The Grammy Awards on February 4, 2024, paid heartfelt tributes to late music icons, with Stevie Wonder, Annie Lennox, and Jon Batiste leading performances honoring Tony Bennett, Sinead O’Connor, and Clarence Avant, among others.
Stevie Wonder took the stage to pay homage to the legendary Tony Bennett, who passed away on July 21, 2023, at the age of 96. Wonder performed “The Best Is Yet to Come” and a virtual duet of “For Once in My Life” with Bennett, showcasing footage of the late artist on a big screen. Wonder highlighted Bennett’s love for art, peace, unity, and civil rights, expressing his enduring sorrow, saying, “Tony, I’m going to miss you forever.”
Annie Lennox collaborated with Wendy & Lisa to celebrate the late Sinead O’Connor by performing her hit “Nothing Compares 2 You.” Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman, formerly part of Prince’s band The Revolution, were involved in the original recording of the song written by Prince. Lennox concluded her performance by advocating for a ceasefire and world peace, paying tribute to O’Connor’s activism. Sinead O’Connor passed away on July 26, 2023, at the age of 56.
Lenny Kravitz took the stage to honor Clarence Avant, known as “The Godfather of Black Music,” who died in August 2023 at the age of 92. Avant, a key figure in labels like Venture Records and Sussex Records, and a manager for artists such as Little Willie John and Jimmy Smith, was remembered by Kravitz as a trusted mentor who believed in talents like Quincy Jones and Bill Withers.
The In Memoriam section continued with Jon Batiste, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Ann Nesby, and Cory Henry delivering a soulful performance that included renditions of “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean on Me,” and “Optimistic.” The segment paid homage to numerous artists, songwriters, performers, and music executives who passed away in the past year, including Jimmy Buffett, Chita Rivera, Burt Bacharach, Cynthia Weil, Magoo, Charlie Monk, Jerry Moss, Seymour Stein, and more.
Fantasia Barrino and Oprah Winfrey also took the stage to honor the late entertainer Tina Turner, creating a poignant and memorable tribute to the iconic artist. The Grammy Awards, through these heartfelt performances and acknowledgments, celebrated the enduring impact of these music legends on the industry and the world.
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