Grammy Awards 50th Anniversary Edition
This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Grammy Awards to air Sunday, February 10, 8pm et/pt on CBS. With an abundance of moments, it's so hard to choose which one to share. Here, an Aretha Franklin and Luciano Pavarotti story that stands out in our memory.
Aretha Franklin
It was Grammy night, 1998. Luciano Pavarotti was scheduled to perform "Nessun Dorma" at Radio City where he was being honored with a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement. Twenty-five minutes before his performance, the maestro was in a state of panic; he knew he could not go on stage; he had been stricken with laryngitis. Aretha Franklin agreed to step in with one stipulation: all the air conditioning must be turned off. True to form, Aretha--a 17-time Grammy Award winner--performed a rendition of "Nessun Dorma" that was so electrifying it moved Pavarotti to tears and led to one of the greatest ovations I've ever heard. This marked one of the most memorable moments in Grammy history.
Buy: Amazon.com
Genre: Classic Performance
Artist: Aretha Franklin
Song: Nessun Dorma
Album: Jewels In The Crown: Duets With The Queen Of Soul
Ultimate Grammy Collection: Classic Country
Collection includes: Roger Miller, Jeannie C. Riley, Tammy Wynette, Johnny Cash, Lynn Anderson, Ray Price, Jerry Reed, Donna Fargo, Crystal Gayle, Kenny Rogers, The Charlie Daniels Band, George Jones, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.
Buy: Amazon.com
Genre: Country
Artist: Roger Miller
Song: King Of The Road
YouTube: Clip from The Johnny Cash Show -- Roger Miller & Johnny Cash
Ultimate Grammy Collection: Contemporary Rock
Collection includes: Living Colour, Melissa Etheridge, Soul Asylum, Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, Blues Traveler, Tracy Chapman, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Chemical Brothers, Fiona Apple, Lenny Kravitz, Coldplay, Dave Matthews, The White Stripes, Evanescence and Green Day.
Buy: Amazon.com
Genre: Rock
Artist: The White Stripes
Song: Seven Army Nation
YouTube: The White Stripes - Grammy Awards
Ultimate Grammy Collection: Classic R&B
Collection includes: Aretha Franklin, Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, The Isley Brothers, Ike & Tina Turner, Bill Withers, Billy Paul, The Temptations, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Natalie Cole, The Emotions, Donna Summer, Earth, Wind & Fire, Marvin Gay, Rufus & Chaka Khan and The Commodores.
Buy: Amazon.com
Genre: R&B
Artist: The Temptations
Song: Papa Was A Rolling Stone
YouTube: The Temptations
Ultimate Grammy Collection: Classic Pop
Collection includes: Petula Clark, The Mamas & The Papas, Jose Feliciano, Harry Nilsson, The 5th Dimension, Dionne Warwick, Captain & Tennille, Janis Ian, Bee Gees, The Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins, Toto, Tina Turner, Phil Collins, Steve Winwood and Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes.
Buy: Amazon.com
Genre: Pop
Artist: The Mamas & The Papas
Song: Monday Monday
YouTube: The Mamas & The Papas
Tracy Bonham
Speaking of the Grammys, two-time nominee and classically trained violinist and singer Tracy Bonham is currently playing Wednesday Nights at The Living Room in NYC through February 6th. Having had the great pleasure of working with her, she does not disappoint. Download "Something Beautiful" and go see her show.
Buy: iTunes
Genre: Rock
Artist: Tracy Bonham
Song: Something Beautiful
Producer: Tracy Bonham, Gregg Collins & Joey Waronker
Album: Blink The Brightest
Visit: TracyBonham.com
MusiCares Charity
As a tribute to 50 years of Grammys, why not donate to MusiCares, a cause close to the hearts of musicians. Established in 1989 by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for musicians in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community.
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