Chaka Khan (left), and Whitney Houston perform during the finale of the VH1 DIVAS LIVE '99 at the Beacon Theatre in New York on Tuesday, April 13. Other performers include Brandy, Tina Turner, and Cher, with a special performance by Elton …
Grammy Awards start, but overshadowed by Houston's death
Posted: 02/12/2012
LOS ANGELES - The Grammys got under way on Sunday, with the Recording Academy trying to focus on music's biggest night after of the death of one of music's biggest names — Whitney Houston.
Houston died on the eve of the Grammys at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where she was preparing to attend a pre-Grammy party. Her death cast a huge shadow over the event, and after Bruce Springsteen opened the show, host LL Cool J said: "There is no way around this. We've had a death in our family."
The actor-rapper then said a prayer for Houston as stars like Lady Gaga and Miranda Lambert bowed their heads in silence.
Then, LL Cool J introduced a clip of a glowing Houston singing one of her best-known songs, "I Will Always Love You."
LL Cool J then said: "Whitney, we will always love you."
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Online: http://www.grammys.com
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Nekesa Mumbi Moody is the AP's Music Editor. Follow her at http://www.twitter.com/nekesamumbi
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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