While the Grammys telecast didn’t go live until 8 p.m. ET on Sunday night (Feb. 12), the Billboard team was on the scene at L.A.’s Staples Center long before then, from setting up our live pre-show at the Grammy museum to covering the five-hour-long red carpet to the Grammys Premiere Ceremony, where nearly 70 awards were handed out.
But don’t worry, you don’t have to miss a thing. Below, everything you might have missed if you were just tuning in to CBS:
12:40 p.m. PT: The festivities officially kick off when Grammys Premiere Ceremony host Margaret Cho hits the stage going full Diana Ross in a slinky silver dress and full head of luxurious dark curls — although Cho says she’s channeling frequent best comedy album nemesis “Weird Al” Yankovic. “I think I’m gonna win with his hair,” she jokes.
12:45 p.m.: The first Grammy goes to… The Color Purple for best musical theater album.
12:59 p.m.: We have our first double-winner of the night: Quincy Jones-managed singer/composer Jacob Collier takes home best arrangement, instrumental or a cappella, as well as best arrangement, instruments and vocals.
1:19 p.m.: Premiere Ceremony presenter René Marie takes a moment onstage to acknowledge the death of legendary jazz singer Al Jarreau earlier Sunday (Feb. 12).
1:28 p.m.: Before she hits the stage to perform during the “in memoriam” tribute with John Legend, Cynthia Erivo came backstage to talk to reporters after winning best musical theater album for The Color Purple. “To be here for the first time and performing for the first time and winning a Grammy is incredible!”
1:38 p.m.: Backstage, producer Kevin Killen marvels at the fact that David Bowie just won his first musical Grammy on Sunday night, for best engineered album, non-classical. “It’s kind of startling that it’s taken that long for an artist who’s been so magnificent in his career,” he tells reporters.
2:07 p.m.: Daya takes the stage to accept best dance recording for “Don’t Let Me Down” on behalf of The Chainsmokers. “This is my first win, and it’s not a bad place to be,” a clearly overwhelmed Daya says.
2:18 p.m.: Two of the artists behind Beyoncé‘s epic “Formation” video are asked by reporters backstage about a bad day on the video set. The perfect answer? “There’s never a bad day with Beyoncé.”
2:28 p.m.: Rory Feek takes the stage to accept best roots gospel album for Joey + Rory‘s Hymns. Before Joey died last year, she told her husband: “Remember: If we win, I’ll know before you do.”
2:33 p.m.: Sturgill Simpson begins his Grammy night on the right foot by winning best country album for A Sailor’s Guide to Earth (which is nominated later in the evening for album of the year). “Like six years ago I was in Utah working on a railroad, and my wife made me quit that job to move to Nashville,” he says onstage. “So thanks to her.”
2:43 p.m.: Jesse & Joy, accepting best Latin pop album for Un Besito Mas, take an opportunity to shout out their Mexican-American heritage. “This goes out to all the Hispanics in this country, to every minority group, we are with you,” Joy says. “We stand with you!”
Hi @Daya —-#GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/gLPSKOy6bx
— billboard (@billboard) February 12, 2017
3:15 p.m.: Chance the Rapper takes home his first-ever Grammy — best rap performance for “No Problem” featuring Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz — appropriately wearing a hoodie emblazoned with the words “Thank You.” “I love my family, I love God, and I love music,” Chance says. “Thank you guys.”
3:17 p.m.: Premiere Ceremony presenter Jimmy Jam offers to take Drake‘s Grammy for best rap/sung performance (for “Hotline Bling”) home for him. “He’s my neighbor, actually, so I’ll make sure to drop it by his house on my way home,” he quips. Drake takes home the next one too, best rap song for the same track, but songwriter Paul Jefferies keeps Jam from making two trips by accepting on his behalf.
3:30 p.m.: The Premiere Ceremony wraps up with Greg Kurstin winning producer of the year, non-classical, just after Adele took home two early awards: pop solo performance (“Hello”) and pop vocal album (25). Looks like it will be a good night for the British songstress. (Update: It was.)
.@DierksBentley and @ElleKingMusic are on the red carpet talking about their Grammy nomination! #GRAMMYs https://t.co/xaveHBXaZb pic.twitter.com/a0u0O9vdOI
— billboard (@billboard) February 12, 2017
.@Jasonderulo talks about his upcoming single with @Nickiminaj and @tydollasign #GRAMMYs https://t.co/26LlQhXg6p pic.twitter.com/604l6insvF
— billboard (@billboard) February 12, 2017
4:04 p.m.: Patton Oswalt didn’t shy away from politics when addressing reporters backstage after his best comedy album win for Talking for Clapping. “We’re living in a first-draft Monty Python sketch,” he said of how to find humor in the political climate. He also took aim at a Fox News reporter who bravely posed a question to the liberal comedian. “How are things in Mordor?” he quipped. “Are there any new rings being forged?”
4:26 p.m.: It took a dozen nominations, but Megadeth finally have a Grammy, thanks to their best metal performance win for “Dystopia.” “Good things come in 12s,” frontman Dave Mustaine figured about the wait. “The Disciples, a 12-pack of beer…”
When @Skrillex crashes @TheChainsmokers live stream — #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/BPtKgQupg9
— billboard (@billboard) February 13, 2017
Love is — @chancetherapper #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/9CTNkUxBRi
— billboard (@billboard) February 13, 2017
when rihanna beauty queen waves at you — #GRAMMYs was today/this week real life? pic.twitter.com/NNnZu3aK4S
— adelle. (@adelleplaton) February 13, 2017
5 p.m.: The show kicks off with utter silence in the backstage press room to hear the opening piano strains of Adele’s “Hello.”
5:12 p.m.: Chance the Rapper wins for best new artist and the press room breaks out in applause.
5:37 p.m.: 21 Pilots dropping their pants to accept best pop/duo performance for “Stressed Out” draws the most uproarious reaction from the Staples Center crowd so far.
5:57 p.m.: The audience is transfixed by Beyoncé’s impressionist poetry and fantastical Cirque Du Soleil-like choreography
6:11 p.m.: When Maren Morris wins best country solo performance and shouts out her experience at Grammy Camp as a kid, the Recording Academy employees backstage all cheer.
6:46 p.m.: Morris gives a breakout performance of her song “Once,” keeping up with Alicia Keys and at times even surpassing her duet partner. The crowd is hooting and clapping through the full performance.
6:49 p.m.: Adele starts her George Michael tribute only to stop it mid-song. “Wow, I f—ed up. I can’t do it like that,” she says before asking to start again.
6:55 p.m.: Crowd gives Adele a standing ovation and screams and clap effusively for the singer after her start-and-stop. She tears up for the late Michael, making for the electric moment of night.
7:10 p.m.: Lady Gaga‘s jump into the crowd as she rocks out with Metallica seems staged, since it was into a mini-crowd put together in a contrived pit. The audience seems a bit stunned by the performance, but some of the well-heeled crowd — especially men — are vocally appreciative.
7:37 p.m.: When Adele producer Greg Kurstin is cut off during the song of the year acceptance speech for “Hello,” the audience boos.
7:41 p.m.: Morris Day and The Time’s Prince tribute gets the whole crowd dancing — even Jay Z and Beyoncé.
7:57 p.m.: Maren Morris is ready to celebrate her very first Grammy win. “I’m going to have my first drink in two months. I fit into the dress, so now we can throw down,” she laughs backstage.
8 p.m.: When asked about making a political statement in her music, Solange — who won her first Grammy on Sunday for best R&B performance (“Cranes in the Sky”) — says just following Nina Simone‘s and Marvin Gaye‘s lead. “I just honor the greats,” she tells reporters. “We’re not doing nothing new!”
8:27 p.m.: “I hate the reason we’re here, but I’m glad we’re here,” Morris Day says backstage after his Prince tribute with The Time. The band really loved Bruno Mars‘ performance for The Purple One — “But we still kicked his ass — A-Z-Z,” Jimmy Jam quips.
9:11 p.m.: Adele graces the press room to talk about why George Michael was so meaningful to her, how “Hello” became an instant classic, and, of course, why Beyoncé deserved album of the year for Lemonade over her own 25. “What the f— does she have to do to win album of the year? That’s how I feel,” Adele tells reporters. Read the full story here.
–Additional reporting by Andy Gensler
