Alicia Keys - (Business Wire) - photo)

Billie Eilish - (Billie Eilish @Pukkelpop 2019 - photo)

Video Beat Extra Extra - GRAMMY'S SURVIVE KOBE'S DEATH & GRAMMY MANAGEMENT SEX SCANDEL

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Grammy host Alicia Keys managed to keep things together following the tragic death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna the morning of the Grammy Awards that were held at the Staples Center where Bryant played most of his 20 year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers - On the brighter side eighteen year old Billie Eilish was the big winner of the evening taking home four Grammy Awards

THE BEAT WENT ON….

Monday, January 27, 2020

The saying whenever something goes wrong everything goes wrong can be applied to the 62nd Grammy Awards. Other than overcoming the sex and Grammy management scandals surrounding the ceremony the news of the tragic death of Kobe Bryant and his 13 year-old daughter Gianna that morning in a helicopter crash killing all nine people on board that was devastating. The awards show crowd and recording stars were stunned and in shock.

Fortunately the shows host Alicia Keys handled the program in the most professional manner possible. Throughout the presentation Keys mentioned the loss of Kobe but she didn't overdue it. She kept the show as upbeat as possible and was not as grim as the show following the apparent suicide death of Whitney Houston in 2012 following an awards party just hours prior to the event.

Proceeding last years Grammys then, President/CEO of the Recording Academy Neil Portnow said of Keys that she was… "A dynamic artist with the rare combination of groundbreaking talent and passion for her craft, Alicia Keys is the perfect choice as host for our show. Throughout her exciting career, I have watched her become a powerful force within the music industry and beyond. As an artist who speaks to the power of music, we are thrilled to have her on board for what's sure to be an unforgettable GRAMMY Awards."

Keys lived up to that praise this season but it was Portnow that was missing since his contract was not renewed after a rape charge accusation by an unnamed singer from Europe. The rape is said to have occurred following a concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Portnow held the President/CEO position since 2007.

Portnow usually makes an appearance every year when announcing the talent that passed away during the past year. Since he was dismissed a female Deborah Dugan replaced him but she lasted only a few months and was fired due to charges of being too heavy handed in her management style.

She was replaced by Harvey Mason Jr. just weeks before the show. Mason did not do Portnow's introduction of deceased talent and made no appearance at all. The entire sex and management dramas were not noted during the show.

In addition to the doom and gloom that hung over the event it was more dramatic since the show took place at the Staples Center. It is the venue where Bryant played his games with the Los Angeles Lakers.

During the show in the evening fans continued to gather in front of the building to mourn Kobe's death. They brought flowers and gifts that eventually turned into a memorial for Bryant and Gianna.

Keys and Boyz II Men rallied to pay beautiful, tasteful tribute to the basketball superstar with an acappella rendition of "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye." At the end of the tear-jerking performance, the camera chillingly panned up to Bryant's illuminated Lakers jerseys displayed on the Staples Center wall.

To further add chaos was the news coverage including helicopters that televised the fans creating their memorial. Overall Keys focused on hosting the show and keeping it moving and as lively as possible. Given the circumstances she deserves an award for a job well done. She avoided the overbearing gloom that hung over the Grammys following Huston's death but this year Keys tactfully noted Bryant's passing.

On the bright side, eighteen year old Billie Eilish was the big winner of the evening taking home four Grammys. She is the youngest person and first female to win in four main Grammy categories, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist in the same year. Since she began her career in 2015 she has amassed 13 platinum and four gold singles in the US.

Her brother, Finneas O'Connell - who, at age 22, also made Grammy history as the youngest recipient of the Producer of the Year, Non-Classical award (for his work on Eilish's debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?). To top it off both were home schooled by their mother and actress Maggie Baird. Given the results, apparently she's a great teacher.

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