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Green Day Tone Down, Tributes Shine at Grammys
02/14/2005 7:55 AM, Reuters
Sue Zeidler
The 47th Annual Grammys on Sunday
were long on tributes and short on controversy thanks to a
self-censored performance by punk trio Green Day and Sheryl
Crow 's peek-a-boo yellow gown, which covered just enough.
The Grammys were carried live on CBS, the same network that
drew fire and regulatory fines following Janet Jackson 's
now-infamous "wardrobe malfunction" at last year's Super Bowl.
So Green Day's performance of the group's title song from
its Grammy-winning and politically charged "American Idiot" was
a potential flashpoint for controversy.
But in a move apparently aimed to beat network censors,
lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong swallowed an obscenity during
the song, a rant against the media and complacency.
"Rock and roll can be dangerous and fun at the same time,"
said Armstrong, sporting heavy mascara and a pin-striped suit,
as the band picked up their Grammy for best rock album.
A big moment was an emotional duet by English newcomer Joss
Stone and Melissa Etheridge , whose bald head was testament to
her struggle with breast cancer. The two performed Janis
Joplin 's "Piece of My Heart" while the brother and sister of
the late blues balladeer cheered from the audience.
A spokesman for the National Academy of Recording Arts &
Sciences, which awards the Grammys, said CBS had the usual five
to 10 second delays in place for its broadcast, but had not
taken any special steps to censor performers.
"Frankly we feel the people have seen the tolerance level
and they know what they can get away with," said Grammys'
spokesman Ron Roecker.
The Grammys have also been the venue of choice for edgy and
sometimes flesh-baring fashion, most notably the navel-baring
gown worn by Jennifer Lopez at the 2000 Grammys.
The only distant echo on Sunday was Crow's dress, which she
wore onstage with cycling champion boyfriend Lance Armstrong,
joking it was made from one of his Tour de France jerseys.
Otherwise, the awards showcased some of the night's biggest
winners, including Alicia Keys, Kanye West and Usher, and paid
tribute to the late Ray Charles, whose album of duets was
honored with eight Grammys.
In an example of how the music industry has moved to
embrace digital distribution, stars gathered to perform a
rendition of the Beatles' "Across the Universe."
U2's Bono, country singer Tim McGraw, Aerosmith 's Steven
Tyler, Keys, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder and
others were among those who participated.
"I think we did an interesting and inspiring rendition,"
Velvet Revolver's Scott Weiland said backstage.
The Grammys also featured a melodramatic duet in Spanish by
Jennifer Lopez and her Grammy-winning husband Marc Anthony.
Reuters/VNU
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