Jill, Janelle and India was a let down. Hated it. They should have let MJB & George Michael do As which was on both of their Overseas projects.

MJB could have done her cover of Overjoyed.

Gaga killed it, like she did with the Sting tribute.

I watched it and liked most of the performances. At one point I swear I was watching Maya Rudolph do her Beyonce immitation that she did on the "SNL 40th Anniversary" show - as it seems Beyonce really does do that.


Annie Lennox could sing the f-ing phone book and make it sound A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, just as she did the hard-to-sing Stevie Wonder song, My Cherie Amore. Good grief I sure hope 'Nostalgia' isn't her final album (as she has hinted in interviews). She needs to find a good record label and producer. Her talents are just too good to let her retire or fade off into the sunset! And Gaga was fantastic too. WTF doesn't she just be herself and play/sing like that more often? Yes, keeping it simple can be a good idea... (And thank goodness she and Bennett didn't duet in this tribute, although it was great hearing and seeing Tony Bennett do his own thing -- and knock it out of the park!)

I was disappointed that some people were not there. Apparently, they do not have projects, albums, and tours of their own to promote.

- Lionel Ritchie?

- Dionne Warwick? (Okay, maybe she is holding vigil in a hospital in Atlanta...)

- Cyndi Lauper?

- Paul McCartney? (Could have done the 'Ebony & Ivory' duet instead of a video greeting.)

- Chaka Khan (Who better to sing Signed, Sealed, Delivered ?!?!?)

- Diana Ross (She once told a story about giving a little Stevie Wonder cookies in the Motown studio.)

- We could always use Sheila E. on percussion!

- Prince & En Vogue (Anyone remember So What the Fuss ???)

In fact, I would gladly give my left arm if Prince would have been there to perform Living For the City as a tribute - as that would have been amazing too!

[Edited 2/17/15 17:32pm]

JoeBala said:

This version would have killed everyones performances and I didn't even see it yet(DVR'd it)

I've never heard that before. I'd like it more with a full band but Marc sings it well.

Superstition said:

even a tribute to the actual Songs In The Key of Life album.

that wasnt gonna happen with him on tour currently performing the whole project.

SeventeenDayze said:

Three songs AND opening the show? Man, whose idea was that? I am sick of this tramp, seriously!

I get your point but if an Entertainment Producer is LUCKY enough to get a Star of Beyonce's caliber to say "yes" to anything then he's going to "milk-the-Cow"...History shows that a Producer will ask the ICON who they'd like to see perform...Beyonce is the biggest thing since Skim Milk and none of us should be surprised that she was asked to sing 3 songs. Beyonce is vocally "capable" of paying Tribute to an ICON like Mr. Wonder.

Stevie's lost some weight. He's looking healthier again.

I'm watching the Beyonce performance as of typing this. Nothing wrong with it. She's a professional singer, unlike so many other starlets that rely just on their looks. She should be known for performances like this and not for all the attention grabbing bullshit that career has mostly consisted of.

novabrkr said:

Okay, yeah. It did have that attention grabbing element there, but at the very least she didn't make it all about her. She made it clear from the start that she was there for Stevie and when she was on stage she was like a singer in a band, giving a good amount of room for others too.

btw, I thought that Sheeran guy pulled off a surprisingly good vocal performance.

FormerlyKnownAs said:

I watched it and liked most of the performances. At one point I swear I was watching Maya Rudolph do her Beyonce immitation that she did on the "SNL 40th Anniversary" show - as it seems Beyonce really does do that.


Annie Lennox could sing the f-ing phone book and make it sound A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, just as she did the hard-to-sing Stevie Wonder song, My Cherie Amore. Good grief I sure hope 'Nostalgia' isn't her final album (as she has hinted in interviews). She needs to find a good record label and producer. Her talents are just too good to let her retire or fade off into the sunset! And Gaga was fantastic too. WTF doesn't she just be herself and play/sing like that more often? Yes, keeping it simple can be a good idea... (And thank goodness she and Bennett didn't duet in this tribute, although it was great hearing and seeing Tony Bennett do his own thing -- and knock it out of the park!)

I was disappointed that some people were not there. Apparently, they do not have projects, albums, and tours of their own to promote.

- Lionel Ritchie?

- Dionne Warwick? (Okay, maybe she is holding vigil in a hospital in Atlanta...)

- Cyndi Lauper?

- Paul McCartney? (Could have done the 'Ebony & Ivory' duet instead of a video greeting.)

- Chaka Khan (Who better to sing Signed, Sealed, Delivered ?!?!?)

- Diana Ross (She once told a story about giving a little Stevie Wonder cookies in the Motown studio.)

- We could always use Sheila E. on percussion!

- Prince & En Vogue (Anyone remember So What the Fuss ???)

In fact, I would gladly give my left arm if Prince would have been there to perform Living For the City as a tribute - as that would have been amazing too!

[Edited 2/17/15 17:32pm]

I was disappointed that Chaka, Diana, Gladys or more of the surviving Motown alumni weren't there to perform. Not surprised. Just disappointed. I guess the Grammys was trying to draw in a younger audience with their picks.

kitbradley said:

I was disappointed that Chaka, Diana, Gladys or more of the surviving Motown alumni weren't there to perform. Not surprised. Just disappointed. I guess the Grammys was trying to draw in a younger audience with their picks.

Oh yes, booking Tony Bennett to sing "For Once In My Life" to rope in a younger audience!

How can a person complain about a program like this? Because your personal dream team was not selected?

FormerlyKnownAs said:

I was disappointed that some people were not there. Apparently, they do not have projects, albums, and tours of their own to promote.

I think the Grammy Salute is a nice thing to put together when you've got all those folks already in town. It was partially produced from convenience.

Chancellor said:

SeventeenDayze said:

Three songs AND opening the show? Man, whose idea was that? I am sick of this tramp, seriously!

I get your point but if an Entertainment Producer is LUCKY enough to get a Star of Beyonce's caliber to say "yes" to anything then he's going to "milk-the-Cow"...History shows that a Producer will ask the ICON who they'd like to see perform...Beyonce is the biggest thing since Skim Milk and none of us should be surprised that she was asked to sing 3 songs. Beyonce is vocally "capable" of paying Tribute to an ICON like Mr. Wonder.

Cinny said:

kitbradley said:

I was disappointed that Chaka, Diana, Gladys or more of the surviving Motown alumni weren't there to perform. Not surprised. Just disappointed. I guess the Grammys was trying to draw in a younger audience with their picks.

Oh yes, booking Tony Bennett to sing "For Once In My Life" to rope in a younger audience!

How can a person complain about a program like this? Because your personal dream team was not selected?

Tony Benett was there because of his high-profile album with Lady GaGa. Otherwise, we all know there is no way in hell Tony Bennett would have normally been invited to perform at a Stevie Wonder tribute. Please!

[Edited 2/18/15 9:56am]

kitbradley said:

Cinny said:

Oh yes, booking Tony Bennett to sing "For Once In My Life" to rope in a younger audience!

How can a person complain about a program like this? Because your personal dream team was not selected?

Tony Benett was there because of his high-profile album with Lady GaGa. Otherwise, we all know there is no way in hell Tony Bennett would have normally been invited to perform at a Stevie Wonder tribute. Please!

[Edited 2/18/15 9:56am]

Maybe, but they've already collaborated together on Bennett's own hit record:



Stevie Wonder is not exactly young himself, so obviously they would also want the older viewers to stay on channel. That type of music is what many people that go to such expensive (I assume) events expect to hear in any case.

kitbradley said:

Cinny said:

Oh yes, booking Tony Bennett to sing "For Once In My Life" to rope in a younger audience!

How can a person complain about a program like this? Because your personal dream team was not selected?

Tony Benett was there because of his high-profile album with Lady GaGa. Otherwise, we all know there is no way in hell Tony Bennett would have normally been invited to perform at a Stevie Wonder tribute. Please!

But it's not like they performed together.

Their big album together is why they were in town for the Grammys, which is how the program was produced. Just sit back and enjoy!

My only complaint is that Sam Smith didn't do a number, but he has been so busy on tour that I am surprised he made it to the actual Grammys.

laurarichardson said:

Chancellor said:

I get your point but if an Entertainment Producer is LUCKY enough to get a Star of Beyonce's caliber to say "yes" to anything then he's going to "milk-the-Cow"...History shows that a Producer will ask the ICON who they'd like to see perform...Beyonce is the biggest thing since Skim Milk and none of us should be surprised that she was asked to sing 3 songs. Beyonce is vocally "capable" of paying Tribute to an ICON like Mr. Wonder.

---------- Beyonce is vocally "capable" of paying Tribute to an ICON like Mr. Wonder On what planet can she be capable.

Beyonce sang Little Stevie's "Fingertips (Part 2)" which she is completely capable of singing.

Okay, hands up, who as of Wednesday February 18th didn't even watch the program before clicking on this thread to complain?

getxxxx said:

Cinny said:

laurarichardson said:

---------- Beyonce is vocally "capable" of paying Tribute to an ICON like Mr. Wonder On what planet can she be capable.

Beyonce sang Little Stevie's "Fingertips (Part 2)" which she is completely capable of singing.

Being capable and doing a good job are two different things. My five year old is capable of singing " "Fingertips " but he would not do a good job.

The lack of soul or feeling in her performance and many of the other performances was mind boggling.

Next you orgers will say the band Perry was funking it up with their awful version of

"You Haven't Done Nothing"

Cinny said:

kitbradley said:

FormerlyKnownAs said:

I watched it and liked most of the performances. At one point I swear I was watching Maya Rudolph do her Beyonce immitation that she did on the "SNL 40th Anniversary" show - as it seems Beyonce really does do that.


Annie Lennox could sing the f-ing phone book and make it sound A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, just as she did the hard-to-sing Stevie Wonder song, My Cherie Amore. Good grief I sure hope 'Nostalgia' isn't her final album (as she has hinted in interviews). She needs to find a good record label and producer. Her talents are just too good to let her retire or fade off into the sunset! And Gaga was fantastic too. WTF doesn't she just be herself and play/sing like that more often? Yes, keeping it simple can be a good idea... (And thank goodness she and Bennett didn't duet in this tribute, although it was great hearing and seeing Tony Bennett do his own thing -- and knock it out of the park!)

I was disappointed that some people were not there. Apparently, they do not have projects, albums, and tours of their own to promote.

- Lionel Ritchie?

- Dionne Warwick? (Okay, maybe she is holding vigil in a hospital in Atlanta...)

- Cyndi Lauper?

- Paul McCartney? (Could have done the 'Ebony & Ivory' duet instead of a video greeting.)

- Chaka Khan (Who better to sing Signed, Sealed, Delivered ?!?!?)

- Diana Ross (She once told a story about giving a little Stevie Wonder cookies in the Motown studio.)

- We could always use Sheila E. on percussion!

- Prince & En Vogue (Anyone remember So What the Fuss ???)

In fact, I would gladly give my left arm if Prince would have been there to perform Living For the City as a tribute - as that would have been amazing too!

[Edited 2/17/15 17:32pm]

I was disappointed that Chaka, Diana, Gladys or more of the surviving Motown alumni weren't there to perform. Not surprised. Just disappointed. I guess the Grammys was trying to draw in a younger audience with their picks.

THANKYOU they all should have been up there!

laurarichardson said:

Cinny said:

Beyonce sang Little Stevie's "Fingertips (Part 2)" which she is completely capable of singing.

Being capable and doing a good job are two different things. My five year old is capable of singing " "Fingertips " but he would not do a good job.

The lack of soul or feeling in her performance and many of the other performances was mind boggling.

Next you orgers will say the band Perry was funking it up with their awful version of

"You Haven't Done Nothing"

Okay I hear ya, laurarichardson.

scorp84 said:

Cinny said:

Okay, hands up, who as of Wednesday February 18th didn't even watch the program before clicking on this thread to complain?

*Raising both hands to the sky* I didn't! Luckily, I caught wind of this after it had already aired. All I needed to hear was "performed by today's artists" and I was completely sold...on the fact that I would hate it if I were to see it. Stevie Wonder is one of the few artists I listen to when I need to drown out today's "artists".

But did you know Stevie also performed??? He did "Contusion" for crying out loud!

Cinny said:

Stevie did more than one--he did several songs. Best part of the show.

I didn't have a problem with Lionel Richie, Prince, Diana Ross, Paul McCartney and other artists that have collaborated or known Stevie for a long time. Stevie's career spans 5 decades and today's artists are still inspired by the music he made in the '60s and '70s. Although some performances were hit and miss, it was great to see contemporary artists like The Band Perry and Lady Gaga pay homage to his work.

bashraka said:

scorp84 said:

Cinny said:

But did you know Stevie also performed??? He did "Contusion" for crying out loud!

Good, but I just look at it this way; "Thriller" performed by [anybody not named Michael Jackson] and "Purple Rain" performed by [all but Prince]. It's an immediate turnoff for me. A one-off performance at a show is one thing, but the entire album? Pass.

They didn't do the whole album... only a couple of songs from the album were done, the performances were from Stevie's whole carerer. It was basically a bunch of one-off performances, with the exception of Tony Bennet's 'For Once In My Life', which he has done for years, including a grammy winner with Stevie Wonder, I think.

I actually think a tribute to the album would have been more enjoyable, we've seen these tribute shows to Stevie done many times in the past.

scorp84 said:

Cinny said:

But did you know Stevie also performed??? He did "Contusion" for crying out loud!

Good, but I just look at it this way; "Thriller" performed by [anybody not named Michael Jackson] and "Purple Rain" performed by [all but Prince]. It's an immediate turnoff for me. A one-off performance at a show is one thing, but the entire album? Pass.

You literally don't know what you missed, because they weren't only doing Songs In The Key Of Life.