Grammys name Silk Sonic as openers and announce Taylor Hawkins tribute

Las Vegas, Nevada – The 64th Annual Grammy Awards announced its third round of music performers with Silk Sonic as the opener, and noted that a Taylor Hawkins tribute is in the works.

Silk Sonic (r.) was named as the opener for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, where a tribute for Taylor Hawkins (l.) is in the works.
Silk Sonic (r.) was named as the opener for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, where a tribute for Taylor Hawkins (l.) is in the works.  © Collage: IMAGO/ZUMA Press/Screenshot/Instagram/silksonic

On Wednesday, the Recording Academy announced that Silk Sonic will be the funk-tastic opening performers at Sunday's show at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The Grammys also unveiled its third round of performers with John Legend, Carrie Underwood, and J Balvin with Maria Becerra being added to Sunday's ceremony.

Producers are also set to highlight three musical genres that aren't typically part of the show – gospel, tropical Latin, and bluegrass – with performances by Maverick City Music, Aymée Nuviola, and Billy Strings.

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Other previously announced performers include Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Nas X, H.E.R., Jon Batiste, Chris Stapleton, and more.

The Foo Fighters were also named as performers last week. However, it's unclear whether the band will still perform after the tragic and untimely death of its drummer, Taylor Hawkins, which led them to cancel their world tour on Tuesday.

To honor the late-drummer's legacy, the Grammys are putting together a tribute for the ceremony.

Jack Sussman, the executive vice president of specials, music and live events for CBS, told Variety that while producers are still ironing out the details and logistics of the tribute, the Grammys would be honoring "his memory in some way."

"We want to figure out what is the right thing to do that is respectful to everyone involved. We’re patient. We’ll be planning right up until the very end," Sussman said.

The Grammys live telecast is slated to start at 8 PM EST on CBS, with Sussman promising to give viewers "the best night of music you could ever imagine."

"We’re celebrating an incredible year in music coming out of the pandemic," Sussman said.

Cover photo: Collage: IMAGO/ZUMA Press/Screenshot/Instagram/silksonic

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