Yahoo News The most iconic Grammy performances: From Beyoncé's levitating chair to Elton John and Eminem's duet
Awards season is now in full swing, which means it’s almost time for music’s biggest night, the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.
This year’s Grammy Awards will take place at the Los Angeles' Staples Centre on Sunday, January 26.
While there may be chatter about who wins what and who wore what, the main talking points for the event usually stem from the performances by talented audience members – some of who will also be hoping to take an award home.
As Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish and Lizzo prep their vocals for the live stage this year, we take a look back at some of the most iconic moments.
Here are the best Grammy Awards performances from over the years …
Beyoncé balancing in the air while pregnant with twins (2017)
Making her first public appearance after announcing her that she was expecting twins, Beyonce caused jaws to drop on the floor with a medley from her critically acclaimed album Lemonade.
After being introduced by her mother Tina Lawson, Beyonce kicked off the performance with a monologue about motherhood before giving a soothing rendition of Love Drought and Sandcastles.
She sang on a levitating chair, while wearing a sequin-embellished gold gown and goddess-style headdress, as she cradled her baby bump.
Eminem and Sir Elton John join hands after performing on stage (2001)
Rapper Eminem and pop legend Sir Elton John joined hands as they came together for a duet of hit track Stan in 2001.
The six-minute spectacle saw Eminem showcase his effortless rap ability as he appeared in perfect form alongside Sir Elton’s husky vocals.
The collaboration sparked an unlikely friendship that went on to flourish.
Kendrick Lemar delivers a strong message (2016)
In 2016, Lamar made his political views clear with one of the most powerful rap performances the Grammy stage has ever seen.
Performing The Blacker The Berry and Alright from 2015’s To Pimp A Butterfly - which was nominated for Album of the Year and took home the trophy for Best Rap Album – he delivered his lines chained up as a prisoner and then ended it with the word Compton imposed over an image of Africa in allegiance with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Michael Jackson moonwalks (1988)
The singer entered the stage with a slow-downed version of The Way You Make Me Feel before sharing his signature moves and working into a medley of The Man In The Mirror.
Jackson had already debuted his famous moonwalk on TV in 1982 but it’s appearance at the 1988 Grammys still remains one of his most remembered artistic expressions.
Amy Winehouse performing from home (2008)
In 2008, Amy Winehouse delivered one the most memorable performances in award show history - and she wasn’t even there because her visa was denied.
She accepted awards and sang via satellite from London with footage of her singing You Know I’m No Good and Rehab remaining some of her most iconic moments.
Adele teaches us how a comeback should be done (2017)
Adele made her triumphant return with hit single Hello, which peaked at number one on the Billboard charts in 2015.
In 2017, the song was eligible for a Grammy and Hello was still a bigh it on the radio so her performance went down a treat.
Critics talked about receiving goosebumps as she stared into the camera singing, “Hello, can you hear me?”.
Bruno Mars and Cardi B’s energetic collaboration (2018)
Bruno Mars took his 90s inspired song and colourful themes to the stage with his hit Finesse and then added a Cardi B verse to the mix.
The fun performance was Cardi’s debut performance at the awards and set her up for multiple high-scale bookings in the future.
Jennifer Hudson’s Whitney Houston tribute (2012)
Whitney Houston passed away on February, 2012 just one day before the Grammys.
The legend's death sent heart-breaking shock waves through the industry as she had been attending pre-Grammy events that week.
It was only right that the ceremony, held in LA that year, helped fans process her death.
Hudson took on the task of honouring her with a deeply touching rendition of I Will Always Love which ended with the lines “Whitney, we love you.”
Prince and Beyoncé steal the show with an iconic performance (2004)
Is there anything more powerful than legends supporting legends?
In 2004 the Purple Rain icon and Crazy in Love hit-maker stole the show with their knock-out collaboration.
The pair wowed spectators with the powerhouse medley of their hit songs in a show-stopping stage show.
Lady Gaga’s Bowie tribute (2016)
Lady Gaga stormed the stage with Nile Rodgers in 2016 in a tribute to David Bowie.
The showcase saw Gaga sport Bowie’s signature flame-red hair for the occasion and merged together a slew of popular Bowie tracks including Space Oddity and Let’s Dance.
Although the performance didn’t go down too well with Bowie’s son Duncan Jones, who branded it “overexcited”, “irrational” and “mentally confused”, the performance was definitely a noteworthy Grammys moment.
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