Adele sweeps top awards.
British singer restarts tribute, wins 5 awards
LOS ANGELES - Adele, who had trouble with her live performance at last year’s Grammy Awards, asked to restart her tribute to George Michael on Sunday at the Grammys, telling the audience: “I can’t mess this up for him.”
She stopped and used an expletive after singing some of a new arrangement of Michael’s “Fastlove,” as videos and photos of Michael played in the background. She re-sang the song and earned applause and support from the crowd at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, though Adele was teary eyed.
Adele apologized onstage again for the technical goof when accepting song of the year for “Hello,” saying she really loved Michael. At last year’s show, the British singer had a hiccup after a microphone inside a piano fell onto the instrument’s strings.
Michael died on Christmas Day. Bruno Mars and The Time performed a tribute to Prince, who also died last year. And Al Jarreau’s passing Sunday also was recognized on the show.
Adele was still a big winner with five honors, including album of the year, record of the year, best pop vocal album and pop solo performance.
Wauwatosa native Mike Maher, trumpet player and co-founder of jazz fusion group Snarky Puppy, picked up his third Grammy Award with the band Sunday.
The group won Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for last year’s “Culcha Vulcha.” It was first nominated in 2014 for Best R&B Performance and last year for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, winning both times.
Another big winner with Wisconsin ties was Chance The Rapper’s “Coloring Book,” awarded Best Rap Album. Milwaukee native Grace Weber co-wrote the opening song, “All We Got,” and sang backing vocals.
Until Adele’s abrupt restart, Beyonce was the talk of the show. In glittery gown, gilded crown and gold choker, the pregnant singer took the Grammy stage in a lengthy performance of two songs from her critically acclaimed album “Lemonade.” She was introduced by her mother and former stylist, Tina Knowles: “Ladies and gentlemen, with my mother’s pride, my daughter, Beyonce.”
Beyonce sang on top of a long table, even leaning back on a chair while singing “Love Drought.” She later sang “Sandcastles” while sitting in a chair that tilted alarmingly backward, hitting high notes.
She earned a loud applause from the audience, including daughter Blue Ivy and husband Jay Z. Beyonce won best music video (“Formation”) and urban contemporary album (“Lemonade”).
David Bowie, who died last year from cancer, won all four awards he was nominated for. He won three in the pre-telecast, and was awarded best rock song for “Blackstar” during the live show.
“Blackstar,” his final album released days after he died, also won best alternative music album, rock performance and engineered album, non-classical (Bowie is listed as one of the engineers on “Blackstar.”)
Chance the Rapper won the first award in the live telecast for best new artist.
Twenty one pilots won best pop duo/group performance for the hit “Stressed Out.”