Grammys shower Ray Charles with love
LOS ANGELES (CP) - Grammy voters had Ray Charles on their mind this year, paying tribute to the late musician with awards and sonic tributes at the Grammy Awards.
Charles's posthumous duets album Genius Loves Company, which has become the biggest seller of his storied career, took eight trophies, including the coveted album of the year and record of the year for a duet with Norah Jones.
"It just shows how wonderful music can be," said an emotional Jones.
High profile winners included Alicia Keys with four trophies, followed by Kanye West and Usher with three apiece.
The annual show seemed to even out the playing field, with no one musician dominating the winners podium. As well, a melting pot of musical genres was showcased, with air time for Lynyrd Skynyrd-styled southern rock, Jennifer Lopez's Latino romance, gospel-infused rap and politically charged punk rock.
"This is the best Grammys I've ever seen," exclaimed U2's Bono when he accepted one of the band's two trophies including best rock song for Vertigo.
Charles's presence was felt early in the show with a musical tribute by Ray-impersonator Jamie Foxx who performed Georgia On My Mind. It was followed by another epitaph at the very end by Bonnie Raitt and Billy Preston.
Dressed all in white, producer-turned-rapper West, who was the frontrunner going into the awards with 10 nominations, had the most spirited acceptance speech of the night.
"Everybody wanted to know what I'd do if I didn't win. I guess we'll never know," he said, waving the golden trophy over his head. He won best rap song for Jesus Walks and best rap album for The College Dropout.
In the night's biggest upset, West lost the best new artist category to alt-pop outfit Maroon5.
"Kanye West, I want to thank you for being unbelievable," said frontman Adam Levine, who stopped to shake West's hand on the way to the podium.
Backstage, Levine added: "Everyone in the room expected him to win. He deserves it as much as we do."
Heartthrob Usher also made off with three, including one he shared with Keys for the hit song My Boo.
As expected, Green Day's punk opera, American Idiot, snagged best rock album. The politically aware disc has catapulted the group back into the limelight. The last time the Southern California band won a Grammy was 11 years ago, when their breakout record Dookie netted them a trophy for best alternative music performance.
"Rock and roll can be dangerous and fun at the same time," frontman Billy Joe Armstrong said accepting the award.
At a ceremony prior to the televised show at the Staples Center, Charles won best pop vocal album. He's been on the voter radar for months, buoyed in part by his death last June at age 73 and the success of the film Ray.
His CD was also named best engineered and best surround sound album
"I thank God for giving us Ray for all those years," said the disc's producer Phil Ramone.
Charles's Heaven Help Us All with Gladys Knight won best gospel performance while Here We Go Again with Jones won best pop collaboration.
"I worship him," Jones, who also took home a trophy for her song Sunrise, gushed backstage. "I felt musically challenged sitting there with Ray Charles. He's the best singer ever in the history of the universe."
Backstage, Charles was on many people's minds.
"He had the greatest God-given talent that ever lived," said Jerry Lee Lewis, who was feted with a lifetime achievement award.
The 47th annual awards opened with a 10-minute-long number by five nominated artists: the Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani (performing with Eve), Los Lonely Boys, Maroon5 and Franz Ferdinand.
As for the Canadian contingent, Toronto-born Howard Shore won another two Grammys for Lord of the Rings. The first was for best score soundtrack album for Return of the King - his third consecutive year picking up that trophy.
His other was for co-writing Annie Lennox's Into the West, shutting out first time nominee Benoit Charest, of Montreal, who was up for best song written for a film for his work on The Triplets of Belleville.
Shore didn't attend to accept his hardware.
Another Canadian winner was Peter Buchanan-Smith, 32, originally from Guelph, Ont. The art director, who now resides in New York, won for the packaging on Wilco's A Ghost Is Born.
Others didn't fare too well with Victoria-born producer David Foster losing to Victor Vanacore, who arranged Over the Rainbow, the Charles and Johnny Mathis duet. Sarah McLachlan also lost to the Charles album.
Newcomer Gretchen Wilson beat out veteran country stars Shania Twain, Alison Krauss, Loretta Lynn and Martina McBride in the best female country vocal performance category.
Twain lost her other nomination to White Stripes frontman Jack White and Lynn who collaborated on Portland Oregon.
Toronto-based Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra also lost in its category as did polka band leaders Walter Ostanek and John Gora and Gorale. Nickelback lost to Velvet Revolver while rapper k-os lost to Britney Spears, who won her first-ever Grammy for the dance track Toxic.
Beach Boy Brian Wilson beat Rush for best rock instrumental for Mrs. O'Leary's Cow from Smile, the album he'd begun nearly 40 years ago but put on hold because of a near mental breakdown.
It was his first-ever Grammy.
"I waited 42 years for this Grammy and it was well worth the wait," he said backstage. "I'm so thrilled to win."
Lynn, also a sentimental favourite, won best country album for Van Lear Rose, her project with White Stripes frontman Jack White.
"You're an American treasure," White told Lynn, who looked resplendent in a long blue gown.
A few faces from outside the music world won awards including former U.S. president Bill Clinton for best spoken word album for his autobiography My Life and comedian Jon Stewart for best comedy album.
There are a whopping 107 Grammy categories, most of which were awarded at a three-hour ceremony prior to the televised show.
Grammy winners are determined by the U.S. recording academy's 15,000 members based on merit, although commercial success often influences votes.
Grammy Winners
Here is a partial list of winners at Sunday's 47th Annual Grammy Awards:
Album of the Year: Genius Loves Company, Ray Charles.
Record of the Year: Here We Go Again, Ray Charles, Norah Jones.
Song of the Year: Daughters, John Mayer
Rock Duo or Group with Vocal: Vertigo, U2
Country Album: Van Lear Rose, Loretta Lynn
Rap Album: The College Dropout, Kanye West.
R&B Album: The Diary of Alicia Keys, Alicia Keys.
New Artist: Maroon 5.
Rock Album: American Idiot, Green Day.
Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: Heaven, Los Lonely Boys.
Male R&B Vocal Performance: Call My Name, Prince.
Engineered Album, Classical: Higdon: City Scape; Concerto for Orchestra, Jack Renner, engineer (Robert Spano).
Producer of the Year, Classical: David Frost.
Classical Album: Adams: On the Transmigration of Souls, Lorin Maazel, conductor; John Adams and Lawrence Rock, producers.
Orchestral Performance: Adams: On the Transmigration of Souls, Lorin Maazel, conductor; John Adams and Lawrence Rock, producers.
Opera Recording: Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro, Rene Jacobs, conductor; Patrizia Ciofi, Veronique Gens, Simon Keenlyside, Angelika Kirchschlager and Lorenzo Regazzo; Martin Sauer, producer (Various Artists; Concerto Koln).
Choral Performance: Berlioz: Requiem, Robert Spano, conductor; Norman Mackenzie, choir director (Frank Lopardo, tenor; Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus; Atlanta Symphony Orchestra).
Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with Orchestra): Previn: Violin Concerto 'Anne-Sophie'/Bernstein: Serenade, Andre Previn, conductor; Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin (Boston Symphony Orchestra and London Symphony Orchestra).
Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra): Aire Latino (Morel, Villa-Lobos, Ponce, etc.), David Russell, guitar.
Chamber Music Performance: Prokofiev (Arr. Pletnev): Cinderella - Suite for Two Pianos/Ravel: Ma Mere L'Oye, Martha Argerich, piano and Mikhail Pletnev, piano.
Small Ensemble Performance (with or without conductor): Carlos Chavez - Complete Chamber Music, Vol. 2, Jeff von der Schmidt, conductor; Southwest Chamber Music.
Classical Vocal Performance: Ives: Songs (The Things Our Fathers Loved; the Housatonic at Stockbridge, etc.), Susan Graham, mezzo soprano.
Classical Contemporary Composition: Adams: On the Transmigration of Souls, John Adams (Lorin Maazel; Brooklyn Youth Chorus and New York Choral Artists; New York Philharmonic).
Classical Crossover Album: LAGQ's Guitar Heroes, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.
Traditional Folk Album: Beautiful Dreamer - The Songs of Stephen Foster, Various Artists.
Contemporary Folk Album: The Revolution Starts ... Now, Steve Earle.
Native American Music Album: Cedar Dream Songs, Bill Miller.
Hawaiian Music Album: Slack Key Guitar Volume 2, Various Artists.
Reggae Album: True Love, Toots and The Maytals.
Traditional World Music Album: Raise Your Spirit Higher, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Contemporary World Music Album: Egypt, Youssou N'Dour.
Polka Album: Let's Kiss: 25th Anniversary Album, Brave Combo.
Musical Album for Children: cELLAbration! A Tribute to Ella Jenkins, Various Artists.
Spoken Word Album for Children: The Train They Call The City of New Orleans, Tom Chapin.
Spoken Word Album: My Life, Bill Clinton.
Comedy Album: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Presents ... America: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction, Jon Stewart and the Cast of The Daily Show.
Musical Show Album: Wicked.
Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: Garden State, Various Artists.
Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Howard Shore, composer.
Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: Into the West, Annie Lennox, Howard Shore and Fran Walsh, songwriters, track from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Instrumental Composition: Merengue, Paquito D'Rivera, composer (Yo-Yo Ma), from Obrigado Brazil - Live in Concert.
Instrumental Arrangement: Past Present and Future, Slide Hampton, arranger (The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra), from The Way - Music of Slide Hampton.
Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): Over the Rainbow, Victor Vanacore, arranger (Ray Charles & Johnny Mathis), from Genius Loves Company.
Recording Package: A Ghost Is Born, Peter Buchanan-Smith and Dan Nadel, art directors (Wilco).
Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package: Once in a Lifetime, Stefan Sagmeister, art director (Talking Heads).
Album Notes: The Complete Columbia Recordings of Woody Herman and His Orchestra and Woodchoppers (1945-1947), Loren Schoenberg, album notes writer (Woody Herman and His Orchestra).
Historical Album: Night Train to Nashville: Music City Rhythm and Blues, 1945-1970, Daniel Cooper and Michael Gray, compilation producers.
Best Engineered Album, non-classical: Genius Loves Company.
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: John Shanks.
Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical: Jacques Lu Cont, It's My Life (Jacques Lu Cont's Thin White Duke Mix).
Best Surround Sound Album: Genius Loves Company.
Latin Pop Album: Amar Sin Mentiras, Marc Anthony.
Latin Rock/Alternative Album: Ozomatli.
Traditional Tropical Latin Album: Ahora Si! Israel Lopez Cachao.
Salsa/Merengue Album: Across 110th Street, Spanish Harlem Orchestra featuring Ruben Blades.
Mexican/Mexican-American Album: Intimamente, Intocable.
Tejano Album: Polkas, Gritos y Acordeones, David Lee Garza, Joel Guzman and Sunny Sauceda.
Short Form Music Video: Vertigo, U2.
Long Form Music Video: Concert for George, Various Artists.
Gospel Performance: Heaven Help Us All, Ray Charles and Gladys Knight.
Rock Gospel Album: Wire, Third Day.
Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: All Things New, Steven Curtis Chapman.
Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album: Worship and Faith, Randy Travis.
Traditional Soul Gospel Album: There Will Be a Light, Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama.
Contemporary Soul Gospel Album: Nothing Without You, Smokie Norful.
Gospel Choir or Chorus Album: Live ... This is Your House, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.
Traditional Blues Album: Blues to the Bone, Etta James.
Contemporary Blues Album: Keep It Simple, Keb' Mo'.
New Age Album: Returning, Will Ackerman.
Contemporary Jazz Album: Unspeakable, Bill Frisell.
Jazz Vocal Album: R.S.V.P. (Rare Songs, Very Personal), Nancy Wilson.
Jazz Instrumental Solo: Speak Like a Child, Herbie Hancock.
Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group: Illuminations, McCoy Tyner with Gary Bartz, Terence Blanchard, Christian McBride and Lewis Nash.
Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Concert in the Garden, Maria Schneider Orchestra.
Latin Jazz Album: Land of the Sun, Charlie Haden.
Female Country Vocal Performance: Redneck Woman, Gretchen Wilson.
Male Country Vocal Performance: Live Like You Were Dying, Tim McGraw.
Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: Top of the World, Dixie Chicks.
Country Collaboration With Vocals: Portland Oregon, Loretta Lynn and Jack White.
Country Instrumental Performance: Earl's Breakdown, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band featuring Earl Scruggs, Randy Scruggs, Vassar Clements and Jerry Douglas.
Country Song: Live Like You Were Dying, Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman (Tim McGraw).
Bluegrass Album: Brand New Strings, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.
Female R&B Vocal Performance: If I Ain't Got You, Alicia Keys.
R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: My Boo, Usher and Alicia Keys.
Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: Musicology, Prince.
Urban/Alternative Performance: Cross My Mind, Jill Scott.
R&B Song: You Don't Know My Name, Alicia Keys, Harold Lilly and Kanye West (Alicia Keys).
Contemporary R&B Album: Confessions, Usher.
Rap Solo Performance: 99 Problems, Jay-Z.
Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: Let's Get It Started, The Black Eyed Peas.
Rap/Sung Collaboration: Yeah! Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris.
Rap Song: Jesus Walks, Miri Ben Ari, C. Smith and Kanye West (Kanye West).
Female Pop Vocal Performance: Sunrise, Norah Jones.
Male Pop Vocal Performance: Daughters, John Mayer.
Pop Collaboration With Vocals: Here We Go Again, Ray Charles and Norah Jones.
Pop Instrumental Performance: 11th Commandment, Ben Harper.
Pop Instrumental Album: Henry Mancini: Pink Guitar, Various Artists.
Pop Vocal Album: Genius Loves Company, Ray Charles and Various Artists.
Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Stardust ... The Great American Songbook Volume III, Rod Stewart.
Dance Recording: Toxic, Britney Spears.
Electronic/Dance Album: Kish Kash, Basement Jaxx.
Alternative Music Album: A Ghost Is Born, Wilco.
Solo Rock Vocal Performance: Code of Silence, Bruce Springsteen.
Hard Rock Performance: Slither, Velvet Revolver.
Metal Performance: Whiplash, Motorhead.
Rock Instrumental Performance: Mrs. O'Leary's Cow, Brian Wilson.
Rock Song: Vertigo, Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge and Larry Mullen (U2).
Minute by minute from the Grammys
What's happening minute by minute at the Grammys? USA TODAY's William Keck reports from the red carpet, Whitney Matheson checks in from backstage and Alison Maxwell and Jayme Deerwester are glued to the tube.
Man of the evening: Ray Charles won a leading eight Grammys for his final album, Genius Loves Company. A musical eulogy of sorts.A.M. Posted 11:47 p.m.
Album of the year: Ray Charles' Genius Loves Company won the night's biggest award. "If he's looking upon us he's just made his career about another 50 years longer," said a producer accepting on Charles' behalf. Gary Sinise and nine-time Grammy Award winner Bonnie Raitt presented the award. "I have a band called the Lt. Dan Band and we're 100% Grammy-free," Sinise joked. A.M. Posted 11:32 p.m.
Happy Valentine's Day: Does John Mayer have a Valentine to share his pair o' Grammys with? "I don't I've been too busy," he told a reporter. "How about you?" In keeping with the family theme of his winning song (Daughters), Mayer said his father was especially thrilled when he realized Mayer was part of the same record label Frank Sinatra used to be on. W.M. Posted 11:25 p.m.
Bargain single: Velvet Revolver's Scott Weiland, who participated in the benefit performance of Across the Universe (and won a Grammy tonight), said he hoped "we inspired some people and put some good blessings in people's hearts." He also applauded Melissa Etheridge's performance and wig-less appearance: "She's very brave. A lot more brave than I would be." Slash kept his comments brief: "It's only 99 cents," he said of the benefit single. The band heads to Australia tomorrow to continue its worldwide tour. W.M. Posted 11:20 p.m.
In memoriam: Grammy attendees took a moment out of the ceremony to remember those that died in the last year. Among those remembered: Johnny Ramone, Artie Shaw, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Laura Branigan, Ray Charles and Rick James. A.M. Posted 11:19 p.m.
'Here We Go Again': Norah Jones accepted the record of the year for her collaboration with the late Ray Charles. "Listen to that. I'm gonna cry," said Jones. "How many people has he made smile?" But the play-off music guy wasn't smiling he played off the producer before he could finish the speech. J.D. Posted 11:01 p.m.
So that's where the dress came from: Sheryl Crow, on hand to present record of the year, joked that she used some of Lance Armstrong's old yellow jerseys to make her gown. J.D. Posted 10:59 p.m.
A Town down!: Usher took to the stage to perform Caught Up, the latest tune from Confessions, which has already won three Grammys. Then he got christened the "new godson of Soul" by a guy who would know : James Brown. J.D. Posted 10:58 p.m.
Singers, be good to your songwriters: Stevie Wonder and Norah Jones remained on stage after the sing-along to present John Mayer with Song of the Year for Daughters. Normally, this trophy goes to the writer rather than the artist. This time, they were one and the same. "I'd like to thank my grandmother, who had a really awesome daughter my mom," Mayer told the crowd. Does that mean he's off the hook if he forgets to call on Mother's Day? J.D. Posted 10:47 p.m.
Something's gotta change our world: Bono, no stranger to charity singles, lead an all-star rendition of the Beatles' Across the Universe that will soon be made available on iTunes, with proceeds going to tsunami relief. Joining him: Norah Jones, Brian Wilson, Alison Krauss, Stevie Wonder, Steven Tyler, Alicia Keys, Tim McGraw, and somewhat surprisingly, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and the members of Velvet Revolver. J.D. Posted 10:42 p.m.
Is the stage high enough to induce 'Vertigo'?: U2 returns to the stage for the second time to accept the Grammy for rock duo/group vocal. Bono noted the competition in the field, which included the Killers and Franz Ferdinand. "I actually think this is the best Grammys I've ever seen," proclaimed Bono. Doing a bit of crisis management, drummer Larry Mullen Jr. wisely took a moment to apologize for their recent ticket sales snafu. J.D. Posted 10:33 p.m.
That guy's name sounds familiar: Matchbox Twenty's Rob Thomas explained that special award recipient and record industry veteran Ahmet Urtegun was one of the reasons his band signed with Atlantic Records. If the name sounds familiar, it could because he was recently portrayed in the Oscar-nominated biopic Ray. He was played by Curtis "Booger" Armstrong. J.D. Posted 10:28 p.m.
Good luck charm: "My record people tell me they want to rub me for good luck," John Legend said backstage after his Grammy performance. "They feel things are really happening for me right now." Legend, often described as a "neo-soul" artist, made his debut last year with Get Lifted. He also praised legendary singer Mavis Staples: "As soon as I met her, the energy from her I felt was so good."W.M. Posted 10:24 p.m.
Get back here, Jack: Loretta Lynn had to force collaborator Jack White to take his share of the credit for their win for best country album, Van Lear Rose. The White Stripes frontman recalled a conversation he had with Lynn while they were recording the disc. "Loretta told me 'Fourteen of my songs got banned by country radio, and every time they did that, the song went to No. 1.' Well they didn't play this record either, but it's No. 1." Lynn complimented the other acts in the category, singling out country hunk McGraw while apologizing to his wife, Faith Hill. "I love Tim McGraw. Faith, I can't help it!"J.D. Posted 10:22 p.m.
It's only fitting that Lance Armstrong was here: Between Etheridge's bald, bold performance and Tim McGraw's live rendition of the Grammy-winning Live Like You Were Dying, we felt the urge to go run laps around the USA TODAY building just because we could.J.D. Posted 10:14 p.m.
Melissa, Joss and Janis: Best new artist nominee Joss Stone and Grammy vet Melissa Etheridge honored one of their shared inspirations and another of the night's lifetime achievement award recipients, Janis Joplin. Stone belted out Cry, Baby and Etheridge totally channeled the late singer during Piece of My Heart.J.D. Posted 10:04 p.m.
No hard feelings, right, Kanye? Not only are members of Maroon 5 fans of Kanye West whom they thanked after winning the Grammy for best new artist they worked with him on a remix of This Love. Backstage, lead singer Adam Levine said the award "will definitely not hurt our love lives." Another post-show perk, according to Levine: "We know a lot of places to go to right now and drink massive amounts of alcohol."W.M. Posted 10:01 p.m.
'Jesus' wins: "Y'all might as well get the music ready, 'cause this is gonna take a while. When I had my accident [West broke his jaw in a car accident], I found out that nothing in life is promised except death. If you have the opportunity to live this life, you have to take every moment. A lot of people don't appreciate their opportunity until it's passed and they have to tell Al Bundy stories," Kanye West said as he accepted the best rap album Grammy for The College Dropout. "Everybody wanted to know what I'd do if I didn't win. I guess we'll never know." J.D. Posted 9:53 p.m.
Raise your lighters: The members of Lynyrd Skynyrd are still reeling from their performance as part of the Southern rock tribute. "That was pretty cool when they stood up, man," Johnny VanZant said backstage. Added Ricky Medlocke: "I actually saw P. Diddy get into it!" W.M. Posted 9:48 p.m.
Forget going to Disneyland: Now that they've won a Grammy, what's next for the three brothers in Los Lonely Boys? "A lot of people say they're going to Disneyland," bassist JoJo Garza said backstage. "I'm thinking about buying it, to be honest with you." W.M. Posted 9:50 p.m.
Their Sunday best: Lifetime achievement award recipients the Staples Singers and up-and-comer John Legend performed a rousing I'll Take You There before backing up Kanye West for a theatrical rendition of Jesus Walks. Jesus took a brief respite as The Blind Boys of Alabama continued the churchifying with an a capella version of I'll Fly Away. But Kanye brought it home and brought the house to its feet.J.D. Posted 9:44 p.m.
Make it six for Alicia: Keys claimed a sixth Grammy in the R&B album category, and dedicated her speech to the folks who helped her get on the stage her songwriting collaborator ("the other half of Crucial Keys"), her longtime manager and the first radio stations to play her debut CD. J.D. Posted 9:36 p.m.
Can you hear the sound of hysteria?: Director Quentin Tarentino introduced Green Day, noting "They made an album with a real novel concept: All the songs are good." Tarentino stayed on the censors' good side, but Green Day opted not to censor the title track from American Idiot. J.D. Posted 9:30 p.m.
They are loved: Maroon 5 claimed best new artist honors for Songs About Jane. "These are my best friends, and this is the trippiest thing I've ever gone through in my life," said frontman Adam Levine. But don't feel too bad for Kanye West he already has one award and he's nominated for eight more. J.D. Posted 9:23 p.m.
Doing double duty: Hey, where'd Queen Latifah go? Over to the performance stage to perform some standards from her Dana Owens disc. J.D. Posted 9:19 p.m.
Let's get the next record started: Pressed for time, the Black Eyed Peas could only stop backstage for a couple minutes (if that), but it was long enough for Apl.de.Ap to let out a string of excited, yet odd, yelps. "Hopefully we can get the record of the year," Will.I.Am said. 'If we don't, we had a really, really great year." W.M. Posted 9:19 p.m.
Play some Skynyrd, man: Matthew McConaughey introduced the southern-fried portion of tonight' s live entertainment. After Gretchen Wilson joined surviving Lynyrd Skynyrd members for the band's classic Free Bird, they called in reinforcements like Tim McGraw and Keith Urban for Sweet Home Alabama and Ramblin' Man. J.D. Posted 9:10 p.m.
You sang to me (en Espaρol): Mr. and Mrs. J.Lo invited us into the bedroom for the ballad Escapemonos from Marc Anthony's CD Amar Sin Mentiras (Love Without Lies), which just won a Grammy a few hours back. J.D. Posted 8:59 p.m.
Boulevard of big honors: The members of Green Day accepted the best rock album Grammy for American Idiot. A touched Billie Joe Armstrong climbed over several people to bear-hug producer Rob Cavallo, who helped them earn their first Grammy for 1994's Dookie. "Rock and roll can be dangerous and fun at time same time," Armstrong said of their politically charged rock opera. J.D. Posted 8:51 p.m.
So that's where he got that voice: Bono paid tribute to his dad, a postal clerk who liked to sing opera around the house, as U2 began Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own. "He had a beautiful tenor voice and I'd like to think that when he died, he passed it on to me."J.D. Posted 8:41 p.m.
Making a statement: Ben Harper just came backstage wearing a white, rhinestone-studded suit, custom-made by a disciple of legendary country designer Nudie Cohen. How does the two-time Grammy winner feel about award shows? "I think they're completely self-indulgent
and I couldn't be more excited about winning," he said. After winning, Harper said he called his four children (two of which are with longtime love Laura Dern). "I don't know if this is the first of many (awards) or one of the last, so I figured I'd make it count," he said. W.M., Posted 8:40 p.m.
We called your name, dude: Adam Sandler and Nelly, castmates in the upcoming remake of The Longest Yard, accepted an absent Prince's Grammy for R&B male vocal performance for Call My Name. J.D. Posted 8:34 p.m.
Now, that's saying something: Backstage, those who saw Jamie Foxx and Alicia Keys pay tribute to Ray Charles on a TV screen were just as blown away as those in the auditorium. After the performance, applause could be heard across the Staples Center's media area and that's saying a lot for this group, which has remained quiet for most of the day. W.M., Posted 8:36 p.m.
Yeah, he really can play: A recently shorn Jamie Foxx joined in the fun, sitting down a second piano to help Keys pay tribute to Brother Ray. The tune? An elegant version of Georgia On My Mind. At the end, Charles' longtime pal Quincy Jones silently opened his jacket to reveal a T-shirt bearing his friend's likeness.J.D. Posted 8:30 p.m.
Ebony and ivory: Alicia Keys, decked out in white, sat at a matching baby grand to play If I Ain't Got You. J.D. Posted 8:25 p.m.
Meanwhile, backstage...: How come it took more than three decades for Brian Wilson's Smile to hit record stores? "We were taking a lot of interesting drugs so we had to shelve it for quite a few years," he said backstage. On the worldwide tour he did to support the album: "Every minute of it was heaven for me." Wilson said a Christmas album is possible later this year. On a sad note, Wilson said band member Scott Bennett, who worked on Smile and has been missing since the tsunami, still has not been found. W.M., Posted 8:25 p.m.
Work of Art: Latifah paid tribute to jazz legend Art Blakey, who also received a lifetime achievement award. Also being honored: blues pianist Pinetop Perkins.J.D. Posted 8:24 p.m.
Weren't we just here?: Los Lonely Boys made a quick trip back to the stage to claim the first prime-time award, pop duo/group vocal for Heaven. J.D.. Posted 8:18 p.m.
All hail the Queen: Host Queen Latifah kicked off her monologue with a toast to the birthday of rock n' roll, which turns 50 this year. "I'd have to say it's looking pretty fit," observed Queen.J.D. Posted 8:14 p.m.
Faking it: Every winner who makes the rounds backstage is holding a Grammy but it's not their own. As several performers have noted, a non-personalized, all-purpose trophy is handed to them before facing the press. After all, it's not like awards can be engraved ahead of time and it's not like photographers want to take pictures of winners without Grammys in hand. W.M., Posted 8:10 p.m.
Yeah, what she said: The Black Eyed Peas' Fergie got the ball rolling with her call to rock: "Let's get it started." Next came Gwen Stefani and Eve, who teamed for Let Me Blow Ya Mind a few years back, followed, doing their best Fiddler on the Roof impression for Stefani's Rich Girl. Then it was the boys' turn Los Lonely Boys, to be specific. The XY chromosomes kept control of the mic as a nicely attired Maroon 5 dug intoThis Love. And finally, Grammy offered a musical tribute to the guy whose murder started World War I: Franz Ferdinand. J.D. Posted 8:09 p.m.
No longer living 'La Vida Loca'? Ricky Martin, during arrivals, said he'd just heard about Christina Aguilera's engagement to music executive Jordan Bratman. He said, "I am so exicited. I am going to call her tonight." W.K. Posted 8 p.m.
Saying goodbye to friends: Bonnie Raitt, on the carpet, said she was going to be doing a tribute for people who have died. "I can't believe how many greats we lost this year. When I was growning up, Howard Keel was what we played in our house. He became a great family friend, and I can't believe he's gone." W.K. Posted 8 p.m.
Get ready, folks: With just seconds to go before the show, the crowd in the Staples Center is being told to "be loud tonight." Said a Grammy organizer onstage: "I hope you take this the right way, but tonight there are no boy bands, no pop teen divas, but some amazing performers. It's really about the music." W.M., 7:54 p.m.
Another dream to check off the list: "I've been dreaming about this my whole life, ever since I sang in private into a brush," Grammy winner Jill Scott said backstage. She credits her mother as a major inspiration: "She really facilitated my dreams," she said. "We lived in a ghetto ... but I was so filled up with love that I didn't really know that we were broke until I was in high school." What performance is she looking forward to tonight? J. Lo and Marc Anthony, of course. W.M., 7:54 p.m.
Bald is Beautiful: Melissa Etheridge looks stunning, despite a recent bout of chemotherapy, sporting large diamond studs. "My hair's growing back," she told Reynolds Jones. J.D. Posted 7:44 p.m.
A new record for Lance Armstrong?: Sheryl Crow says her bicycling beau is "the annoying kind of person who can do almost anything" including sing. So don't rule out the possiblity of him singing a little back-up on her next disc. J.D. Posted 7:43 p.m.
Not a Fan: Kanye West didn't know how to respond when Kathy Griffin asked him if he thought Josh Groban's You Raise Me Up was written about the same higher power as Jesus Walks. Said West after a pause, "I haven't heard the song." J.D. Posted 7:42 p.m.
Deja vu all over again?: Perhaps some of the pre-telecast's final winners signal good things to come for the televised ceremony. Among them: U2, for best rock song; Brian Wilson, for best rock instrumental performance; Ray Charles, for best pop vocal album; Kanye West for best rap song; and John Mayer, for best male pop vocal performance. Britney Spears has even won a Grammy tonight for best dance recording (the song: Toxic). W.M. Posted 7:42 p.m.
Snack attack: How many Grammy-winning musicians can you cram on a small backstage platform? So far Ozomatli holds the record with nine members taking the mike. After talking about how gratifying it was to win after 10 years performing together, they had one question for the press: "Where are the snacks at?" W.M. Posted 7:40 p.m.
More from Garcia: Actor Andy Garcia just strolled backstage to talk about his other passion Latin music. He produced Israel Lopez's Cachao, which won the Grammy for best traditional tropical Latin album. "It started as a fan," Garcia said of the relationship. "And then it became
he considers me his son, you know? I think I'm a good producer for him because I know his music so well." Garcia said he's also working on a documentary about the recording of the album, which was done in a speedy three days. W.M. Posted 7:29 p.m.
Aging with grace: James Brown came up to Kris Kristofferson, and they congratulated each other on how young they look. When asked what the secret to looking young was Brown said, "Don't fight with your wife." Brown also recently saw the movie Ray and is not sure the time is right to his own story yet. "I listen to the young people now, and they are telling my story every day Michael (Jackson) and Usher. If they do do my story, there is only one person I want to play me, and that is my son, James Joseph Brown II." W.K. Posted 7:27 p.m.
Grammy legend: Kris Kristofferson stopped during arrivals to say, "I started coming to the Grammys in the '70s. Things have changed a lot. I went to the rehearsal today and it looks like they have a really tight show." W.K. Posted 7:18 p.m.
Dog-gone it!: Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, during arrivals, said that Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony were "trying to dispell the rumors that they suck" by performing during the show. On what he was wearing: "an animal death coat, the hides of cats with their heads still on." W.K. Posted 7:17 p.m.
A home run: Bronson Arroyo, pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, during arrivals said that he has an album of covers coming out July 11 called Covering the Bases. He sings and plays the guitar, which he did not start playing until 1999. Among the band covers on the album are Pearl Jam and Incubus. W.K. Posted 7:15p.m.
More from Zach: Zach Braff just whisked through the backstage area to chat about his unexpected Grammy win. At his side: Cary Brothers, one of the artists on the Garden State soundtrack. "My Grandma is driving around Boca Raton cranking Coldplay, so you know the album has crossed over," Braff said. He added he hopes to direct his second feature in 2006, and will soon appear in the animated flick Chicken Little and Last Kiss, "a modern-day Diner." When asked what music first moved him, Braff admitted loving Sheena Easton's Morning Train as a kid. W.M. Posted 7:09 p.m.
Fresh and beautiful: New Grammy winner Jill Scott just accepted her Grammy for best urban/alternative performance. "This is fresh," she said, clutching her award for Cross My Mind, a track on her Beautifully Human album. W.M. Posted 6:55 p.m.
Gift of music: Ricky Skaggs just picked up a Grammy for best bluegrass album even though the presenter at the pre-telecast called him "Ricky Shaggs" by mistake. "I want to thank the Lord for the gift of music," said the singer, who won for his album with Kentucky Thunder, Brand New Strings. W.M. Posted 6:49 p.m.
Hip-hop who?: Andy Garcia, who won for hispanic album Ahora Si, arrived with his 21-year-old daughter, Domenique. "I have no knowledge of the hip-hop world whatsoever, but my kids and I listen to classic rock and reggae. I think the first concert I took Domenique to was the Rolling Stones. I have kids ranging in age from 13 to 21." Domenique was wearing a heavy coat, and when asked why, Garcia responded "always keep 'em guessing." W.K. Posted 6:45 p.m.
Grammy gold: A few of tonight's country winners during the pre-telecast: Gretchen Wilson, for best female country vocal performance; Tim McGraw, for best male country vocal performance; the Dixie Chicks, for best country performance by a duo or group with vocal; and Loretta Lynn and Jack White, for best country collaboration with vocals. Unfortunately, none of the winners was around to give an acceptance speech. W.M. Posted 6:43 p.m.
Give me credit: Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine on the best part of being famous: "When I go somewhere I'm not fearful my credit card is going to be declined." A.M. Posted 6:41 p.m.
His 'n hers: Did Jimmy Jam pick out a lavender tie to match wife Lisa Harris's low-cut Monique Lhuillier gown? A.M. Posted 6:39 p.m.
Bluegrass beauty: Alison Krauss, decked out in a red dress, is whisked back down the green carpet, apparently for more photo and press ops. W.M. Posted 6:30 p.m.
Laugh lines: E!'s red carpet comedian Kathy Griffin got off a good one right before Star Jones Reynolds interviewed former Attorney General Janet Reno. "I can hardly wait to hear when her CD drops." Reno, sporting a classic white wrap top and pearls, was there with her nephew David Macias, producer of Beautiful Dreamer:The Songs of Stephen Foster. A.M. Posted 6:25 p.m.
Feeling green: Rob Thomas from Matchbox 20 was on the carpet with his wife, Marisol. Asked what he thinks of the arrivals carpet being green this year, "It reminds me of how I was feeling this morning. I partied hard at Clive's (Davis) party last night. I ate the whole bottle of wine. We must have gotten home around 2 in the a.m. and then walked our dog, Tyler." The couple brought Tyler with them when they flew from the East Coast. "We had to give him doggie Valium, but today I am the one who needs the Valium. The green carpet is a travesty; I like Heineken (which sponsored arrivals), but they have got to get over themselves." W.K. Posted 6:15 p.m.
Hammer time: Three-time Grammy award winner M.C. Hammer tells Star Jones "anytime you're nominated by your peers it feels good." He says he's pulling for Kanye West. A.M. Posted 6:14 p.m.
A beautiful day: U2 has won best short-form music video for Vertigo. As for best long-form music video, that Grammy went to the team behind Concert for George, a show honoring George Harrison.W.M. Posted 6:09 p.m.
A win for Marc: Marc Anthony takes home the award for best Latin pop album. Even though Anthony is scheduled to perform later in the evening with wife Jennifer Lopez, he wasn't around to accept the award. (Anthony didn't win the other category he was up for tonight, best salsa/merengue album.)W.M. Posted 6:01 p.m.
Going solo: Matchbox 20 lead singer Rob Thomas tells E! the band has not broken up. "We're just taking a break," he said. On his new solo CD: "I turn 33 tomorrow. It's a new chapter in my life." A.M. Posted 5:58 p.m.
More from Earle: Steve Earle spoke backstage about his "pretty political records" and upcoming tour. Though he has played several overseas dates since the release of The Revolution Starts
Now, he said, "I didn't write these songs to sing in Europe." He'll perform in Santa Cruz, Calif., tomorrow; the tour winds up April 10 in Nashville. Also on Earle's plate: producing the next Allison Moorer record and staging a play he wrote about death-row inmate Karla Faye Tucker. W.M. Posted 5:56 p.m.
Halloween or the Grammy Awards? Members of Slipknot just hit the red carpet wearing very scary masks. A.M. Posted 5:45 p.m.
Best artwork: Wilco's A Ghost is Born just nabbed an award for its egg-themed album artwork. Art directors Peter Buchanan-Smith and Dan Nadel accepted the Grammy for best recording package. Its competition: Pretty packages from The Shins, Ani DiFranco, Beastie Boys and a compilation called The Wandering Accordion. W.M. Posted 5:44 p.m.
State of elation: Zach Braff just picked up his first Grammy for the Garden State soundtrack. "I never thought I'd win a Grammy," he said. "This is not for me, this is for all the amazing musicians
I can't thank them as fellow artists enough." Before leaving the stage, he read the names of each musician on the soundtrack, including Coldplay, Colin Hay and The Shins. W.M. Posted 5:31 p.m.
Another early winner: Jon Stewart and The Daily Show gang won for best comedy album. Stewart wasn't present to grab his award, which was for the audio recording of his best seller, America (The Book). W.M. Posted 5:30 p.m.
Hail to the chief: Former President Bill Clinton just won a Grammy for the audio recording of his autobiography, My Life. Clinton was not in attendance, so members of Jars of Clay accepted on his behalf.W.M. Posted 5:27 p.m.
For Danny: Steve Earle just accepted his award for the best contemporary folk album with a brief, to-the-point acceptance speech: "This one is for Danny Goldberg." Goldberg is chairman of Earle's label, Artemis Records, which released Earle's latest release, The Revolution Starts
Now, which criticized the Bush administration. W.M. Posted 5:20 p.m.
Early birds: We're about 45 minutes into the Grammy pre-telecast, where 95 of the 107 awards are being handed out inside the Staples Center. Jars of Clay just took the stage to present the award for best traditional folk album. The winner: Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster. Awards for world music, soundtracks and the best comedy album will follow shortly.W.M. Posted 5:17 p.m.
YOUVE GOT NO FRIEND IN ME
Steve Jobs threw more cold water Thursday on the possibility of renewing a deal with Disney as Pixar reported strong fourth-quarter earnings due in equal parts to "The Incredibles" and continued strength for "Finding Nemo" in homevid.
Animation powerhouse's topper said repeatedly in an investor conference call that it was "likely we will not forge a new relationship with Disney beyond our current deal." Mouse House prexy and possible future CEO Bob Iger also has said such a renewal is doubtful.
Prospect of a deal wasn't helped when Michael Eisner recently said the artistry on some of the Disney-Pixar pics was "pretty pathetic." Asked to respond during the conference call, Jobs quipped, "I know our films don't stack up against 'Atlantis' or 'The Emperor's New Groove' or 'Treasure Planet,' " referring to Disney animated flops and underachievers.
Jobs stayed mum on who will end up as its distribution partner, saying only that the shift in major studio toppers, such as the recent installation of Brad Grey at Paramount and the hunt for a new Disney CEO, gave him reason to pause.
He did indicate a decision is likely by late this year, though, when the company also plans to release details on its slate of post-Disney pics, the first of which is already in production.
Whoever partners with Pixar next, though, will be limited to a small distribution fee, as the company ended 2004 with $855 million in cash and is on track to amass a hoard of $1 billion by the end of this year. That gives it plenty of coin with which to entirely fund its own productions.
Looking to the future, Jobs hinted Pixar may move to a schedule of two releases per year, like its major competitor DreamWorks Animation. Asked about such a scenario, he said: "We need to get on a solid footing at one picture per year. Then all sorts of discussions are possible."
Jobs also cast some light on his decision not to participate in the Mouse House's sequels, such as the in-development "Toy Story 3."
"The question is: Should we fill the previous slots in our production schedule with sequels on which we will earn only 50% of the profits and will be forever controlled by Disney?" he asked. "Or should we fill it with original Pixar films, on which we will earn 100% of the profits, fully own and control?"
He noted that under the terms of their contract, Disney won't be able to use the Pixar brand in any of its marketing to sequels of the studios' jointly produced pics.
Company generated $108.9 million in revenue and net income of $55.2 million last quarter, down 33% and 34%, respectively, from a year ago, as the company had "Finding Nemo" in the more lucrative homevid window last year.
For the full year, Pixar earned $141.7 million on revenues of $273.5 million, up 11% and 4% from 2003.
"The Incredibles" is on track to gross around $625 million, putting it about equal with "Monsters, Inc." and behind Pixar's biggest hit, "Finding Nemo," which generated significant coin for the animation studio last year on DVD.
That trend continued a year after pic first hit homevid. Company made $38.4 million from "Finding Nemo" DVDs and consumer products in the fourth quarter, just slightly behind the $40.8 million it took in during the fourth quarter from theatrical release of "The Incredibles."
"Finding Nemo" has sold 48.6 million homevid units worldwide, 75% of which were on DVD.
Pixar also made $26.8 million from the rest of the pics in its library, primarily from "Monsters, Inc." hitting network TV.
Company made just $3 million from sales of its animation software.
Pixar shares closed up 1% Thursday at $89.88. (As reported by VARIETY)
Smith's 'Hitch' Blows Away Box Office
LOS ANGELES - Will Smith usually brings audiences in at gunpoint. This time, he did it with hugs and kisses. Starring in his first romantic comedy, the action hero scored a No. 1 debut with "Hitch," which took in $45.3 million over Valentine's Day weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.
"Clearly, Will Smith is the man," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "He can open any kind of movie. He has multi-genre appeal."
The previous weekend's top movie, the horror tale "Boogeyman," fell to second place with $10.8 million, lifting its 10-day total to $33.3 million.
The weekend's other new wide release, the animated family tale "Pooh's Heffalump Movie," opened at No. 5 with $6 million.
Sony Pictures had the weekend's top three movies with "Hitch," "Boogeyman" and "Are We There Yet?", which was No. 3 at $8.5 million.
"Hitch" stars Smith as a Manhattan "date doctor" who helps hopeless men win the hearts of their dream women but has romantic troubles when he meets his own soul mate (Eva Mendes).
It was the fifth-straight No. 1 debut for Smith, following "Shark Tale," "I, Robot," "Bad Boys II" and "Men in Black II." Those movies all opened in the $46 million to $52 million range.
"Will Smith certainly delivers, doesn't he?" said Rory Bruer, Sony's head of distribution. "He's one of those rare stars that just appeals to everyone, men, women and children. There's no doubt he's somewhat of a king of action, but he is every bit as good in comedy."
The $6 million debut for "Pooh's Heffalump Movie" was on par with distributor Disney's last Winnie the Pooh cartoon, 2003's "Piglet's Big Movie," which opened with $6.1 million, though below the debut of the Pooh adventure "The Tigger Movie," which premiered with $9.4 million in 2000.
Disney spokesman Dennis Rice said the Pooh flicks are made cheaply enough that it will turn a solid profit once television and home-video revenues roll in.
Three key contenders for the Feb. 27 Academy Awards remained in the top 10. The boxing drama "Million Dollar Baby" was No. 4 with $7.6 million, raising its total domestic gross to $45.1 million.
The buddy tale "Sideways" took in $4.75 million to finish in eighth place, lifting its total to $53.1 million. The Howard Hughes epic was ninth with $4.6 million, pushing its domestic haul to $82.3 million.
Two movies opened solidly in limited release. "Bride & Prejudice," a romance that updates Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" to a modern-day Bollywood musical in India, took in $388,076 in 32 theaters. The film is directed by Gurinder Chadha ("Bend It Like Beckham").
The documentary "Inside Deep Throat" debuted solidly with $91,000 in 12 theaters. Produced by Brian Grazer ("A Beautiful Mind"), the NC-17-rated film examines the cultural impact of the 1972 porn blockbuster "Deep Throat."
Here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "Hitch," $45.3 million.
2. "Boogeyman," $10.8 million.
3. "Are We There Yet?", $8.5 million.
4. "Million Dollar Baby," $7.6 million.
5. "Pooh's Heffalump Movie," $6 million.
6. "The Wedding Date," $5.6 million.
7. "Hide and Seek," $5.55 million.
8. "Sideways," $4.75 million.
9. "The Aviator," $4.6 million.
10. "Meet the Fockers," $3.4 million.
Pop Star Christina Aguilera Gets Engaged -Report
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - American pop princess Christina Aguilera has got engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Jordan Bratman, People magazine reported on Saturday.
Music executive Bratman proposed to the 24-year-old three-time Grammy award winner on Friday while on vacation, the magazine said on its Web site, citing her representative.
New York-born Aguilera, whose music industry awards include a Grammy for best new artist in 1999, has been dating Bratman for more than two years.
"Christina was very surprised," People quoted a close friend of Aguilera's as saying. "She's ecstatic."
Aguilera made a big splash as part of the teen pop revolution with her self-titled 1999 debut album, including hit singles "Genie in a Bottle" and "What a Girl Wants."