of each song may also be viewed on the Web site.
For more information on the Grammys, www.cbs.com/specials/grammys/.
-BAM
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