The Recording Academy will pay tribute to two of the huge stars we lost in 2016 during Sunday night’s (Feb. 12) 2017 Grammy Awards, with planned homages to Prince and George Michael. The legends — who died on Apr. 21 and Dec. 25, respectively — will be remembered with “two unforgettable tribute segments” on the show, which airs live from Los Angeles at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS.
The Prince tribute will feature Bruno Mars performing with The Time, a source tells Billboard.
“George Michael and Prince were pop icons who showcased rare musical genius and otherworldly charisma,” Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy says in a statement. “While each possessed a distinct style and sound, they were both adored by audiences worldwide. The passings of two such creative innovators were a huge loss for the creative community; The Recording Academy is humbled to pay homage to their tremendous legacies on the GRAMMY stage.”
It’s true! A tribute to music icon and seven-time GRAMMY winner Prince will take place at the #GRAMMYs Feb. 12 on @CBS! pic.twitter.com/aSYOK8V19H
— Recording Academy (@RecordingAcad) February 8, 2017
It’s true! A tribute to music icon and seven-time GRAMMY winner Prince will take place at the #GRAMMYs Feb. 12 on @CBS! pic.twitter.com/aSYOK8V19H
— Recording Academy (@RecordingAcad) February 8, 2017
Performers for the tributes have not yet been announced. The pair were among a long list of pioneering artists who passed in 2016, which also included Leonard Cohen, Sharon Jones, Leon Russell, Merle Haggard, Phife Dawg and Frank Sinatra Jr., among others.
Country-pop singer Kelsea Ballerini and Danish band Lukas Graham will make their Grammy stage debuts at the 59th annual ceremony, while British actor, singer and songwriter Cynthia Erivo will team up with John Legend in a previously announced tribute to those from the music community we lost in the past year. It was unknown at press time if Legend would be part of the Prince/Michael segments. Meanwhile, Demi Lovato, Andra Day and Tori Kelly will join forces with Little Big Town for a special collaborative performance celebrating the music of the Bee Gees and the 40th anniversary of Saturday Night Fever.
The show’s performance roster also includes Lady Gaga with Metallica, Beyonce, Katy Perry, The Weeknd, Daft Punk, Adele, Metallica, Carrie Underwood, Bruno Mars, Keith Urban, Anderson .Paak, A Tribe Called Quest and many others. The Grammy Awards will take place Feb. 12 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles with host James Corden. It will be broadcast live at 8 p.m. EST on CBS.
