Music News

Some Pre-Grammy Comments from Me

I was on CTV News Channel earlier today for a quick Q&A.  Here’s what happened.

1. What can we expect from Canadians up for awards tonight?

Here are some highlights:

  • Drake is up for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap song.  He also has a couple of nominees as a writer or featured performer for a total of five.
  • Robin Thicke is a dual citizen, so we can count him.  He has three nominations, all surrounding the Blurred Lines album.
  • The Weeknd has two
  • Micheal Buble has one
  • Country singer Deric Ruttan wrote a Blake Shelton song that’s nominated.
  • Cirkut (whose real name is Henry Walter) co-wrote “Roar” for Katy Perry.
  • And Neil Young and Crazy Horse are up for Best Album for Psychedelic Pill.

2. Some rock legends like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and David Bowie are among nominees for Best Rock Album.  Do you think one of them will take home the award?

  • Probably—because for the most part, the people who vote for the Grammys don’t have a clue. They almost always default to the familiar.

3. Is it surprising to see these names still up for this award at this stage in their careers?

  • Not really.  We have to remember that the Grammys are a populist event designed to bring in more record sales and big TV audiences.  If they were to populate the nominations with too many new and unfamiliar names, no one would watch or go buy the records tomorrow.

4. There are rumours that the surviving members of the Beatles may reunite tonight.  Do you think this will happen?

Yeah.  Here’s why.

  • The Grammys are on CBS.
  • CBS was home of The Ed Sullivan Show, where the Beatles made their American TV debut 50 years ago next month.
  • The Ed Sullivan Theatre still exists.  It’s home to David Letterman.
  • David Letterman is on CBS.
  • Letterman wants McCartney and Ringo for his show leading up to that 50th anniversary.
  • Why?  Because the last live show that week is also Jay Leno’s last time hosting The Tonight Show.
  • The deal-making began long ago.  And it’ll make for great TV for the Baby Boomers.

5. How significant would it be to see Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr on stage together again?

  • Not as much as some people think.  They’ve appeared onstage together a number of times since the Beatles broke up. Still, I’m gonna watch.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 37925 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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