FOR MUSIC’S STARS, IT’S TIME TO SHINE
Adele had us at ‘Hello,’ Chance the Rapper has ‘No Problem,’ and the party goes on
Sunday was music’s day in the spotlight, with the 59th Grammy Awards honoring the best in music from folk to pop. The party started early, with the first trophies given out during the afternoon. Later, the biggest names hit the red carpet and later, the stage at the ceremony — hosted by James Corden — broadcast live from Staples Center in Los Angeles. Some early highlights: 11:39: Adele picks up the award for Album of the Year for 25. Minutes earlier, she accepted the award for Record of the Year for
Hello. With that, the show is over. 11:23: John Legend and Cynthia Erivo duet on the Beach Boys’
God Only Knows for the Grammys “In Memoriam” segment. 11:20: Backstage, Maren Morris is still basking in her Grammy win: “I’m still processing, but it feels amazing. To walk away with this is really validating.” 11:09: Chance the Rapper joins gospel musicians Kirk Franklin and Tamela Mann for a choirdriven medley of How Great and All We Got. 11:06: Pentatonix channels the Jackson 5 for ABC. 10:52: The Prince tribute kicks off with The Time getting the crowd on its feet with Jungle Love and The Bird, then Bruno Mars, clad in full purple Prince regalia, takes over with Let’s Go Crazy. 10:39: A Tribe Called Quest unleashes a politically charged performance with Busta Rhymes and Anderson .Paak. 10:37: Adele bests Beyoncé for song of the year and wins for Hel
lo, which she calls “my favorite song I’ve ever done.” 10:24: Millennials in the crowd get a lesson in ’70s disco with an all-star tribute to the Bee Gees. 10:13: Sturgill Simpson brings a brassy gospel touch to his tune
All Around You with the help of the Dap-Kings. 10:07: Metallica joins a headbanging Lady Gaga for a rendition of Moth Into Flame. 10:04: Chance the Rapper makes it three-for-three, winning best rap album for Coloring Book. “I didn’t think we were going to get this one so I don’t have anything to say this time,” he says. 9:50: The Grammys pay tribute to George Michael with Adele doing a slowed-down arrangement of Fastlove. After a snafu, Adele stops the performance and starts again to get it right: “I’m sorry, I can’t mess this up for him.” 9:45: Maren Morris joins Alicia Keys on a performance of Once. 9:36: Beyoncé’s Lemonade is awarded best urban contempo- rary album. The singer says “My intention for the film and album was to create a body of work that would give a voice to our pain, our struggles, our darkness and our history (and) to confront issues that make us uncomfortable.” 9:33: Ace blues men William Bell and Gary Clark Jr. share the stage for a cover of Albert King ’s Born Under a Bad Sign. 9:25: Little Big Town does an a cappella Teenage Dream to present Katy Perry, who performs Chained to the Rhythm with dancers and a fence that explodes and forms a large wall with an unsub- tle “We the People” message. 9:16: Bruno Mars arrives for That’s What I Like. 9:13: James Corden breaks out a faux car for “Cardboard Karaoke.” 9:11: Best country solo performance goes to rookie Maren Morris and My Church. 8:54: Beyoncé’s mom introduces her. The pregnant singer looks shimmering and regal for Love
Drought and Sandcastles. 8:52: Lukas Graham and Kelsea Ballerini perform a mashup of their hits 7 Years and Peter Pan. 8:44: Best rock song goes to David Bowie’s Blackstar. That makes five total posthumous Grammys for the legend. 8:38: Corden channels Twenty One Pilots — he’s in his underwear — to introduce Ed Sheeran. 8:31: Twenty One Pilots wins best pop duo/group and come up without their pants, the result of a promise made years ago. 8:25: John Travolta comes out bedecked in bling but can’t seem to read the Teleprompter. He introduces country stars Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood doing the lively duet The Fighter. 8:16: Paris Jackson introduces The Weeknd, who performs with Daft Punk. 8:13: Chance the Rapper is named best new artist — his second Grammy of the day. 8:06: Corden comes out for hosting duties but gets “stuck” and then falls down a number of steps. “This is a disaster! What has happened, people?” Corden says, beginning an epic opening rap that doesn’t take long before tapping into the political climate: “With President Trump, we don’t know what comes next.” 8:00: Adele kicks off very simply by belt
ing her big hit Hello.