Iconic artists take over the Grammys!
If you thought the Grammys was all about Gen Z-ers making music in their bedrooms these days, think again: the 2024 Grammys were just as much about iconic artists of yesteryear.
While young talent was – rightly – rewarded in spades at the 66th awards held in Los Angeles, there were also a number of seasoned artists who made noteworthy appearances and won noteworthy awards this year.
Here are a few of our favourite moments.
1. Celine Dion makes her award ceremony comeback
The headline from the show was undoubtedly Taylor Swift making Grammys history when she won the Best Album award for Midnights, becoming the first artist to win the prize for a fourth time – and Celine Dion returning from illness to award it to her has stolen just about as many column inches.
A former recipient of the best album award herself, 55-year-old Dion announced in December 2022 that she was suffering from rare neurological condition Stiff Person Syndrome, which – among other things – affected her vocal chords. She went on to cancel her upcoming world tour and has rarely been seen in public since.
“Those who have been blessed enough to be here at the Grammy awards must never take it for granted, the tremendous love and joy that music brings to our lives and to people all around the world,” she said as she took to the stage to hand Swift her historic accolade.
2. Joni Mitchell wins at 80
![Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell (C) accepts the Best Folk Album Grammy Award for "Joni Mitchell At Newport [Live]" with US singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile (R) during the Premiere Ceremony at the 66th annual Grammy Awards 2024](https://wpcluster.dctdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/02/shutterstock_editorial_14332144eex-25lwber0g.jpg)
Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell (C) accepts the Best Folk Album Grammy Award from US singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile (R) Pic: ETIENNE LAURENT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Iconic artists at the 2024 Grammys don’t come much bigger than Joni Mitchell, who added an impressive 11th Grammy award to her lifetime haul, winning Best Folk Album for Joni Mitchell At Newport [Live].
The 80-year-old Canadian-born singer also managed to notch up a personal Grammys first by performing at the ceremony. She sung a moving rendition of Both Sides Now, almost ten years after a brain aneurysm left her needing to relearn how to walk, talk and play the guitar.
3. Tracy Chapman gives a rare live performance of Fast Car
Tracy Chapman performing “Fast Car” at the Grammys 2024 Pic: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
Tracy Chapman won the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for Fast Car in 1989 (it was also nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year) – and, 35 years later, she returned to the award ceremony’s stage to perform it with Luke Combs, whose cover sent it soaring back into the charts in 2023.
Combs’s cover topped numerous music charts and in November, was named Song of the Year at the Country Music Awards, making 59-year-old Chapman the first Black songwriter to win the award.
4. Billy Joel performs his first new song in 17 years
Billy Joel performs at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, Show, 2024 Pic: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
Billy Joel might have last been nominated for a Grammy in 2002, but he returned to the spotlight for the 66th awards ceremony to perform Turn the Lights Back on – his first new song in 17 years.
The 74-year-old pop legend brought the evening’s proceedings to a close with his 80s hit You May Be Right.
5. Kylie Minogue wins her second Grammy – 20 years after her first
Kylie Minogue Pic: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
We can only imagine how Kylie’s heartrate went when she heard she had won the inaugural Grammy for Best Pop Dance Recording! She scooped the accolade for hit Padam Padam, from her 2023 album Tension.
The win helped the 55-year-old Australian songstress notch up an impressive stat: 20 years between two Grammy award wins. She had her first victory in 2004, scooping Best Dance Recording for Come Into My World.
Unable to make the ceremony, Minogue later said: “I’m very thankful I’ve had so many opportunities over the years to keep going.”
6. Meryl Streep adds Hollywood glamour to presenting
Meryl Streep and Miley Cyrus Pic: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
Anyone spying Meryl Streep on the red carpet would’ve been forgiven for thinking they’d strayed to the wrong awards ceremony! The 74-year-old Oscar winner, who looked chic in a white sequinned feather-trimmed suit, teamed up with son-in-law Mark Ronson to present the award for Record of the Year which went to Miley Cyrus for “Flowers”.
But that’s not all: Streep was herself a nominee, for Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording for Big Tree. It was her 7th Grammy nomination.
7. Annie Lennox, Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz and more celebrate lost greats
Annie Lennox performing at the Grammys 2024 Pic: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
The Grammys 2024 In Memoriam section featured iconic artists paying tribute to some fellow industry legends.
Performances from the likes of Annie Lennox, Stevie Wonder and Lenny Kravitz celebrated the legacy of – among others – Tina Turner, Sinead O’Connor and Tony Bennett.
The full list of Grammy Nominees & Winners 2024
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Leisa Millar
I'm a digital editor with experience of writing and editing for some of the UK's best-known women's lifestyle titles - and I'm delighted to count "The People's Friend" and "My Weekly" among them! A busy mum of three young children, I also host a parenting podcast called The SEN Mums' Career Club.
