We have to give it up for LL Cool J: not only is he our host, he's going to perform. How long has it been since you've seen LL showing off his rap chops?
The GRAMMYs are jazzing things up, but in a somber key. The legendary Chick Corea is onstage, saluting his comrade Dave Brubeck, who died in December. The song is Brubeck's most beloved number, "Take Five."
Onstage with pianist Corea are a pair of jazz heavy-hitters -- that's Stanley Clarke on upright bass and Kenny Garrett on sax. The backdrops of Brubeck are bound to leave jazz heads with tears in their eyes. What a talent.
Neil Portnow, GRAMMY brass, is onstage, keeping this night of inspired and inspiring performances and awards official.
JT asks, "Best GRAMMYs ever?" Could be.
Some tremendous losses to the music community this year -- so much nostalgia in the "In Memoriam" segment.
But what a lot of brilliant legacies left behind.
We're not done paying tribute just yet -- it's time to remember the masterful Levon Helm in song.
What a lineup: Sir Elton is back to handle piano, and singing along with him are the soulful Mavis Staples and Brittany Howard, of Alabama Shakes. That's Zac Brown on guitar, too, and -- yep -- all of Mumford & Sons is taking part in this toe-tingler of an In Memoriam performance. The song is "The Weight," a classic from the Band.
T-Bone Burnett, too. I got chills when Elton John mentioned the Sandy Hook victims at the intro.
Helm died in April, of cancer. He was also an actor and one of the major stars (along with Robbie Robertson) of what may be one of the best concert films ever made: Martin Scorsese's "The Last Waltz," released in 1978.
So much heart in this performance. And respect. These artists have invested a song that already had a lot of meaning for most listeners with new depth.
Did you know? Levon Helm was the inspiration for Elton John's hit song "Levon," co-written with Bernie Taupin
GRAMMY Fact: Mavis Staples won her first career GRAMMY for Best Americana Album for You Are Not Alone in 2010
