2015 Grammy Awards: Expectations High As New And Old Acts Hit The Stage
The 2015 Grammy Awards show promises something for everyone this year with performers of all genres and artists who have never performed on the Grammy’s before gracing the stage for the first time. Perhaps most notably, venerable rockers AC/DC will be hitting the Grammy stage for the first time.
According to Billboard, the AC/DC performance will be marked by a reunion with their old drummer, Chris Slade. A Facebook post announced Slade would be performing with the band.
“YES the drum stool is under OLD management! You will, I am sure know by now, CHRIS SLADE will re-join AC/DC for the GRAMMYS tomorrow Sunday 8th Feb and for their new ROCK OR BUST tour!”
The list of performers for the 2015 Grammys is impressive, although one group will be missed. ABC News reports that U2 wanted to perform, but Bono was still recovering from a biking accident that occurred in New York City, which prevented the band from booking.
Executive producer Ken Ehrlich told ABC News, “At least half the show or more are people who have not been on the Grammys before. I mean, we’ve got our standard-bearers. John Legend, we love having back. Madonna’s been on a number of times. Kanye’s been with us a certain number of times. But I mean, I’ve got AC/DC on the show! They’re not a new, young act, but they’ve never been on a Grammy show. So the idea of having these first-timers is really exciting, and it energizes all of us.”
Besides the newcomers to the stage, the Grammys is also presenting unusual performer mash-ups that are likely to keep people talking, such as Lady Gaga with Tony Bennett and Paul McCartney with Rihanna and Kanye West. Solo performers include Madonna, Ariana Grande, Katy Perry, and Sia.
There may be some challenges for the show. For example, Grammy-nominated Australian singer/songwriter Sia doesn’t pose for publicity photos and doesn’t show her own face when she performs, even in her own videos, which posed a challenge for the Grammys when staging her performance. Despite these limitations, Ehrlich believes Sia’s performance will be worth watching.
The 57th Grammy Awards will be hosted by LL Cool J. Special coverage of the Grammys, including red carpet arrivals and exclusive interviews, can be watched via live stream. The telecast is scheduled to air tonight, February 8, at 5 p.m. PST/8 p.m. EST on CBS.
[Image: Ariana Grande]
