Jagger, Streisand to Join Rising Stars at Grammys
Legendary rocker Mick Jagger and veteran diva Barbra Streisand will join rising stars and seasoned chart-toppers Sunday at the music industry's annual Grammys awards bash in Los Angeles.
Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and teen sensation Justin Bieber are also on a star-studded rosta of performers at the show, at which rapper Eminem hopes to seal a comeback year with a brace of awards.
While showcasing new talent, the glittering evening will also pay tribute to past greats including "The King of Rock 'N Soul" Solomon Burke, who died last year, and ailing soul legend Aretha Franklin.
Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson and Florence and the Machine singer Florence Welch will stage a combined "Valentine's" and "get-well" tribute for Franklin, recovering from reported cancer surgery.
"The special segment will feature individual and collective performances of some of the Queen of Soul's classic hits," said the organizers ahead of the three-and-a-half hour show at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.
The Grammys are the music industry's equivalent of the Oscars, the climax of Hollywood's annual awards season that this year takes place in barely two weeks' time, on February 27.
Frontrunners for Grammys glory include Eminem, nominated in 10 categories in what could cap a comeback year for the once-troubled rap star.
The singer dropped out of music-making in the middle of the past decade as he battled with drug problems. He returned with the album "Relapse" in 2009, before 2010's "Recovery."
Eminem -- real name Marshall Bruce Mathers III -- has a Best Album nod for "Recovery," as well Best Song nomination with Rihanna for "Love the Way You Lie," at the 53rd Grammys show.
Hawaiian-born singer Bruno Mars came second to Eminem with seven nominations including Best Male Pop Vocal, while US rap megastar Jay-Z, Nashville-born country trio Lady Antebellum and Lady Gaga each earned six nods.
Perry is also in the running for Best Album along with Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire and Lady Antebellum.
Record of the Year nominees notably include Cee Lo Green's hugely catchy song "Fuck You!" -- although the singer has promised to sing the family-friendly "Forget You" version if he wins and has to perform it.
Best New Artist nominees were Canadian teen idol Bieber, quirky British singer Florence Welch, country-tinged Brits Mumford and Son, as well as Drake and Esperanza Spalding.
But while much media attention will focus on the rising stars, older viewers may tune in to see if Jagger and Streisand can show the young ones how to strut their stuff.
Music legend Bob Dylan was also to perform at the awards show, according to the LA Times newspaper, which said an official confirmation of the performance was expected Thursday.
Here are the nominations in the main categories:
- Record of the Year: "Nothin' on You" by B.o.B with Bruno Mars; "Love the Way you Lie" by Eminem featuring Rihanna; "Fuck You!" by Cee Lo Green; "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys; and "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum.
- Best Album: "The Fame Monster" by Lady Gaga; "Recovery" by Eminem; "The Suburbs" by Arcade Fire; "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum; and "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry.
- Best Rock Album: "Emotion & Commotion" by Jeff Beck; "The Resistance" by Muse; "Backspacer" by Pearl Jam; "Mojo" by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, and "Le Noise" by aging folk rocker Neil Young.
- Best Female Pop Vocal: "King of Anything" by Sara Bareilles; "Halo" by Beyonce; "Chasing Pirates" by Norah Jones; "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga; and "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry.
- Best Male Pop Vocal: "Haven't Met you Yet" by Michael Buble; "This is It" by Michael Jackson; "Whataya Want from Me?" by Adam Lambert; "Just the way You Are" by Bruno Mars, and "Half of My Heart" by John Mayer.
A full list of nominees can be found at http://www.grammy.com.
Source: Agence France Presse
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