They don't call it Music's Biggest Night for nothing.
With more than 100 gramophone-shaped trophies being handed out, a mini-festival of live performances and enough celebrities to fill L.A.'s Staples Center, the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards bash has so much going on, it's easy to miss something. To avoid that, here are 10 reasons to keep your eyes and ears peeled:
Mick Jagger's Lips
The Rolling Stones frontman is slated to make his long-overdue Grammy debut this year, performing during a tribute to late soul giant Solomon Burke. He'll be backed by Raphael Saadiq and his band. Sure, it would probably be better if Keith Richards were there, too -- but after that "tiny todger" crack in Keef's memoirs last year, nobody should be too surprised if he isn't at the party.
Northern Lights
Oh, Canada! Our home and native land has made one of its strongest Grammy showings in years, with more than a dozen artists taking part in 24 nominations in 22 categories. Everyone from Bieber, Bubl? and Drake to Arcade Fire, Neil Young and Rush are in the running for hardware this time around.
Cee Lo's F---ing Hit
Soul man Cee Lo Green's viral hit F--- You -- as opposed to its declawed cousin Forget You -- snagged four nominations in the record, song, urban/alternative and short video categories. And just to make the night even more surreal, he's slated to perform it with the help of Gwyneth Paltrow (who sang it on Glee) and the Jim Henson Company Puppets. Now ain't that some s---?
Old Dogs
No matter how hard they try to look hip, Grammy voters just can't let go of the past. This year's lineup of jurassic rockers includes guitar god Jeff Beck, Elton John and Leon Russell, Doors guitarist Robby Krieger, Ozzy Osbourne, Herbie Hancock, and nearly the entire solo rock vocal category -- Eric Clapton, Robert Plant, Young and Paul McCartney. What, no Jerry Lee Lewis?
Young Pups
Sure, Justin Bieber is the big kid on the block. But come on; dude's pushing 17. How much more can his aging bones take? Thankfully, relief is here -- 12-year-old Jaden (son of Will) Smith is slated to share the stage during the Biebs' performance this year. The good news: This could be the beginning of the end of Bieber Fever. The bad news: It could be the start of Jaden Jaundice.
Gaga-a-Go-Go
Madonna 2.0 is scheduled to play the awards for the second year in a row. And given that the titular single to her hotly anticipated new album Born This Way comes out the same day, it seems logical she'll give us a taste. But more importantly, what bizarre ensemble will she wear? I am putting my money down on a dress consisting of swarming bees.
Jackson Honours
Although still clinically dead, Michael Jackson is in the running for male pop vocal performance. His single This is It goes up against Michael Bubl?'s Haven't Met You Yet, Adam Lambert's Whataya Want From Me, Bruno Mars' Just the Way You Are and John Mayer's Half of My Heart. Don't be surprised if the Gloved One snatches this one.
The Pre-Game Show
If the 10 Grammys handed out during the telecast aren't enough for you, fire up the computer at 4 p.m. EST and go to
www.grammy.com. The other 98 trophies will be handed out over three hours.
Chris Brown & Rihanna Reunited
Awk-waaard: Brown's Deuces and his ex Rihanna's Eminem duet Love the Way You Lie face off in the rap/sung collaboration category. Even if his lawyers don't get his 100-yard restraining order lifted, it doesn't matter -- going against Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' Empire State of Mind and Bruno Mars and B.o.B's Nothin' on You, Brown shouldn't get within a mile of this award.
The Tweet Life
All the Grammy action doesn't happen in front of the cameras. I'll be back in the press room all day and night -- and when I'm not monitoring the broadcast, interviewing the winners or frantically writing copy under the gun, I'll be tweeting as fast as my fingers can fly. And once I finish that, there's always the after-party. Come along for the ride: twitter.com/Darryl_Sterdan.
The 53rd Grammy Awards
WHEN: Sunday, 8 to 11:30 p.m. EST on CBS & Global
WHERE: Staples Center, LA
PERFORMERS: Mick Jagger & Raphael Saadiq; Eminem; Justin Bieber & Usher with Jaden Smith; Lady Gaga; Katy Perry; an Aretha Franklin tribute featuring Chrsitina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Florence Welch and Yolanda Adams; Barbra Streisand; B.o.B & Bruno Mars with Janelle Mon?e; Drake & Rihanna; Cee Lo Green with Gwyneth Paltrow & Jim Henson Company Puppets; Arcade Fire; Lady Antebellum; Miranda Lambert; and Muse.
PRESENTERS: Marc Anthony, Jamie Foxx, Jewel, John Mayer, Pauley Perrette and Donnie Wahlberg, Dierks Bentley, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Neil Patrick Harris, Norah Jones, Kris Kristofferson, John Legend, LL Cool J, Nicki Minaj, Paramore, Seth Rogen and Blake Shelton.
Not a bad lineup
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