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The Grammys have always been one of my most favorite nights of the year. As a music lover, how could it not? Some of the most iconic and memorable performances emanated from that star-studded stage. This Sunday will undoubtedly be no different.
Some of the queerest moments in recent music history have taken place at the Grammys, from Lady Gaga’s performance of “Born This Way” in 2011, to Queen Latifah officiating the marriages of 30 same-sex couples on stage in 2014.
But before I dive into my assessment of the artists that I am most excited about performing this year, I’d like to take you on a trip down memory lane to pay homage to and indulge in, some of the musical legends who paved the way for LGBTQ+ artists of today.
At the 1994 Grammys, Annie Lennox stunned the audience—she sang “Sweet Dreams” in drag, rocking an Elvis pompadour and sideburns. It changed the lives of countless fans, including a little girl named Stefani Germanotta a.k.a. Lady Gaga, who later paid tribute by hosting the VMAs as her alter ego, Jo Calderone. This was the same night Culture Club won Best New Artist and Boy George said, “Thank you, America—you’ve got style, you’ve got taste, and you know a good drag queen when you see one.” All told, a breakthrough in the history of pop androgyny.
At the 1999 Grammys, Ricky Martin was virtually unknown to English-speaking music fans when he stepped on the Grammy stage that night—but five minutes later, he was a star (not to mention, soon-to-be THE biggest gay heartthrob!!!) He made everyone else that night look like stiff amateurs, singing “La Copa De Vida” with enough energy, sex and showmanship to ignite the room. Nobody there remembered him from Menudo, but nobody ever forgot his name after this performance.
And yes – I saved the best for last. My girl, the incomparable Whitney “Nippy” Houston. Whitney was always linked with Grammy history (and her rumored partner, Robyn Crawford)—but especially at the 1994 ceremony, in the wake of The Bodyguard. She opened the show with the most spectacular performance of “I Will Always Love You,” showing off all the firepower and versatility of her voice. Later that night, she won Record of the Year. Eight years later, when Whitney died suddenly the night before the show, Jennifer Hudson sang a gorgeous version as a tribute.
This Sunday marks the 65th Grammy Awards. I am most excited to see Mary J Blige perform. I love Mary J for her passionate soulful voice, but most of all for her longstanding advocacy of the queer community. She’s up for six awards, including Record and Album of the Year, and will be taking to the stage as a performer, which is exactly what the gay gods would want. Let’s see if she can live up to her groundbreaking performance of “No More Drama,” at the 44th Grammy Awards in 2002. During her first debut solo performance, Blige received a standing ovation when she commanded every inch of the stage to belt an emotional version of the hit song. The performance made the Recording Academy and her peers notice Blige as one of the future greats.
Okay okay – the lesbian in me is equally jazzed about Brandi Carlile. The legendary lesbian folk artist will return to the Grammy stage for the second year in a row. At last year’s ceremony, she delivered an electrifying performance of her song “Right on Time” while standing in front of dozens of rainbow lights. Carlile was the most nominated woman at the 2019 Grammy awards, racking up three awards for best Americana album, best American roots song, and best American roots performance. This year, she’s up for a staggering seven awards, including Record of the Year and Album of the Year.
Queerguru’s Music Editor ALLISON ANANIS is a graduate of Bowdoin College and also holds a Master of Public Administration from Suffolk University. Currently, she works in Health and Human Services in Boston where she also resides with her wife Meg. Weekends are spent in Provincetown where the incessant playing of her eclectic choice of music very loudly brought her to the attention of Queerguru’s Editor
