Stevie Wonder at the 2024 Grammys.Photo:CBS
CBS
Stevie Wonderled the charge as stars paid tribute to the music legends we lost last year at the 2024Grammy Awardson Sunday night.
“I remember hearing Tony Bennett singing ‘For Once in My Life’ when I was like 13 or 14 years old,” Wonder, 73, began the tribute. “But what’s amazing is I was able to actually sing the song with someone that I admired for so long, not just because of his voice, which was incredible, but because of his art, his love for art, his love for peace, his love for unity, his love for civil rights.”
Stevie Wonder performing at the 2024 Grammys.JC Olivera/WireImage
JC Olivera/WireImage
“I remember as a little boy him being in places where most people would not even go stand for the right of freedom for everyone,” Wonder continued. “So Tony, we’re gonna miss you forever.”
The singer then kicked off first of several emotional tribute with a posthumous duet, playing the piano and singing “For Once In My Life” with a clip of Bennett that played on the screen.
After Wonder performed another Bennett track, “The Best Is Yet to Come,“Annie Lennoxtook the stage to honor legendary songwriter and activistSinead O’Connor.
Annie Lennox performs at the 2024 Grammys.Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
The “Sweet Dreams” singer, 69, honored O’Connor, whodiedlast July at age 56, with a touching rendition of her song, “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
Then, following a heartfelt introduction fromLenny Kravitz,Jon Batistetook the stage to honorClarence Avant, who is hailed as “godfather” of Black entertainment.
Finally, following a touching introductory remark from her friendOprah Winfrey, the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,“Tina Turnerreceived a high-energy tribute fromFantasia Barrino.
Barrino, 39, honored Turner — whodiedlast May at age 83 — with a powerful performance of Turner’s hit “Proud Mary,” complete with a stage full of backup dancers rocking the singer’s signature look: tiered fringe dresses.
The singer also made her way into the crowd, sharing a dance break withDua Lipaand encouraging all of the women in the audience to “move your feet for Tina Turner!”
Fantasia Barrino at the 2024 Grammys.Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Harry Belafonte,Jimmy Buffettand more musicians were also honored on-screen during the annual segment, which serves as a moment “to honor the lives of some of the incredible individuals that the music world lost this year,” per the Recording Academy’swebsite.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
See PEOPLE’s full coverage of the 66th annualGrammy Awardsas they’re broadcasting live on CBS from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
source: people.com
