The Grammys will air on Sunday!
Viewers can expect to see great performances from Adele, Chris Brown, Diana Krall and the Beach Boys. Hopefully these upcoming performers can learn about showmanship and vocal delivery from previous Grammy performers.
The Top Five Grammy Performances That You Need to Watch features powerful vocal performances and show stopping segments that cemented their place as the best Grammy performances of all-time.
5. Melissa Etheridge & Joss Stone, Cry Baby/Piece of My Heart (2005)
One of the most moving performances of the 2005 Grammys was the Janis Joplin tribute that featured British songbird Joss Stone teaming up with rocker Melissa Etheridge for a powerful rendition of Janis’s signature song: “Piece of My Heart.” This performance had passion and raw vocals oozing out of this performance.
Click here to watch Melissa and Joss steal the show at the 2005 Grammy Awards: http://youtu.be/9FwL_huvYjQ
4. Christina Aguilera, It’s A Man’s World (2007)
To pay tribute to the Godfather of Soul, the Grammy producers turned to five-time Grammy winner Christina Aguilera to sing the late James Brown’s most popular song. The Voice judge delivered an incredible homage that showcased her full vocal range and received a standing ovation from the Grammy audience.
To watch Christina’s impeccable performance, click here: http://youtu.be/rBAY2Fx9PtU
3. Michael Jackson, The Way You Make Me Feel/Man in the Mirror (1988)
The late King of Pop performed two of his hits from his 1987 classic album Bad. Jackson showed off his smooth dance moves and several vocal tricks when he performed “The Way You Make Me Feel” with several of his dancers. But Jackson shined when he performed: “Man in the Mirror” with the help of five background vocalists and a gospel choir.
Click here to watch Michael’s show-stopping performance: http://youtu.be/RVRQgP0aWk8
2. Ray Charles, Eleanor Rigby (1990)
The Genius paid tribute to Sir Paul McCartney when the former Beatle received his Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys. Like any song Ray Charles touched, he made the Lennon/McCartney classic his own and viewers connected with that song.
To watch Ray Charles’ performance, click here: http://youtu.be/r-eoy2zdQ5g
Aretha Franklin, Nessun Dorma (1998)
The 1998 Grammy Awards could be known as the night Aretha Franklin saved the Grammys. When Luciano Pavarotti felt ill and could not perform “Nessun Dorma,” producers turned to the Queen of Soul to perform the timeless operatic aria. The end result was the best Grammy performances of all-time as Aretha merged her soul background into the opera standard.
Click here to watch Aretha make Grammy history: http://youtu.be/wlNV6YkpXdo
I do not own any of these clips that were featured in my article. These belong to the National Recording Academy of Arts and Sciences and CBS Television Network.
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