Brandi Carlile plays John Prine, Lionel Richie sings Kenny Rogers in COVID-length Grammys memorial tribute

An unusually long list of musicians, producers, and others involved the music industry were memorialized during Sunday night's Grammy Awards, reflecting a year in which COVID-19 ravaged performers along with the rest of humanity. The in memoriam segment included famous musicians as well as people most music fans wouldn't recognize, and three of the artists lost in 2020 — Little Richard, Kenny Rogers, and John Prine — were honored with live performances.
Brandi Carlile celebrated Prine with "I Remember Everything," a song that won him two posthumous Grammys on Sunday night.
Lionel Richie sang the Kenny Rogers hit "Lady," which Richie wrote. "I miss you Kenny," he said at the end.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Bruno Mars, with Anderson.Paak on drums, kicked things off with a tribute to Little Richard, a medley of "Long Tall Sally" and "Good Golly Miss Molly."
And Brittany Howard, formerly with Alabama Shakes, wrapped up the in memoriam segment with "You'll Never Walk Alone," a song from the musical Carousel that was a hit for Gerry Marsden, who died in January. Howard was accompanied on piano by Coldplay's Chris Martin.
The performers at this year's Grammys didn't have live audiences because of the pandemic, but Carlile told The Associated Press that didn't bother her too much. "This time I'm just performing for John Prine," she said. "It's just for John, and I know he's there."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Gavin Newsom's podcast debut is not going over well with some liberals
IN THE SPOTLIGHT The first episode of the California Governor and potential presidential candidate's 'This is Gavin Newsom' featured cozy conversation with far-right operative Charlie Kirk and a surprisingly conservative stance on transgender athletes
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Extremists still find plenty of digital spaces'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
South Carolina to execute prisoner by firing squad
speed read Death row inmate Brad Sigmon prefers the squad over the electric chair or lethal injection, his lawyer said
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published