Grammys greatest performances in history: Beyoncé, Pink, Kendrick Lamar

USA Today

30-01-2025

Grammys greatest performances in history: Beyoncé, Pink, Kendrick Lamar
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Benson Boone, Chappell Roan to Perform at the Grammys
Expect to see Benson Boone, Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish gracing the Grammys stage.
Cheddar
Let's be honest: The Grammys are hardly about awards anymore.
In recent years, only nine of the Grammys' more than 80 trophies were handed out during the 3½-hour ceremony on CBS, with most of the prizes given at a non-televised event beforehand. This year, at 94, there are even more categories.
Instead, the telecast is primarily devoted to performances. A slew of A-list artists are lined up for Sunday's show on CBS and Paramount+ (8 EST/5 PST), from music veterans including Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow and Shakira to best new artist nominees Benson Boone, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan.
Last year's ceremony featured spectacular performances from Joni Mitchell and Billie Eilish. We look back at more of the best music moments from Grammys past:
Tina Turner, 'What's Love Got to Do with It' (1985)
With just a spotlight, a sparkling red dress and a microphone, Turner brought her boundless charisma to this simple yet soulful performance of this 1984 hit from her "Private Dancer" album. As she slinked up a staircase at the end of the number, the entire crowd leapt to its feet in admiration. - Patrick Ryan
Michael Jackson, 'The Way You Make Me Feel' / 'Man in the Mirror' (1988)
Although his 1987 classic "Bad" lost album of the year to U2's "The Joshua Tree," Jackson still won the night with this epic 10-minute medley. Alone and dancing center-stage for most of the performance, the dynamic MJ proved that all he needs is a mic and a moonwalk to captivate a crowd. - Ryan
Eric Clapton, 'Tears in Heaven' (1993)
Two years after the tragic accidental death of his 4-year-old son, Conor, the guitar icon performed this heartbreaking tribute at the 1993 Grammys. "I want to thank my son for the love he gave me and the song he gave me," Clapton said during the show, where the elegiac "Tears" won record and song of the year. - Ryan
Whitney Houston, 'I Will Always Love You' (1994)
Houston opened the 1994 ceremony with a flawless and thrilling rendition of her signature "The Bodyguard" anthem, which picked up record of the year. Jennifer Hudson would later perform the track at the 2012 Grammys, movingly honoring the late legend just a day after her death. - Ryan
Aretha Franklin, 'Nessun Dorma' (1998)
It's one of the greatest stories in Grammy history. Stepping in last minute for an ailing Luciano Pavarotti, the Queen of Soul stood by patiently as the orchestra played the swelling notes of the Italian aria before turning to the mic and unleashing that voice. We knew she could slay soul and gospel, but opera? She belted every grand note with the ease of a legend. - Melissa Ruggieri
Ricky Martin, 'La Copa de la Vida' (1999)
Though he was already an international star, the U.S. hadn't been properly introduced to Martin until he razzle-dazzled Grammy viewers with a vivacious performance stocked with sizzling live brass, a drum line sashaying down the aisles and his gleaming smile. An instinctual showman with hips rotating into a different zip code, Martin unleashed unfettered joy while simultaneously wiping his Menudo years from his resume and ushering in a crossover movement of Latin pop. - Ruggieri
U2, 'Beautiful Day' (2001)
In his trademark tinted shades, Bono slowly rose from his patented crouch as the anthem reached its first chorus, a sunrise of light bursting behind him and the band. But it was the moment after the Edge's mellifluous guitar solo, when the magnetic frontman strolled through the aisles, tipping the camera toward his face for emphasis, that so adeptly captured the song's aural grip. - Ruggieri
Madonna, 'Hung Up' (2006)
We dare you not to smile watching this genius medley of Gorillaz's "Feel Good Inc." and Madonna's ABBA-sampling hit "Hung Up." It's easily one of the Queen of Pop's most vibrant and joyful performances in years. - Ryan
Amy Winehouse, 'You Know I'm No Good' / 'Rehab' (2008)
Undergoing treatment for drug addiction at the time, Winehouse delivered a bewitching performance via satellite from a London soundstage, which was made to look like a posh jazz nightclub. The singular young star, who died of alcohol poisoning in 2011 at age 27, went on to receive five Grammy Awards that night, including best new artist. - Ryan
Beyoncé, 'If I Were a Boy' (2010)
This list could be filled entirely by Queen B performances, from her electrifying 2004 team-up with Prince to her divine, gravity-defying spectacle at the 2017 show. But instead, we'd like to spotlight her powerhouse pipes doing "If I Were a Boy" at the 2010 Grammys, which she effortlessly mashed up with Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know." - Ryan
Pink, 'Glitter in the Air' (2010)
Honestly, still the most breathtaking thing we've ever seen on an awards show and proof that Pink is an actual superhuman. The pop star hung from the ceiling and belted vulnerable ballad "Glitter in the Air," flying over the audience with aerial silks, and spinning and singing upside down all while soaking wet. - Ryan
Lady Gaga, 'Born This Way' (2011)
In typically avant-garde fashion, Gaga arrived at the 2011 Grammys in a giant egg-shaped vessel, which she claimed to have stayed in for 72 hours. After being carried down the red carpet, she "hatched" on stage for a dance-heavy spin on her LGBTQ anthem "Born This Way," which she performed in a yolk-colored latex ensemble. - Ryan
Daft Punk, 'Get Lucky' (2014)
Where else can you get Daft Punk, Stevie Wonder, Nile Rodgers and Pharrell Williams all on one stage? Together, they played a groovy, neon-soaked mashup of "Get Lucky," "Another Star" and "Le Freak" that had the whole audience on their feet. Come for the crowd shots of Yoko Ono and Paul McCartney boogying, stay for the bittersweet reminder that our favorite French robot DJs are no longer together. - Ryan
Adele, 'Fastlove' (2017)
Showing the type of unvarnished emotion we're used to with the British songbird, Adele stopped her audibly off-key ballad version of 'Fastlove,' performed in tribute to recently deceased George Michael, with a heartfelt, 'I'm sorry, I can't mess this up for him.' After a restart, she soared along with the string section as touching video of Michael playing behind her. - Ruggieri
Kendrick Lamar, 'XXX' / 'DNA' / 'New Freezer' / 'King's Dead' (2018)
Featuring a musical assist from Bono and The Edge, as well as cutting interludes from comedian Dave Chappelle, Lamar opened the Grammys with an explosive medley about racism in America, which ended with red-hooded dancers falling to the stage amid the sounds of gunfire. - Ryan
St. Vincent and Dua Lipa, 'Masseduction / One Kiss' (2019)
Is this the hottest thing that has ever happened on TV? The pairing of Dua Lipa and alt-rock singer/guitarist Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent) might've seemed strange on paper, but it immediately works thanks to their intense chemistry and Clark's blistering guitar. - Ryan
Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Ben Platt and Rachel Zegler, In Memoriam (2022)
A trio of Tony winners – joined by "West Side Story" breakout Zegler – harmonized gorgeously on this elegant and deeply affecting medley of songs by late Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, who died in 2021. By the time they all congregated on stage to perform the wistful 'Somewhere' from 'West Side,' we could hardly see the TV screen through our tears. - Ryan
BTS, 'Butter' (2022)
After an intro that sparked 'Mission Impossible' and 007 vibes, the K-pop heroes, clad in sleek black suits and headsets, glided across the stage with precision, their vocals as smooth as, well, you know. The mid-song break to leap through lasers crisscrossing the stage and turn their jackets into air guitars was a masterclass in finesse. - Ruggieri
Miley Cyrus, 'Flowers' (2024)
Hair teased and skin bared, Cyrus not only walloped her way through the song with Tina Turner-meets-Charo pluck, but also tossed in some of her signature tart humor ('Why are you acting like you don't know this song?' she interjected to the audience after the first verse) and unpredictability ('I just won my first Grammy!' she yelled midsong). When Miley has fun, we all benefit. - Ruggieri