Last night, at the most performance-intense Grammy awards in the ceremony’s 52 years, Michael Jackson, who died this summer, should have stolen the show.
But the much-publicized tribute to Jacko at the Staples Center — during which he was presented with a lifetime achievement award — failed to stir up much excitement.
After a brief introduction by his friend and “We Are The World” co-writer, Lionel Richie, an all-star choir featuring Smokey Robinson, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Usher and Carrie Underwood sang along with a recording of Jackson’s eco-friendly “Earth Song.”
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The audience was told it was time to don the 3-D glasses they’d been given for the full effect of the accompanying video, which was supposed to have been the centerpiece of Jacko’s “This Is It” tour.
The depth of the images was dramatic. But the effect fizzled in the second part of the segment when the focus was on the live performance.
The song is very pretty and the back-up singing was tops, but it was a far cry from the thriller performances for which most of us remember Jackson.
And then there were the moving — but not well rehearsed — speeches by the Jackson kids.
Sometimes stumbling over his words, Prince Michael, 12, thanked God and his grandparents for looking after him and his siblings in the months since his father died.
“In all his songs, [my father’s] message was simple: love. We will continue to spread his message and help the world,” the boy said.
Eleven-year-old Paris added, “Daddy was supposed to be here, he was gonna perform this year, but he couldn’t perform last year. Thank you, We love you, Daddy.”
The entire Jacko segment failed to live up to the hype.
The real thrillers of the night were Lady Gaga, Elton John and Beyoncé.