PUNCH
The 66th Grammy Awards on Sunday offered up history-making wins, dazzling performances by new stars, poignant songs from legendary veterans and even a few surprises.
Here is a look at the unforgettable moments of music’s biggest night in Los Angeles:
– Surprise guest: Celine Dion –
For the final award of the night, organizers of the gala had a big surprise: pop diva Celine Dion, who has been battling the rare neurological disorder Stiff-Person Syndrome, emerged from backstage to a standing ovation.
“When I say that I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart,” Dion said, to more applause.
Those who have been blessed enough to be here at the Grammy Awards must never take for granted the tremendous love and joy that music brings to our lives and to people all around the world,” she added.
She then presented the Album of the Year award to Taylor Swift for “Midnights” — a history-making fourth for the 34-year-old pop artist.
Dion, 55, has been forced to cancel a string of shows over her condition, a progressive disorder for which there is no cure. Symptoms include stiff muscles in the torso, arms and legs, with noise or emotional distress known to trigger spasms.
– Joni, Tracy, Billy –
Joni Mitchell brought the room to tears as she performed her beloved track “Both Sides Now,” fresh off a win for Best Folk Album for her live record “Joni Mitchell at Newport.”
Stars including Meryl Streep and Beyonce swayed to the music as Mitchell performed from an armchair — a literal throne — surrounded by famous collaborators including Brandi Carlile, who hailed the icon as “the matriarch of imagination, a true Renaissance woman, my hero and yours.”
“We all know she’s timeless. If we are so lucky that history remembers any of us, one thing I know for sure is that it will remember that we lived in the time of Joni Mitchell,” Carlile said.
Tracy Chapman delivered a moving rendition of her 1988 classic “Fast Car” with country star Luke Combs, who found streaming success with a cover of the track.
It was a rare public appearance from Chapman, whose crystal-clear vocals had many audience members swaying and singing along, including Swift.
And “Piano Man” Billy Joel closed the night with the first live performance of his first original single in nearly two decades, “Turn The Lights Back On.”
– Striking performances –
The gala opened with electrifying sets from Dua Lipa, who wore skimpy black leather as a troupe of dancers writhed in an onstage cage, while triple winner SZA offered a revenge fantasy for her…
