GRAMMY BITS: Pharrell gets ‘Happy’ but it’s awkward
Pharrell Williams accepts the award for best pop solo performance for “Happy” at the 57th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, in Los Angeles. AP
LOS ANGELES, United States – A collection of colorful moments at Sunday’s 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles as reported by Associated Press journalists on the scene:
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QUICKQUOTE
“This is super awkward and I’m going to moonwalk my way off this stage right now.” — Pharrell Williams accepting the Grammy for pop solo performance for “Happy.”
— Sandy Cohen — www.twitter.com/APSandy
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STOPPING GRAMMY HUNGER
Kaskade’s Grammy fashion statement was inspired by worries about hunger and low blood sugar hitting him during the long-running show.
His metallic blazer looks a lot like rock candy.
“If you lick it, you’ll be OK,” he quipped.
The Grammy nominee also says he’s pleased that EDM has finally come of age in the eyes of the people who hand out the Grammys.
There are now three categories for dance music, including best non-classical remixed recording, the one in which Kaskade was nominated.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “It seems like just yesterday we were fighting for a category.”
— Derrik J. Lang — www.twitter.com/derrikjlang
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“He’s the one guy that’s always said no to parodies. I’m a big fan of Prince’s. IF he wants to go bowling or play Parcheesi with me, I’m certainly up for that.” — Best comedy album winner “Weird Al” Yankovic on whether he’ll try to meet Prince at the Grammys.
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“There are second acts in American life. I just showed up for work for 35 years and this is what happened.” — Rosanne Cash, who won three Grammys Sunday.
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SUCCESS WILL GO ON HIS HEAD
Every musician has his or her own Grammy ritual.
For “Weird Al” Yankovic, if he wins he takes the gramophone-shaped trophy and attaches it to his head.
“I’m kind of like a Grammy unicorn,” says the accordion-squeezing funnyman, who won his fourth Grammy on Sunday.
Yankovic, who won his first Grammy 30 years ago, says it’s still a thrill just to be in the running.
“I never get jaded about it,” he said.
— Derrik J. Lang — www.twitter.com/derrikjlang
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QUICKQUOTE
“If my mother was here tonight, she would not only be honored and thrilled to be holding her first Grammy, she would most likely have it copied and on the air on QVC by 11.” — Melissa Rivers, accepting the spoken-word Grammy on behalf of her mother, Joan Rivers, for “Diary of a Mad Diva.”
— Sandy Cohen — www.twitter.com/APSandy
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THAT’S WHAT A GRAMMY’S ALL ABOUT
How will Sam Smith celebrate after the Grammys?
He wants to go to In-N-Out, that overwhelmingly popular Southern California burger chain.
And don’t worry about all those calories he’ll rack up with a double-double or two. Smith says he’s been dieting just for this night.
He was nominated for six Grammys, including record, album and song of the year, something he called “surreal.”
But not as surreal as when Stevie Wonder asked him to drop by his dressing room. Wonder ended up performing one of Smith’s songs.
“That’s just crazy,” he said on the red carpet.
— Derrik J. Lang — www.twitter.com/derrikjlang .
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QUICKQUOTE
“I’m just happy people know who I am. Last year, no one knew who I was.” — Sam Smith, nominated for six Grammys, including record, album and song of the year.
— Derrik J. Lang — www.twitter.com/derrikjlang .
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THE VIDEO MUST GO ON
Whatever happens to Grammy nominee and performer Hozier, he has a music video to shoot after he’s finished with the Grammy Awards.
“Hangover or not, there will be a music video,” the nominee for song of the year said on Sunday’s red carpet.
— Derrik J. Lang — www.twitter.com/derrikjlang .
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MYSTERY PAIRING
Will the third time be the charm for Lang Lang?
After teaming with Herbie Hancock and Metallica for past Grammy performances, he’s back this year for another go.
This time it will be with — well — the Chinese concert pianist isn’t saying. But word is it will be with Pharrell.
He did hint that it will be with a popular male singer and feature an arrangement by Hans Zimmer.
“The Grammys are always filled with surprises, whether it’s making new friends or the performances,” he said before the show.
— Derrik J. Lang — www.twitter.com/derrikjlang .
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TODAY A GRAMMY; OSCAR NEXT?
Before Glen Campbell’s song heads to the Oscars, it was a winner at the Grammys.
“I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” from the documentary “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me,” won best country song at Sunday’s show. It’s nominated for best original song at the Academy Awards.
Campbell, who is battling Alzheimer’s disease, didn’t attend the Grammys.
“I am just so proud of him tonight … he’s been so courageous,” his wife, Kim Campbell, said onstage. “Sadly, he can’t be here with us because he’s in the late stages.”
She added: “Music I really believe kept him healthy.”
The Band Perry won best country duo/group performance for their cover of Campbell’s “Gentle On My Mind,” which appears on the documentary’s soundtrack.
— Mesfin Fekadu — www.twitter.com/MusicMesfin .
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YOUNGEST FAN
Chris Thile and Claire Coffee brought a very special plus-one to the Grammys: their unborn son.
“Grimm” actress Coffee said she’s prepared for the long ceremony with hydration and snacks.
“Shoes are more of an issue,” said Coffee alongside her husband, who is up for several awards with his band Punch Brothers.
If he loses in every category, Thile said, Coffee has promised to let him buy an expensive bottle of wine as a consolation prize.
— Derrik Lang — www.twitter.com/derrikjlang
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‘FROZEN’ GETS 2 GRAMMY WINS
The soundtrack for the animated tale “Frozen” burned the competition at this year’s Grammy Awards.
The top-selling recording won two awards, including best compilation soundtrack for visual media. Idina Menzel’s “Let It Go,” which also won songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez an Academy Award, took the Grammy for best song written for visual media.
“Thanks to everyone on YouTube,” Lopez said onstage. “This is also for both sets of our parents who had rough years this year.”
The “Frozen” soundtrack has sold close to 4 million units.
— Mesfin Fekadu — www.twitter.com/MusicMesfin
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TIESTO’S BIRTHDAY GIFT BECOMES GRAMMY WIN
DJ-producer Tiesto remixed a song for his birthday and now he has a Grammy for it.
Tiesto remixed John Legend’s pop ballad “All of Me,” which won the Grammy for best remixed recording, non-classical. Tiesto said he “made this remix spontaneously” for his birthday.
“I gave it away as a free download,” he said.
Tiesto said Legend enjoyed the remix so much that made it official. The version was a hit on pop radio in addition to the original version.
Legend’s live version of the song is nominated for best pop solo performance. The song peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
— Mesfin Fekadu — www.twitter.com/MusicMesfin
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