It was announced today that Lady Gaga will perform a medley tribute to David Bowie at this year’s Grammy Awards, which will be held on President’s Day, February 15.
Grammy executive producer Ken Ehrlich said in a press release that Gaga had been booked to perform before news of Bowie’s passing broke early in January, which is no surprise considering Gaga’s “‘Til It Happens to You” is up for Best Song Written for Visual Media this year. (See all of this year’s nominations here.) The statement also indicates that Nile Rodgers, who worked with Bowie on 1983’s Let’s Dance and, later, 1993’s Black Tie White Noise, will provide musical direction.
Gaga’s being tapped for this should have been expected, given two things: first, the absolute necessity of a tribute to David Bowie; and second, the absolute boringness of most of the acts big enough to be considered for this task. Who else would the Grammys have chosen? Coldplay? U2? Paul McCartney? Beyoncé? Gaga is the most chameleonic of these performers, and the one most likely to do Bowie’s image justice, rather than just perform enthusiastic cover songs.
Also, let’s not forget 2015’s Grammy medley, which found Gaga excellently singing a big ol’ batch of Sound of Music songs to honor Julie Andrews.
The 2016 Grammy Awards will air Monday, February 15, at 8 p.m. LL Cool J will host.