Yolanda Adams

Yolanda Adams

Photo courtesy of CBS

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Here's What Went Down At "A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change"

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Featuring performances by stars from Patti LaBelle to Andra Day to Gladys Knight, "A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change" was a decades-spanning celebration of the songs that both reflect and alter the course of social justice history
Morgan Enos
GRAMMYs
Mar 18, 2021 - 10:01 am

When Woody Guthrie wrote "This Land is Your Land," he certainly understood he was expressing something important to the world. Ditto John Lennon with "Imagine" and Marvin Gaye with "What's Going On." But could any of them have known we'd still be singing them in 2021? That amid the racial nightmares of George Floyd's killing and the anti-Asian violence that just battered Georgia, we'd return to the well of songs from 50 or more years ago for healing? 

Welcome to "A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change," a special that solemnly, respectfully paid homage to the songs that altered the course of social-justice history. But the event, which the hip-hop heavyweight Common hosted, didn't just focus on the great tracks of the 20th century; it filtered them through the musical luminaries of the 21st.

A mix of archival performances and COVID-safe new ones, the special succeeded in showing that our modern horrors aren't so new at all—and that throughout history, brave men and women have risen to address the changing tides of history in song. Thus, the young guard (LeAnn Rimes, Chris Stapleton and Andra Day) rubbed shoulders with the old (Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle), showing these well-worn standards still emanate transformative power.

It's no accident that Common was at the helm of "A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change"; check out his socially conscious 1999 classic Like Water For Chocolate if you're curious about how he fits into this puzzle. (Not to mention his poignant performance of "Glory," the theme song to the 2014 film Selma, with John Legend at that year's GRAMMY Awards show.)

After the MC's dignified introduction, the night kicked off with a nocturnal version of John Lennon's "Imagine" by the pearl-covered singer Cynthia Erivo. She ended the rendition with a hair-raising vamp, surrounded by projected imagery of placards reading things like "Close The Camps" and "Unjustified War Is Criminal."

Country titan Chris Stapleton then performed Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World," showing how the old chestnut easily transmutes into a variety of American idioms. (To this point: check out Jon Batiste's melancholic version from 2018's Hollywood Africans.) 

In a tonal 180, LeAnn Rimes then performs Loretta Lynn's saucy (and at the time, unspeakably scandalous) 1975 ode to birth control, "The Pill." Her masked, punked-up backing band showed us how the tune essentially invented Bikini Kill. The womens' liberation theme continued with R&B great Patti LaBelle laying into Lesley Gore's "You Don't Own Me." 

That performance segued into even heavier territory with a version of the "Strange Fruit" by Andra Day—who recently won a Golden Globe for her performance in 2021's The U.S. vs. Billie Holiday. She crooned the anti-lynching classic in a crepuscular, green-screened forest. Showing that times tragically haven't changed in certain respects, "Strange Fruit" segued into Leon Bridges' "Sweeter," a response to George Floyd, featuring Terrace Martin on blazing saxophone.

These issues represent mere facets of human disharmony. But Marvin Gaye's intellect and imagination were keen enough to not only grasp that vastness but channel it into a song for everyone. Enter seven-time GRAMMY winner Gladys Knight, who stepped on stage to perform the immortal "What's Going On" with Sheila E. on percussion, Israel Houghton on guitar, D Smoke on keys and musical director Adam Blackstone on bass.

"Hi, Marvin!" Knight crowed at the outset. "I miss you so much. I love your music—the way you write, the way you sing, the whole thing. You touch my spirit every time you sing a song."

The specter of war was addressed with, well, "War," the Norman Whitfield tune we know from Edwin Starr's version. And after his piano-and-gospel version of his 2021 anti-Trump song "Weeping in the Promised Land"—crescendoing with a collective wail of "I can't breathe!"—John Fogerty rocked things up with Creedence Clearwater Revival's thrilling, outraged, oft-misunderstood classic "Fortunate Son."

Cutting to the essence of the other-ness that feeds racial division, CBS's Gayle King sat down with singer-actor Billy Porter to discuss the struggles of growing up gay and Black—and how music with a social conscience is returning to the forefront in 2021. 

"I'm feeling once again the energy surrounding the power of protest music," Porter said. When asked about his choice to cover Patti LaBelle's "You Are My Friend" for the show, "I just wanted to choose something that was about chosen family," he added. "We talk often in this world about family values, but what happens when your family—your biological family—don't have the tools to understand how to love you?" 

As Porter sang the empathetic ballad on a flower-festooned stage, images of people of all colors, identities and persuasions embracing—often draped in rainbow flags—flashed on the screen. "I want to talk to you a little bit about where I've been in the world!" he crowed midsong.

"A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change" also honored and elevated Latin voices. After a brief preamble from Common about the meaning and import of the neologism "Latinx," Gloria and Emilio Estefan discussed how Latin music is woven into the fabric of American social change. Their daughter Emily Estefan then performed "This Is What," a tribute to Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic and Latina member of the Supreme Court.

Sotomayor was nominated in 2009 by then-President Barack Obama, and Brad Paisley touches on the legacies of our first Black president and first lady. From the floor of the Woolworth on 5th restaurant in Nashville, the country star performed his ascendant "Welcome to the Future," which he wrote in response to Obama's election. Paisley then strolled to the counter, explaining that the restaurant was a historic spot where John Lewis and his friends took a stand for racial justice in 1960.

The special then homed in on "We Shall Overcome," a cornerstone of the civil rights movement. Yolanda Adams laid down a reverent monologue about the tune to the haunting strains of a gospel choir. But then, something unexpected happened. The lights flared up, and Adams upshifted several gears, launching into a raucous take on the soul-strengthening classic. 

It was a joyful capper for a heartening night, conceived and broadcast for all the right reasons. But most importantly, almost every minute of "A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change" was stuffed with music, which is usually the loam from where real change springs.

"A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change" is available on-demand on Paramount+.

From Aretha Franklin To Public Enemy, Here's How Artists Have Amplified Social Justice Movements Through Music

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Gladys Knight performs at the 2021 NBA All-Star Game

Gladys Knight performs at the 2021 NBA All-Star Game

Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

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The Recording Academy And CBS Announce "A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change" Special: Gladys Knight, LeAnn Rimes, Cynthia Erivo, Brad Paisley, Chris Stapleton And More Confirmed

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Hosted by three-time GRAMMY Award winner Common, "A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change" will spotlight the iconic songs that inspired social change and left an everlasting imprint on history
GRAMMYs
Mar 9, 2021 - 12:00 pm

Just three days after the 2021 GRAMMY Awards show, officially known as the 63rd GRAMMY Awards, the Recording Academy and CBS will present "A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change." Broadcasting Wednesday, March 17, at 9–11p.m., ET/PT and also be available via livestream and on-demand on Paramount+, ViacomCBS' newest global streaming service, the new two-hour special will spotlight the iconic songs that inspired social change and left an everlasting imprint on history. 

Featuring top contemporary musical artists and hosted by three-time GRAMMY award winner Common, the special will include appearances by Yolanda Adams, Leon Bridges, Eric Church, D Smoke, Andra Day, Sheila E., Cynthia Erivo, Emily, Emilio, and Gloria Estefan, John Fogerty, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Terrace Martin, Brad Paisley, Billy Porter, LeAnn Rimes, and Chris Stapleton performing songs that have seen us through the darkest hours and greatest triumphs. 

Artists across genres will highlight the stories behind, and deliver personal interpretations of, the powerful music that inspired social justice and equality. Also, presenters from the worlds of entertainment, art and activism will look back at some of the most iconic GRAMMY performances and moments in history. 

From Aretha Franklin To Public Enemy, Here's How Artists Have Amplified Social Justice Movements Through Music

Sounds of Change 2021

Sounds of Change 2021

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Here's What To Expect At "A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change" 2021 Special

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Hosted by three-time GRAMMY winner Common, "A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change" will feature Gladys Knight, LeAnn Rimes, Patti LaBelle, Terrace Martin, Leon Bridges, Brad Paisley and more
Morgan Enos
Recording Academy
Mar 16, 2021 - 5:24 pm

With the 2021 GRAMMY Awards show in the rearview and GRAMMY season winding down for the year, The Recording Academy and CBS will present "A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change." The show will broadcast Wednesday, March 17, at 9–11p.m. ET/PT and will also be available via livestream and on-demand on Paramount+, ViacomCBS' newest global streaming service. The show will illuminate unforgettable songs that catalyzed social change, both reflecting and shaping their times.

Here's what to expect at "A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change."

What To Expect At "Sounds Of Change"

Common Will Host The Event

The three-time GRAMMY-nominated rapper Common will be the master of ceremonies.

John Lennon Will Loom Large

Cynthia Erivo will perform a piano-led version of a solo Beatle classic.

John Prine Will Get His Due

As part of a section focused on environmentalism, the late John Prine will get the spotlight. (So will Marvin Gaye and Woody Guthrie.)

Two Generations Of Country Greats Will Meet

Chris Stapleton will perform a Willie Nelson classic.

Women's Empowerment Will Get The Spotlight

Expect classic GRAMMY performances from Shania Twain and Kesha.

Revisit A Classic Anti-Racist Anthem

Andra Day will sing a song Billie Holiday made immortal.

A Superstar Ensemble Will Sing A Prescient Classic

Gladys Knight, Sheila E. and more will join forces to perform a totemic Marvin Gaye tune.

The Recording Academy And CBS Announce "A GRAMMY Salute To The Sounds Of Change" Special: Gladys Knight, LeAnn Rimes, Cynthia Erivo, Brad Paisley, Chris Stapleton And More Confirmed

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58th GRAMMYs Mirror Our Times

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Top winners Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift and Alabama Shakes reflect the current cultural dialogue
THE GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
Feb 16, 2016 - 11:22 am

In an era when much of the prevailing cultural dialogue revolves around race relations and empowerment, the big winners at the 58th GRAMMY Awards reflected that zeitgeist.

Compton, Calif., rapper Kendrick Lamar went into the 58th GRAMMY Awards as the most nominated artist (11 nods) since Michael Jackson and Babyface each scored 12 for 1983 and 1996, respectively. He took five GRAMMYs, including Best Rap Album for To Pimp A Butterfly, and Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for "Alright."

His performance of "The Blacker The Berry" and "Alright," songs that have become unofficial soundtracks for the Black Lives Matter movement, infused the GRAMMYs with the kind of social currency at which it excels, whether it's celebrating marriage rights or honoring musical icons such as Whitney Houston.

Alabama Shakes, perhaps fittingly a multiracial band with a multiracial frontwoman, won three awards, Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song and Best Alternative Music Album, all based around their acclaimed album Sound & Color.

Taylor Swift won Album Of The Year for 1989 among her three awards. Pointing out that she was the first woman to win that award twice, Swift was passionate about giving due credit to the contributions of women.

"I want to say to all the young women out there," Swift said, "there are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success, or take credit for your accomplishments, or your fame. But if you just focus on the work and you don't let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you're going, you will look around and you will know it was you and the people who love you that put you there. And that will be the greatest feeling in the world."

Other multiple winners included D'Angelo, Diplo, Jason Isbell, Maria Schneider, Ed Sheeran, Skrillex, Chris Stapleton, and The Weeknd.

Rising up, to paraphrase GRAMMY nominee and performer Andra Day, was the theme of night. In addition to Lamar's wins and triumphant performance, there were other noteworthy moments.

Common and John Legend's "Glory," the pair's defiant song from the film about the '60s Montgomery voting rights marches, Selma, won for Best Song Written For Visual Media. West African singer Angélique Kidjo admonished the audience to "say no to hate and violence through music" in accepting her Best World Music Album GRAMMY for Sings during the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony. Lalah Hathaway won in the Best Traditional R&B Performance category for "Little Ghetto Boy," a song about the dire consequences of growing up in inner city poverty that was originally recorded by her father, Donny Hathaway.   

Mexican drummer/composer Antonio Sanchez, who won Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media for Birdman, thanked GRAMMY voters specifically because he had been "eliminated by another awards show that starts with an 'O' and ends with 'scars.'" And songwriter Kendra Foster literally raised a fist and proclaimed "we're trying to rise up" when accepting the Best R&B Song award for her and D'Angelo's "Really Love."

It was also a night of official goodbyes to musical giants, some of whom died within weeks of the GRAMMY telecast.

Lady Gaga's tribute to David Bowie, aided by Intel technology, was an electrifying appreciation of one of the most influential artists of our time. Bowie, who died Jan. 10, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Recording Academy in 2006, and an appropriate celebration on tonight's show with a Gaga medley wrapped up by a triumphant version of "Heroes."

The band that perfected '70s California rock came together to salute its fallen founding member, Glenn Frey, who died Jan. 18. The Eagles strummed through their first hit record, the classic "Take It Easy," teaming with the song's co-writer Jackson Browne (who penned the tune with Frey in the early '70s when they lived in the same L.A. apartment building). The ode to letting troubles run off your shoulders and grabbing life while you can was a fitting tribute to a singer, guitarist and man who did just that.

Things got revved up a few decibels when the Hollywood Vampires (Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp and Joe Perry) lit the funeral pyre for hard rock's No. 1 anarchist Lemmy Kilmister with a short blast of Motörhead's "Ace Of Spades."

At the other end of the genre and attitude spectrum, Earth, Wind & Fire's deeply optimistic pan-spiritual leader Maurice White, who died Feb. 4, was feted by Stevie Wonder, joined by vocal group Pentatonix, who performed an a cappella version of the band's classic "That's The Way Of The World."

Finally, Chris Stapleton, Gary Clark Jr. and Bonnie Raitt paid tribute to the late B.B. King, who died May 14, 2015. The three artists reflected different generations and genres, but demonstrated that roots music is a single language often spoken with six strings, and that all three owe a debt to one of the most noteworthy bluesmen of all time.

Between honoring our musical legacy and recognizing music's power to reflect and impact our cultural legacy, fans truly had a chance to witness greatness on this year's GRAMMYs.

 

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The GRAMMYs' Trailblazing Women, Part Two

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THE GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 3:22 pm

By Paul Grein

Judy Garland made history at the 4th GRAMMY Awards, becoming the first woman to win in one of the "big four" categories. She achieved the feat when her classic album Judy At Carnegie Hall won Album Of The Year for 1961.

In 1990 Garland's daughter, Liza Minnelli, became the first woman to receive a GRAMMY Legend Award.

In honor of Women's History Month, we're taking a look at the women who were the first to win in the current GRAMMY categories.

In part one, we looked at 26 categories, including Best Comedy Album, Best Music Video and Producer Of The Year, Classical. Today, we're going to look at the other 30 categories, including the "big four" awards, as well as The Recording Academy's Special Merit Awards.

Astrud Gilberto was the first woman to win Record Of The Year. She shared the 1964 award with Stan Getz for "The Girl From Ipanema." Carole King was the first woman to win in that category on her own. She took the 1971 award for "It's Too Late." King was also the first woman to win for Song Of The Year. She won that same year for writing "You've Got A Friend."

Bobbie Gentry was the first woman to win Best New Artist. She took the award for 1967, the year of her classic, "Ode To Billie Joe."

In 1967 Ella Fitzgerald became the first woman to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. Another jazz legend, Billie Holiday, was the first woman to have a recording inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame. In 1976 voters saluted her 1941 classic "God Bless The Child."

In 1992 Christine M. Farnon, who was The Recording Academy's first full-time employee, became the first woman to receive a Trustees Award.

Let's conclude our look at the first women to win in every current category that has been in place for at least five years.

The fine print: The category names are as they appeared this year. In many cases, the wording has changed over the years. Except in categories that exclusively recognize behind-the-scenes contributions, the focus here is on the first female artists to win. Where the first woman to win shared the prize with a man, we also show the first woman to win on her own.

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Keely Smith shared the 1958 award (the first year the GRAMMYs were presented) with her husband Louis Prima for "That Old Black Magic." The Pointer Sisters were the first all-female group or duo to win. They took the 1984 award for "Jump (For My Love)."

Best Pop Vocal Album
Bonnie Raitt won the 1994 award (the first year it was presented) for Longing In Their Hearts.

Best Dance Recording
Donna Summer shared the 1997 award (the first year it was presented) for "Carry On," a collaboration with Giorgio Moroder. The following year, Madonna became the first woman to win her own for "Ray Of Light." (Note: Gloria Gaynor won the 1979 award for Best Disco Recording for "I Will Survive.")

Best Dance/Electronica Album
Madonna won the 2006 award for Confessions On A Dance Floor.

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Natalie Cole took the 1991 award (the first year it was presented) for "Unforgettable." The single (the category was open to singles that year) featured her late father, Nat "King" Cole.

Best Rock Song
Alanis Morissette shared the 1995 award with Glen Ballard for "You Oughta Know." The following year, Tracy Chapman became the first woman to win on her own, for "Give Me One Reason."

Best Rock Album
Alanis Morissette won the 1995 award for Jagged Little Pill.

Best Alternative Music Album
Sinéad O'Connor won the 1990 award (the first year it was presented) for I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got.

Best Traditional R&B Performance
Patti LaBelle won the 1998 award (the first year it was presented) for Live! — One Night Only.

Best R&B Song
Betty Wright shared the 1975 award for co-writing her R&B hit "Where Is The Love" with Harry Wayne Casey, Willie Clarke and Richard Finch. Lauryn Hill was the first woman to win on her own. She took the 1998 award for writing her smash "Doo Wop (That Thing)."

Best R&B Album
The female trio TLC won the 1995 award for CrazySexyCool.

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
"Let Me Blow Ya Mind" by Eve featuring Gwen Stefani won the 2001 award (the first year it was presented).

Best Rap Song
Miri Ben Ari shared the 2004 award for co-writing Kanye West's "Jesus Walks" with West and Che Smith.

Best Rap Album
Lauryn Hill shared the 1996 award as a member of Fugees for their album The Score.

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Verna Kimberly and Vera Kimberly of the Kimberlys shared the 1969 award (the first year it was presented) for "MacArthur Park," a collaboration with Waylon Jennings. Five years later, the Pointer Sisters became the first all-female group or duo to win for "Fairytale." (They were also the first all-female group or duo to win the equivalent pop award. What are the odds?)

Best Country Song
Debbie Hupp shared the 1979 award with Bob Morrison for co-writing Kenny Rogers' hit "You Decorated My Life." Two years later, Dolly Parton became the first woman to win on her own for "9 To 5."

Best Country Album
Mary Chapin Carpenter won the 1994 award for Stones In The Road.

Best New Age Album
Enya won the 1992 award for Shepherd Moons.

Best Jazz Vocal Album
Ella Fitzgerald won the 1976 award (the first year it was presented) for Fitzgerald And Pass…Again, on which she was accompanied by jazz guitarist Joe Pass.

Best Jazz Instrumental Album
This award has been presented every year since the inception of the GRAMMYs in 1958, but until this year, no female had won it. Terri Lyne Carrington broke the barrier in January with Money Jungle: Provocative In Blue.

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
Maria Schneider Orchestra took the 2004 award for Concert In The Garden.

Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance
Gladys Knight shared the 2004 award (the first year it was presented) with Ray Charles. They won for "Heaven Help Us All," a track from his album, Genius Loves Company. The following year, CeCe Winans became the first woman to win on her own for "Pray."

Best Gospel Song
Yolanda Adams shared the 2005 award (the first year it was presented) for "Be Blessed," which she co-wrote with Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and James Q. "Big Jim" Wright. Two years later, Karen Clark-Sheard of the Clark Sisters became the first woman to win on her own for "Blessed & Highly Favored."

Best Latin Pop Album
Lani Hall won the 1985 award for Es Facil Amar.

Best Latin Rock, Urban Or Alternative Album
Shakira won the 2005 award for Fijación Oral Vol. 1.

Best Tropical Latin Album
Celia Cruz shared the 1989 award with Ray Barretto for Ritmo En El Corazon. Three years later, Linda Ronstadt became the first woman to win on her own for Frenesi.

(Paul Grein, a veteran music journalist and historian, writes regularly for Yahoo Music.)