Watch CBS News

Grammys preview: Behind the scenes as artists gear up for music's biggest night

The 56th annual Grammy Awards will be held Sunday night. The show will air on CBS and features a who's-who of music's biggest names. For the third year in a row, Grammy winner LL Cool J is hosting the ceremony.

He told “Entertainment Tonight’s” Nancy O’Dell that as great as this show usually is, he promises this year's is going to top them all.

“I will tell you, definitely don't miss the opening,” he said. “The opening is gonna be crazy.”

However, LL Cool J when asked, would not “confirm or deny” rumors that Beyonce and Jay Z might perform together at the awards show.

 “This show will be one of the most entertaining shows that people have watched in years in terms of music,” he said. “It covers all genres, different generations, you have icons.”

O’Dell also spoke too many of the stars this week as they geared up for the big show.

Lorde, the 17-year-old from New Zealand, is up for Record of the Year and three other Grammys.

“You know, a year ago I couldn't even think that this would happen,” she said. 

There will also be surprising duets, like the pairing of Miranda Lambert and Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong.

"I think it's great,” said Lambert. “That's what the Grammys is about, collaborations with people you may not ever cross paths with, you know?”

Music icon Carole King will be singing along with Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles on her hit "Brave."

“I'll keep back the song of mine that is gonna go with Sara's” said King. “But musically and lyrically, the songs fit together.”

But, who will wind up in the winners circle? Among the artists most nominated, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams,and the duo of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

“Their songs have a positivity that the Grammy Awards especially likes to promote,” said the Los Angeles Times’ pop music critic Randall Roberts.

The Grammy Awards are known for its unique collaborations, especially when it comes to combing current artists with legendary ones.  Blake Shelton will join Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Merle Haggard on stage. Robin Thicke is going to perform with Chicago.

Other performances include Katy Perry, Pink, Lorde, Taylor Swift, as well as Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. While both McCartney and Starr are scheduled to perform at the Grammys, the awards show is being very tight-lipped about whether they will be doing so together. 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.