Live-blog: 52nd Annual Grammy Awards
7 p.m.: Oh, boy, I get to use my sarcasm skills already: The Recording Academy has wisely decided to open the 2010 Grammy Awards with the freak show/hype machine that is Lady Gaga. YAY! She’s actually conservatively dressed for her as she sings “Poker Face” in her sparkly green alien outfit while a circus ringmaster declares the world is “goo goo for Gaga.” I’m personally just gagging over here at Casa McDonnell.
Lady Gaga (Associated Press file photo)
7:05: Just goes to show that the weirdest pretenders in the music business can find a talented, venerable kindred spirit willing to duet with them: Lady Gaga has emerged from a trip down a “rejection” bin to play piano and sing opposite Sir Elton John on his “Your Song.” At least she’s not lighting herself or those 88 keys on fire – yet. But Elton is changing his lyrics to pay tribute to praise Gaga. Again, gagging here. I’m not a Gaga fan, in case you couldn’t tell.
Stephen Colbert (AP file photo)
7:07: Stephen Colbert is here to save us all. He’s hilarious, and he doesn’t need green sequins to get people’s attention, since he actually has wit and style. He’s a nominee for the best comedy album category and he’s giving shout-outs to his fellow nominees Taylor Swift and Jay-Z. “We’re here to celebrate what I believe is our most precious right: The right of celebrities to congratulate themselves.” He’s saying winning a Grammy is the best honor a musician can get, after having a song covered by the cast of “Glee.” I love Colbert, with his hilarious hits on Adam Lambert, the Jonas Brothers, Susan Boyle, Katy Perry and more. “Enough with congratulating each other; let’s start giving each other awards!”
7:11: Colbert has pulled out an iPad – “Jay-Z did you not get one of these in your gift bag?” – to name the song of the year winner. Kings of Leon, who have Oklahoma ties, are among the competitors, but I’ll take anyone except Lady Gaga. Here are the noms:
Beyonce, “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”
Kings Of Leon, “Use Somebody”
Lady Gaga, “Poker Face”
Maxwell, “Pretty Wings”
Taylor Swift, “You Belong With Me”
Beyonce (AP file photo)
7:13: Winner: Beyonce, who comes in with a leading 10 nominations. Her three songwriting partners accepted the prize since Beyonce is getting ready for her upcoming performance. And these Grammy producers are tough – no insistent string music to get you to shut up if your speech runs long; they just switched off the mike. Harsh.
7:15: Jennifer Lopez, apparently fresh off her side gig as a high-dollar call girl, judging from that crazy, revealing, tight silver gown, is introducing Green Day and the cast of the upcoming Broadway musical “American Idiot,” based on the punk band’s rock opera. I actually think this will really work as a Broadway production and hope it does well. And Billie Armstrong and those Broadway songbirds are blending their voices and styles surprisingly well. I would have preferred to start the show this way, but again, not a Gaga fan.
7:25: Kristen Bell and Mr. Fergie Josh Duhamel are shamelessly promoting their new rom-com “When in Rome” – yeesh – and encouraging people to go online to www.cbs.com/grammys to vote for which of their three hits Bon Jovi will perform in the next hour of the show. Now, they’re announcing the nominees for best country album, since they’re so country. Here are the noms:
Zac Brown Band, The Foundation
George Strait, Twang
Taylor Swift, Fearless
Keith Urban, Defying Gravity
Lee Ann Womack, Call Me Crazy
Taylor Swift (AP file photo)
7:26: Winner: Taylor Swift. Expect to see Miss Swift often tonight; only Beyonce has more noms going in. Let’s hope Kanye West is wrapped in iron chains with duct tape over his mouth right now.
“This is my first time walking up those stairs to receive a Grammy on national television!” she exclaims. She’s thanking her label for letting her write all the songs on her album and hearkening back to her second-grade talent show, which honestly, isn’t that far a stroll backward on memory lane.
7:29: “The Mentalist” Simon Baker – looking retro cool in his Buddy Holly specs – is introducing Beyonce’s performance. She and an army of dancers/”Robo-cop” rejects are marching to the stage so she can croon “If I Were a Boy.” I love this song, and I’m perpetually amazed by Beyonce’s ability not only to dance in 6-inch heels but also to look gorgeous in any outfit, including one like that super-short dress that appears to have been crafted entirely from recycled vinyl car seats. Now, she’s transitioning into Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know.” I would love it if Alanis showed up to sing with her.
7:34: So, no Alanis appearance, but you gotta love Beyonce’s unbridled performance. She’s getting a standing O from the crowd.
7:39: Here comes Seal – and here comes the obligatory cut to his wife Heidi Klum. A three-time Grammy winner, Seal is there to announce Leonard Cohen has received a well-deserved lifetime achievement award from the academy. Quick moment of applause – and now it’s time to introduce Pink – or P!nk as she’s calling herself these days – who is coming out in a crazy-looking nun’s habit to croon “Glitter in the Air.” Or maybe it’s a hybrid between a nightgown and a prize fighter’s robe.
Pink (AP file)
7:42: Did all of these performers’ stylists go to the Lady Gaga school of fashion before the Grammys? Apparently, since Pink now has stripped down to what amounts to a sheer body stocking, some criss-crossed ribbons and pasties to twirl above the stage in a sling with a bunch of acrobats. Now, she’s getting doused in water so she can splash everyone as she spins around upside down from the ceiling. I feel like I’m watching a New Age interpretation of “Flashdance.” But the crowd is giving her standing O, and some of them quite frankly look stunned, so I guess it was pretty, um, awesome? interesting? to see live.
7:46: Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, dressed in a bright blue gown, and Keith Urban are there to tell the crowd that Loretta Lynn has won a lifetime achievement award. I wish some of these lifetime achievers could actually get some screentime, perhaps donated from Lady Gaga.
Miranda and Keith also are going to announce the best new artist award. Here are the varied options:
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings
Zac Brown Band
Zac Brown Band
7:48: Winner: Zac Brown Band. Could this be a very country night for the Grammys? The band is collaborating on its thanks, and there’s the “shut-up-and-go-away” music, which they’re really quick on the button with when Taylor Swift isn’t talking, it seems.
Zac Brown Band are scheduled to perform tonight with Oklahoma Tulsa Sound legend Leon Russell, and that ought to be just outstanding. Looking forward to that.
Black Eyed Peas (AP file)
7:54: Miley Cyrus takes the stage to introduce the always-flamboyant Black Eyed Peas’ performance of “I’m a Be,” which will feature video clips sent in from viewers. They certainly are employing their flair for the over-the-top: There’s masks, shiny black vinyl, robot dancers, silver sparkles, and neon lights. It’s a good thing their songs tend to be rather short, since I’m not sure what kind of effect long-term exposure to this much stimuli might do to the brain.
Lady Antebellum (AP file)
8:05: Hear the teenage girls scream: The Jonas Brothers are there to introduce fellow trio and “the harmonic convergence known as Lady Antebellum.” The country band, a personal fave, is performing its latest hit “Need You Now.” Compared to Pink and Black Eye Peas’ bombastic onstage stints, this is fairly low-key – they’re just singing and playing in very low lighting – and focused on the actual music. Gasp! I know, it’s so weird.
8:09: Juanes and Kaley Cuoco of “Big Bang Theory” – thank you CBS for another obligatory, self-serving network-promoting moment – are here to present the best comedy album. Here are the noms:
Back From The Dead
Spinal Tap
[The Label Industry/Artist2Market Distribution]
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift Of All!
Stephen Colbert
[Comedy Central Records]
Internet Leaks
“Weird Al” Yankovic
[Volcano]
My Weakness Is Strong
Patton Oswalt
[Degenerate/Warner Bros.]
Suckin’ It For The Holidays
Kathy Griffin
[Music With A Twist]
Tall, Dark & Chicano
George Lopez
[Comedy Central Records]
Stephen Colbert
8:12: Yay! Stephen Colbert wins and naturally starts his speech with a bit of irreverent humor: “It’s a Christmas album, so I guess I should thank Jesus Christ for having such a great birthday.” And his teenage daughter finally declares him cool. Awww …
8:17: “I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends” is playing, and here comes Ringo Starr and Norah Jones. Ringo is thanking Norah for being shorter than him, and they’re announcing that Bobby Darin has won a lifetime achievement award. A quick round of applause and a cut to Bobby’s son in the crowd is all he gets.
Now, on to the record of the year. The Grammys are living in now, people. Nominees:
Beyonce, “Halo”
The Black Eyed Peas, “I Gotta Feeling”
Kings Of Leon, “Use Somebody”
Lady Gaga, “Poker Face”
Taylor Swift, “You Belong With Me”
8:19: Winners: Kings of Leon. The Followill boys are too drunk to remember who they should thank, but they’re promising to buy everyone they forgot shots later.
8:21: “The most self-important actor of our generation,” Robert Downey Jr., brings his dry wit to the stage and promises to bring some dignity to the gauche proceedings. He’s introducing what at first glance appears to be an operatic trio, but it turns out to be Jamie Foxx performing his terrific hit “Blame It.”
Jamie Foxx (AP file)
8:23: Foxx is dressed like some kind of flamboyant general, and he’s ordering the crowd to its feet. And they’re all dancing and bobbing their heads and smiling, just having a great time. Can’t blame ‘em. And to bring a bit of 2009 Auto-tuning to the show, T-Pain is joining Jamie onstage. And here comes the perpetually sexy Keith Sweat. And Slash is here to play the guitar. It’s all a little much, particularly with the “November Rain” bit, but it sure is a lot of fun.
8:26: Justin Bieber and Ke$ha are onstage to remind people to vote for which song Bon Jovi will be performing momentarily. Little Justin – seriously, is this kid even into puberty yet? – can’t even get out the words – he’s saying Beyonce instead of Bon Jovi then adding “Sorry, Beyonce’s just always on mind. Sorry J.” I guess that’s yes to the puberty question. And I’m sure Jay-Z isn’t worried in the least.
8:32: Alice Cooper and the “voluptuous” (his word) Katy Perry are telling everyone that the late great Florence Greenberg is the winner of the Grammy trustees award. Now, they’re naming the best rock album winner. Here are the noms:
AC/DC, Black Ice
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood, Live At Madison Square Garden
Green Day, 21st Century Breakdown
Dave Matthews Band, Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King
U2, No Line On The Horizon
Green Day
Winner: Green Day. Billie Armstrong quickly runs through the thank yous and says “Now, I’m going to go have shots with Kings of Leon.” That would be a fun party.
8:35: Nashville session musician Harold Bradley gets a quick shout-out from presenter Chris O’Donnell – of the CBS show “NCIS: Los Angeles, of course! – as a trustee winner. He’s smiling from the crowd. And now Chris is introducing Zac Brown Band with special guest Oklahoma native Leon Russell and he’s giving Uncle Leon an appropriately respectful intro.
Leon Russell
8:36: The Zac Brown Band is starting with a great vocal performance to “America the Beautiful” before turning it over to Uncle Leon’s jazzy piano. Russell, who had surgery about two weeks ago for a brain-fluid leak, sounds terrific as he sings his “Dixie Lullaby” with backing from the best new artist winners. Zac Brown and Co. are letting the legend take the lead here, so kudos to them. And now, this medley is morphing to the Zac Brown hit “Chicken Fried.” I’m totally biased, but this is definitely a highlight of the show. It brings together talented artists who are performing in lights-out fashion with mutual respect without a lot of flash or an army of backup support. And it just warms my heart to hear and see Leon Russell doing so well, and I’m glad to see the crowd giving them a standing ovation. Great Grammy moment.
Taylor Swift (AP file)
8:46: Ryan Seacrest continues his TV dominance by introducing the “phenomenal” Taylor Swift, who already has won three Grammys tonight. She is dressed in a ruffly white blouse and black pants and she’s singing, appropriately enough, “Today Was a Fairytale.” She doesn’t have the best voice in country music, but she’s not afraid to put herself out there without all dancers and distractions. She never sounds great at these awards shows, I’ve noticed.
8:48: I hear the opening of “Rhiannon,” and Taylor is saying “it’s a fairy tale” to get to sing with one of her heroes, the incomparable Stevie Nicks. The Fleetwood Mac singer doesn’t have nearly the vocal powers she used to, but she’s still outsinging Taylor without batting an eyelash. But they seem to be enjoying themselves. Now, Stevie is grabbing her trademark tambourine and joining Taylor in singing her teenage hit “You Belong with Me.” It’s odd to hear Stevie singing this high-schooler’s lament, but it’s not as weird as Def Leppard performing “Love Story” with Miss Swift on “CMT Crossroads.” I guess when you’ve been a top-seller across genres for two years straight, you can get venerable performers to play along with you and your teenage odes.
8:52: Lionel Richie is quoting his good friend the late Michael Jackson, so it must be time for the much-hyped 3-D tribute to MJ. It’s time to grab those 3-D glasses. Ewww, old red-blue 3-D. Nice of the Grammys to use 3-D technology from the 1950s.
Michael Jackson (AP file)
8:54: The 3-D footage is starting, with popping images of waterfalls and a little girl blowing dandelion fluff. Oklahoma native Underwood and fellow previous Grammy winners Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson and Usher are coming out to sing along with Jackson. And they appear to pop off the screen along with the hummingbirds, whales and butterflies. It’s an interesting and strong combination of voices, and the song is well-suited for this kind of multi-performer treatment. The film is pretty enough, and there are some great old photos of MJ showing above it. But Jackson contributed so many great songs to the modern American pop songbook, and this just isn’t one of those iconic hits. Still, the audience is giving it a standing ovation, and it was appropriate that the Grammys pay tribute to Jackson after all the memorable Grammy moments he created.
9:00: Jackson’s kids Prince and Paris, along with their cousins, are coming onstage to accept the Michael Jackson Lifetime Achievement award. His son is thanking God, their grandparents, the fans, praising their dad for his charitable efforts and promising to continue their dad’s good works. His daughter haltingly says that their dad was supposed to perform at the Grammys this year after not being able to last year. “Thank you and we miss you, Daddy.”
9:03: Of course, a nice moment has to be followed by a crass one. Don’t forget that you can buy “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” on DVD now! Sigh.
9:08: Sheryl Crow is informing us that the industry last night honored Doug Morris, worldwide Chairman and CEO of Universal Music for winning the president’s merit award for industry icons.
Bon Jovi
And now she’s introducing, with some big impressive numbers, Bon Jovi, who are going to perform a medley of “We Weren’t Born to Follow,” for which they’re nominated for a Grammy tonight, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” and whatever song won the online voting, which is apparently still going on. Now that’s real-time entertainment.
9:11: Big-voiced Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles is joining the band on “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.” I think she probably makes everything better, at least anything that can be made better with a Georgia accent and a little sass.
9:14: Not surprisingly, Bon Jovi is gearing up to play the fan-voted “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Maybe it’s just my ’80s inner child talking, but it seems to me their new stuff is OK but their old songs are so much better. And again, Jennifer Nettles makes even “Livin’ on a Prayer” better.
9:16: Here’s an interesting combo: Placido Domingo and Mos Def. They’re joking that they should never have broken up and that they have some ideas to put together a Grammy-winning project for next year. They’re here to announce best rap sung collaboration. Kanye has multiple noms in this category, but I’m not sure if he’s allowed to go to any more awards shows.
Beyonce & Kanye West, “Ego”
Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo, “Knock You Down”
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West, “Run This Town”
The Lonely Island & T-Pain, “I’m On A Boat”
T.I. & Justin Timberlake, “Dead And Gone”
Jay-Z (AP file)
9:18: Winner: Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West, “Run This Town.” Jay-Z and Rihanna and a cute little boy in a tux (apparently, he’s Beyonce’s nephew) are taking the stage to accept the award. Apparently, Kanye has been blackballed. His collaborators are thanking him, but he’s nowhere to be seen.
While I’m relieved that we didn’t have to live through any more Kanye shenanigans, I can’t help but think of how much fun the speech would have been if Andy Samberg and T-Pain had won this category. That would have been hilarious. I was definitely in a boat on this category.
Mary J. Blige (AP file)
9:24: Haitian native Wyclef Jean is teaching the audience a bit of his native language. He’s assuring everyone that Haiti is strong and thanking Americans for their support for his earthquake-ravaged home country. After a shout-out to his wife, he’s introducing David Foster, Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli for a special performance of the classic “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” The song will be available after the show on iTunes with proceeds going to Haiti relief efforts. Again, it’s an intriguing combination of performers coming together on the Grammys for a performance that’s more about music than flash.
9:37: Recording Academy CEO Neil Portnow gets to make his speech for the night, with the usual back-patting, praise for music education and doomsday predictions about music piracy. Now, he’s introducing comedian Adam Sandler, who claims he borrowed his jacket from an usher backstage.
Dave Matthews Band
Sandler, in turn, is introducing Dave Matthews Band, mentioning the loss of founding member in 2008 of LeRoi Moore. They’re playing “You and Me” with help from an orchestra, backup singers and an extra horn section. It’s hard to believe this band is about to mark 20 years; they are just pretty terrific.
9:46: Ricky Martin and “Glee’s” Lea Michele are taking the stage, and Ricky’s a bit hyper trying to get the crowd into the show. They’re here to present best female vocal performance. Here are the options:
Adele, “Hometown Glory”
Beyonce, “Halo”
Katy Perry, “Hot N Cold”
Pink, “Sober”
Taylor Swift, “You Belong With Me”
Beyonce (AP file)
9:48: Winner: The always-amazing Beyonce. She’s thanking her husband and her fans; it’s rare to hear her talk about Jay-Z, so that’s cool. She’s definitely into the recycled look tonight; her gown looked like it was made from repurposed pop can tabs. She still looks amazing.
And honestly, they gave that award not a moment too soon. I had almost forgotten it was an awards show.
9:54: The always-attractive LL Cool J (another CBS star!) is on the stage, and he’s recognizing Honeyboy Edwards, another lifetime achievement award winner who gets a quick clap and quick glance as the industry’s appreciation for all his hard work. Now, he’s introducing smooth-voiced neo-soul singer Maxwell to sing “Pretty Wings.”
Maxwell dominated the R&B categories in the pre-TV part of the Grammys, to the detriment to Tulsa native Charlie Wilson. Wilson was nominated in two R&B categories, but alas, goes home without a gramophone.
9:59: Roberta Flack is joining Maxwell to add an extra level of vocal beauty to this performance. Again, nothing fancy as far as pyrotechnics or dance troupes go, just strong vocals as they mingle their voices to ask “Where Is the Love.”
Les Paul (AP file)
10: It’s time for the annual montage honoring those we’ve lost in the past year. There have been some amazing musicians/singers like Les Paul, Teddy Pendergrass, Stephen Bruton, Bob Bogle of The Ventures, that we lost this year, but as cliche as it sounds, they will live on through music. Thankfully, it’s been the only montage of the night thus far. Something to be grateful for as we enter what I sincerely hope is the last half-hour of this awards show.
10:03: Golden Globe winner and Oscar frontrunner for “Crazy Heart” Jeff Bridges is onstage to remind everyone of the incredible contributions of Les Paul. And he’s introducing Grammy-winning guitar god Jeff Beck, who will play the musical tribute to the great inventor and guitarist. How awesome is this? Big well-deserved applause from the audience for Beck and Imelda May’s great work on Paul’s favorite of his guitar masterworks, “How High the Moon.”
Drake
10:12: Cue the spaghetti Western music, Quentin Tarantino is onstage to recognize another lifetime achievement winner, Clark Terry. And that’s all you get, Mr. Terry. We’re moving on. And QT is jive talking himself silly, so he must be introducing a rap performance. Yep, it’s Drake with Eminem and Lil Wayne. And though I love QT’s movies I’m going to have to give his reference to this trio as three “glorious Basterds” a huge eye-roll. And since I just lost sound on my TV, I’m assuming CBS has just decided to hold the censor button down until this is all over.
10:25: John Legend and Carlos Santana take the stage to the tune of “Smooth,” with John noting that 10 years ago Santana had “the most ‘Supernatural’ Grammy night ever.” “Thank you John, it’s nice that a Legend like you remember,” Santana responds. Thank goodness it’s the last award of the night; I can’t take much more of this sort of horrific awards show patter. It wounds me.
Here are the nominees for album of the year:
Beyonce, I Am… Sasha Fierce
The Black Eyed Peas, The E.N.D.
Lady Gaga, The Fame
Dave Matthews Band, Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King
Taylor Swift, Fearless
Taylor Swift (AP file)
10:27: Winner: Yep, she can do no wrong: It’s Taylor Swift. She’s jumping up and down as she makes her way to the stage. “I just hope you know how much this means to me … that we get to take this back to Nashville,” she declares. She says this is the story that she’s going to be telling over and over again when she’s 80 years old and annoying her grandkids with, how she won album of the year in 2010. And she’s thanking her dad back home for telling her as a child she could do anything she wanted; in retrospect, considering her incredible dream-come-true powers, that was probably a dangerous message.
10:29: John Legend says “It’s been an amazing night; we’ll see you next year.” Take your word for it, John. It had some highlights, but mostly I’m just glad it’s over. And I’m really glad that Lady Gaga didn’t win anything that would make it necessary for me to describe her crazy, geometric silver outfit. Again, gag.
10:32: Stay with me here at BAM’s Blog, and I’ll post how the nominees with Oklahoma ties fared tonight. And check back tomorrow when I hope to post some photos of the Grammy hoopla.
-BAM
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Comments
Was that it for Leonard Cohen??? Lifetime Achievement Award!!! What no speech, performance or award presentation???
I’d rather know now so I can watch something else instead of sitting here in anticipation all night subjecting myself to all this crap-ola.
I wonder why Wayman Tisdale was not recognized when they honored those who died in the last year. He had Billboard #1 contemporary jazz album and a Grammy nomination.
Soonerfan, you make an excellent point. I’ll have rewatch the tribute and see if maybe I missed him the first time around. But I have the sinking feeling he was overlooked. If so, that’s just wrong.
-BAM
Ringo should be ashamed….Should have given more respect and attention to Bobby Darin rahter than Norah Jones. After, that is who was being honored. Asshole.
HEY CHANNEL 9 COULD YOUSTOP SCROLLING THE CLOSINGS!!! Seriously though it’s ruining the Grammys! Churches are closed and any Oklahoman that can’t get this information somewhere else should just move outta the state