The Police to launch Grammy gala
One of the most highly anticipated rock band reunions will take place at the Grammy Awards gala Sunday night as the three members of the Police officially take the stage together for the first time in more than 20 years.
Singer Sting and his bandmates, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, all went their separate ways after their Synchronicity tour in 1984.
The Police had a string of hits from the late 1970s to the early 1980s such as Roxanne, Don’t Stand So Close to Me, Every Breath You Take and Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.
After their breakup the band did perform together on the occasion of their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. The trio is expected to announce a summer tour on Monday.
Other performers slated to perform for the Grammys ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles include Justin Timberlake, the Dixie Chicks, James Blunt, Shakira, John Legend, BeyoncÈ, Gnarls Barkley and Lionel Richie.
R&B star Mary J. Blige leads the field with eight nominations, while the Red Hot Chili Peppers follow with six. A raft of other music acts have five nods each: James Blunt, the Dixie Chicks, John Mayer, Danger Mouse and Prince.
Blige’s nominations include record of the year and song of the year for Be Without You and best R&B album for The Breakthrough.
In the record of the year category, she faces tough competition from Blunt’s You’re Beautiful, Not Ready To Make Nice by the Dixie Chicks, Crazy by Gnarls Barkley and Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae.
With the exception of Gnarls Barkley, the same nominees are up for best song, along with American Idol winner Carrie Underwood for Jesus, Take The Wheel.
Gnarls Barkley, the Dixie Chicks, John Mayer, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Justin Timberlake are competing for best album.
The Grammys are awarded in 108 categories from pop and jazz to gospel and polka.
Several Canadians have made the list of nominees, including:
– Michael BublÈ: Best traditional pop vocal album for Caught in the Act.
– Winnipeg’s The Duhks: Best country performance by a duo or group with vocal for Heaven’s My Home.
– Nelly Furtado: Best pop collaboration with vocal for Promiscuous with Timbaland.
– Diana Krall: Best jazz vocal album for From This Moment On.
– Lisa Lambert: Best musical show album for her work on the Broadway hit The Drowsy Chaperone.
– Sarah McLachlan: Best traditional pop vocal album for the holiday release Wintersong.
– Northern Cree and Friends from Alberta: Best native American music album for Long Winter Nights.
– Walter Ostanek: Best polka album for his album with Fred Ziwich, Good Friends, Good Music.
– Daniel Powter: Best pop male vocal for Bad Day.
– Neil Young: Best solo rock vocal performance for Lookin’ For a Leader; best rock song for Lookin’ For a Leader and best rock album for Living With War.
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