Paul McCartney seen here receiving the Gershwin Award from US President Barack Obama lit up a burdened Grammy show with his performances the day after Whitney Houston's death - (Whitehouse.gov / PBS - photo)

Video Beat Part 2 - GRAMMY AWARDS LIGHTEN IT UP

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

The night after Whitney Houston's death the Grammys had a load to pull to overcome the grief of her passing. They accomplished it with performances from several 60's music legends including the Beatles Paul McCartney. Adele was the big winner taking home six awards making her the youngest - Recommended TV Listings

Monday February 13, 2012

OLDIES BUT GOODIES SHINE

A day following the tragic death of Whitney Houston the Grammy Awards soldiered on with a lightened up show. The 3 ½ hour program opened up with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performing "We Take Care of Our Own."

Host LL Cool J then appeared and said, "We ask ourself, how do we speak to this time, to this day? There is no way around this. We've had a death in our family. At least to me, the only thing that seems right is to start with a prayer for our fallen sister, Whitney Houston."

He then said a prayer for Houston.

The tribute continued as Cool J noted that there are moments in the history of previous Grammy shows that people will remember for the rest of their lives as video clips of Houston singing appeared on the stage video screen.

The then it was time to get down to business as Cool J said, We're gonna make some new Grammy moments. This night is about healing this night is about us."

Bruno Mars was the first act to perform and he urged the crown to get into the essence of what the Awards were all about by stating, "Tonight get off your RICH ASSES and LETS HAVE SOME FUN."

That's set the tone for the remainder of the evening that was focused on celebrating music and not using the awards show to mourn the death of Houston. Bonnie Raitt and Alicia Keys followed Mars performance and mentioned the loss of Houston and Etta James then sang a song.

From that point on mentions of Houston were few a far between. Jennifer Hudson paid tribute by singing Houston's hit I Will Always Love You and Stevie Wonder noted that she was up in heaven.

It was a night that the audience behaved and dressed well almost going back to the days when to attend the event you had to wear a tuxedo. Over the years that requirement was ignored and bashed by a revolt of the performers who refused to dress for the occasion. It was that attitude that has sent the program spiraling down to a show of arrogant entertainers that monetarily had it all and respected no one. This year some of the attendees wore suites and ties.

The show of respect was refreshing to see. Houston's death may have softened up the recent hardened attitude of the program that had presenters who had supercilious comments with very little substance. There were no harsh overtones or controversial events during the night that previously marred other Grammy Award presentations in recent years.

The program lightened up with a focus on the old timers in the music business from the 60's era before music moved on to rap, hip hop and electronic. The Beatles Paul McCartney made two performing appearances. The now 69-year-old veteran that represents Rock & Roll royalty struggled with his voice which was sad to see. The ex-Beatle is considered by many to be the greatest songwriter of all time but age and wear and tear make a difference in quality of voice.

The same was true in the performances of the Beach Boys and Glen Campbell 75. Eighty five year old Tony Bennett faired a bit better in his duet with Carrie Underwood.Though the old timers struggled vocally it was good to see and hear music for a change.

Given that the original members of the Beach Boys Brian Wilson and Mike Love are 69-70-years old they made a good showing of themselves. It was enjoyable watching the old geezers still rocking & rolling while many others their age are in wheel chairs. As Danny & The Juniors sang Rock & Roll is Here to Stay, it will never die.

Adele was the big winner this year winning in all six categories in which she was eligible including the three top awards for Album, Record and Song of the Year. The 23-year-old Brit is the youngest to win six Grammy's in one show. She and Beyonce are the only woman to take home six Grammys in one night.

Other big winners included the Foo Fighters with five awards and Kanye West with four.

The Grammys are determined by about 13,000 voting members. The eligibility period for nominated recordings was Oct. 1, 2010, to Sept. 30, 2011.

There was a strong emphasis on country music this year. Performance by Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum represented the genre and complimented Campbell's presence.

Another stand out sidebar was seeing Rihana and former boyfriend Chris Brown in the same building after their big bust up three years ago a day before the 2009 Awards show prompting her to cancel her appearance on the program. That physical encounter required her to have medical treatment and Brown served time in jail.

That Grammy Awards show had more of a doom of gloom atmosphere hanging over it than this year's event following Whitney's death. That 2009 Grammy Awards show was very tense throughout the program. This season Brown won a Grammy for Best R&B Album for F.A.M.E. It was his first Grammy. Rihanna went Grammy-less. The bad boy apparently has redeemed himself with his fans and the Grammy brass as he also performed twice.

Last years show featured Lady Gaga hatching herself out of an egg. This season she laid one as she also went Grammy-less. Fittingly McCartney closed out the show singing a medley "Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End" medley from the "Abbey Road." When he went to playing from keyboards to guitar he was joined on stage with other musicians who have lived in eight decades and played music professionally in six. They included Springsteen 61, Joe Walsh in his 60's and the Foo Fighters Dave Grohl who is a child by comparison being only in his 40's. McCartney's contribution to the show gave it life.

Part 3 - Entertainment Stars Talk & Take Drugs

NATIONAL RADIO PUBLISHED IN 5 LANGUAGES

National Radio text is published in five languages, Thai, French, Russian, Khmer (Cambodian language) and English, Any of our foreign language material and our Roman Wanderaugh columns is legally available ONLY on our National Radio site. Our sports, entertainment and feature programming has been broadcast on over 1000 radio stations.

TV SCHEDULE

Note: The shows listed are for the Cambodia/Thailand time zone. Check our chart or your local listings for time in your area.

NOTE TIMES OF THE SAME TELECAST IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

© Copyright: National Radio. Any use of these materials, whole or in part, is prohibited unless authorized in writing by National Radio. Contact: nationalradio@yahoo.com All rights reserved.