The GRAMMYs Deliver A Memoriam For Late Icons

It is always hard to think about the people we lost but it is something we all must do. The Grammys takes time during their night to focus on icons we have lost over the past year. Usually, the people listed in the memoriam contributed to music in some way but some icons surpass this requirement.

Trevor Noah host 64th Grammys
Credit: Getty Images for The Recording Academy

The Memoriam

The memoriam began with Trevor Noah paying his respects to the Foo Fighters drummer. Taylor Hawkins passed away last week at the age of 50. A tribute video played showcasing the talent of Taylor.

“Our thoughts goes out to Taylor’s family, his friends, the Foo Fighter family, and all of their fans around the globe.”- Trevor Noah

Ben Platt, Rachel Zegler, Cynthia Erivo, and Leslie Odom Jr. perform during memoriam
(Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

After, pictures of icons flashed as Cynthia Erivo, Ben Platt, Leslie Odom Jr., and Rachel Zegler performed songs composed by the late Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim. Ben sung Not a Day Goes By, Erivo performed Send in the Clowns as Odom continued with Not a Day Goes By, Zegler later added in Somewhere. All songs intertwined with the other. Finally, the singers all joined in on Somewhere to end the memoriam.

The singers weaved their songs together to create a touching memoriam performance. The entire audience was captivated by the performance. The room was completely silent as everyone showed their respect for those we loss during the past year.

DMX memoriam/Ben Platt, Rachel Zegler, Cynthia Erivo, and Leslie Odom Jr. performing Credit: Chris Pizzello/AP/Shutterstock

Earl “DMX” Simmons , Adolph “Young Dolph” Robert Thorton Jr., Gregory “Shock G” Jacobs, Marcel “Biz Markie” Hall, Jessie D, Carl “Chucky” Thompson Jr, and Virgil Abloh are some of the names that appeared on screen during the memoriam. Other people with various jobs titles were also remembered like composers, producers, singers, managers, song writers, and music moguls. On the Grammy website a longer list does exist.

Of course, it would be impossible to include everyone who has contributed to music and also passed away in the memoriam. The Grammys did their best to honor as many as possible and the moment touched everyone watching and in the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Xavier “Writer X” Griffin | Facebook @WriterX93 |Twitter @WRITER_X_713