Think the Grammy lineup somehow needed even more firepower? U2, Kid Rock, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Rihanna have just been added to the already incredible list of performers at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, airing Sunday, February 8th. Let’s look at the roster now: Radiohead, Coldplay, Paul McCartney with Dave Grohl, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Jay-Z, T.I., Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Jonas Brothers, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Kenny Chesney, plus those four huge acts announced this morning. That’s like a dream Coachella lineup. While we credit the Grammys with doing everything humanly possible to convince people to watch this year’s broadcast, we have to wonder how they are going to have time to hand out awards. How long will this monster show run?
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss are up for five awards, including the prestigious Album of the Year. Now Ne-Yo is the lone Album of the Year candidate not performing at the show.
U2 aren’t up for any awards, but they’re U2 and have a new album coming out and Bono has some special pass that lets him play anywhere, anytime he wants, so playing the Grammys on the biggest night in music makes perfect sense.
Rihanna is up for three awards, including Best Dance Recording for “Disturbia.” We’re predicting it right now: Bet on Rihanna being a part of that super-medley featuring Kanye, Jay-Z and T.I. doing “Swagga Like Us,” T.I. and Timberlake performing a song (probably “If I”) together and then assume T.I. and Rihanna will duet on “Live Your Life.” Likewise, while Kid Rock is nominated for Best Rock Album and Best Male Vocal Pop Performance for “All Summer Long,” we’d be shocked if Mr. Rock N Roll Jesus doesn’t share the stage with Lil Wayne at some point, like they did at the Country Music Awards.
With the addition of U2, this year’s telecast will feature arguably the three biggest bands on the planet right now (U2, Radiohead, Coldplay) along with the three biggest rappers (Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne) and a Beatle (McCartney.) Well done, Grammys. The Grammys also revealed the initial slate of special guest presenters: Jack Black, Duffy, actor Simon Baker, Charlie Haden, Josh Groban and Gwyneth Paltrow, who we’re really hoping introduces her husband’s band. Also, Samuel L. Jackson! We’re officially stoked for the Grammys, set to air live on February 8th from Los Angeles’ Staples Center. And be sure to check out of Grammy Faceoff ‘09 as our panel of celebrity experts predict these year’s winners in the biggest categories:
And the Winner Is… Grammy Faceoff ‘09
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U2, Kid Rock, Plant & Krauss and Rihanna Added as Grammy Performers
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