R&B icon Whitney Houston will be remembered with a set of tribute performances at tonight’s Grammy Awards.
Recording Academy President and CEO Neil Portnow confirmed last night at Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party that Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan will honor Houston — who died unexpectedly yesterday in Los Angeles — Sunday night at the 2012 Grammy Awards.
“It’s too fresh in everyone’s memory to do more at this time, but we would be remiss if we didn’t recognize Whitney’s remarkable contribution to music fans in general, and in particular her close ties with the Grammy telecast and her Grammy wins and nominations over the years,” Ken Ehrlich, executive producer for the Grammys, announced on CNN.
Further details regarding the Whitney Houston tribute — which unfortunately had to be planned and put together at the last minute — are unknown. Neil Portnow issued the following statement yesterday:
“Six-time GRAMMY winner Whitney Houston was one of the world’s greatest pop singers of all time who leaves behind a robust musical soundtrack spanning the past three decades. Her powerful voice graced many memorable and award-winning songs. A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice.”
There are rumors floating around that Beyonce, Patti LaBelle and Celine Dion will also perform tonight at the Grammys, however those reports haven’t been confirmed.
