The 25 Essential Grammy Moments: Day Two

By: Jacob Elyachar

If you have not had the opportunity to read day one of my Grammy series, click here: https://jakes-take.com/2013/02/the-25-essential-grammy-performances-day-one/

This year, the Grammys will feature unforgettable performances from Kelly Clarkson, fun., Justin Timberlake and Taylor Swift.

In addition to all of these solo performances, many fans have high expectations from collaborative performances including the Alicia Keys-Maroon 5 mash-up and Ed Sheeran’s duet with Sir Elton John.

Day two features some of the Grammys’ most unforgettable team-ups and some astonishing performances that stole their respective ceremonies.

Fleetwood Mac: “Rhiannon”/”Go Your Own Way”/”Don’t Stop” (1998)

Fresh off from recording The Dance, the classic Rumours line-up of Fleetwood Mac took the Grammy stage by storm and performed three signature hits.   This was one of the last performances to feature longtime keyboardist Christine McVie, who retired from the band.

Whitney Houston: “It’s Not Right but It’s Okay”/”Learned from the Best” (2000)

Whitney delivered one of her best performances during the 2000 Grammy Awards when she performed two of her biggest hits from her 1999 album: My Love Is Your Love.    While this performance was Houston’s last time performing on the Grammy stage, her medley was one of the many highlights of that evening.

Carlos Santana & Rob Thomas: “Smooth” (2000)

Carlos Santana tied with Michael Jackson for the most Grammy wins in a single night.  He performed a victory lap with his “Smooth” collaborator Rob Thomas that featured strong vocals from Rob Thomas and a high-octane guitar solo from Carlos Santana.

Eminem & Sir Elton John: “Stan” (2001)

Between Eminem’s impressive raps and Sir Elton John’s incredible piano licks and excellent vocals on the chorus, it is no wonder that the duo’s collaboration remains one of the Grammy’s most memorable moments.

To watch the performance, click here: http://youtu.be/ZY2p7oE7Bpw

 

Joss Stone & Melissa Etheridge: “Cry Baby”/”Piece of My Heart” (2005)

The Janis Joplin tribute was an incredible highlight of the 2005 Grammy Awards because it showed two remarkable women: rising newcomer Joss Stone, who blazed through “Cry Baby” and Melissa Etheridge, who was just fresh from chemotherapy returned to the stage to perform a powerful and inspiring “Piece of My Heart.”

Madonna, Gorillaz & De La Soul: “Feel Good, Inc.”/”Hung Up” (2006)

One of the most interesting Grammy openings is the mash-up between Gorillaz and De La Soul’s “Feed Good, Inc.” and Madonna’s “Hung Up.”    This mash-up brilliantly combined live action music with 3-D animation and featured an excellent performance from the Queen of Pop that transported the audience to a dance club.

 

Linkin Park, Jay-Z & Sir Paul McCartney: “Numb”/”Encore”/”Yesterday (2006)

Three different music genres united during the 2006 Grammy Awards.   After performing their hit from their 2004 Collision Course album, the former Beatle joined the group on stage to participate in the finale of Linkin Park and Jay-Z’s Grammy number.

 To watch this mash-up, click here: http://youtu.be/Q2HXqhrClao

 

Mary J. Blige: “Be Without You” (2007)

The Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul delivered one of the best performances of the 2007 Grammy Awards when she performed her breakthrough hit: “Be Without You.” It was a tour-de-force vocal performance from start to finish and received a standing ovation from the Grammy audience.

I do not own any of these clips.  They belong to the Recording Academy and CBS.