Prince, George Michael to get Grammy tributes

Organisers have not revealed which artists will take part in the specific tributes


Reuters February 09, 2017
FILE PHOTO -- U.S. musician Prince performs for the first time in Britain since 2007 at the Hop Farm Festival near Paddock Wood, southern England July 3, 2011. REUTERS/Olivia Harris/File Photo

Late singers Prince and George Michael will be honoured at the 59th Grammy Awards on Sunday with separate tributes, but organisers have not revealed which musicians will perform them.

Recording Academy President Neil Portnow said Purple Rain singer Prince, and British star Michael, who both died suddenly in 2016, were "pop icons who showcased rare musical genius and otherworldly charisma."

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The Recording Academy said it was not announcing details of the tributes and who will participate.

"The passings of two such creative innovators were a huge loss for the creative community; The Recording Academy is humbled to pay homage to their tremendous legacies on the Grammy stage," Portnow added in a statement.

Prince, a seven-times Grammy winner, was found dead at his Minneapolis studio complex in April. An autopsy revealed the 57 year-old died of an accidental overdose of the painkiller fentanyl.

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Michael, 53, known for songs like Last Christmas and Freedom, was found dead at his British home on Christmas Day. The double Grammy winner's manager said the singer died of heart failure, but the official cause is still being investigated.

David Bowie, who died in January 2016, was honoured at last year's Grammys in a tribute performed by Lady Gaga.

Bowie's final release, Blackstar, is competing for four Grammys at the awards show in Los Angeles on Sunday, including Best Alternative Album.

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