The perfect tribute to Kenny Rogers at the Grammy Awards.
Who else could they have gotten to honor Kenny but his longtime friend and the writer of one of his biggest hits, Lionel Richie.
During the “In Memoriam” segment of the show, Richie delivered a touching tribute to Kenny with a performance of “Lady,” the song written by Richie that had been turned down by his own band, the Commodores. Richie eventually pitched what he had of the song (originally called “Baby”) to Kenny, who asked Richie to finish the song so that he could record it.
After Richie finished the song in a bathroom at the studio the day Kenny was set to record it, “Lady” would eventually go on to become one Kenny’s biggest songs, and would also launch a friendship with Lionel Richie that lasted until Kenny’s death on March 20, 2020.
When I wrote “Lady“ for @_KennyRogers, little did I know it would be the start of a friendship that would last a lifetime. Singing this song at the #Grammys tonight, without Kenny there, was incredibly hard.
I miss you man. pic.twitter.com/uohwLZbQwZ
— Lionel Richie (@LionelRichie) March 15, 2021
So of course it was only fitting that the Grammys had Lionel Richie perform the tribute to Kenny Rogers – singing the song he wrote for the country music legend.
One thing about Lionel Richie… He wrote love songs you could feel. RIP to Kenny Rogers. #GRAMMYspic.twitter.com/KKiLllIZJh
— Jermaine (@JermaineWatkins) March 15, 2021
Also, catch Brandi Carlile‘s touching tribute to the late, great John Prine.
This is the last song our beloved @johnprinemusic ever wrote. It was an unspeakable honor to sing it tonight. Thank you to the Grammys for lifting our hero. Merry Christmas John 🎄
My rendition of “I Remember Everything” is out now. https://t.co/wKdS7SASvH
@recordingacademy pic.twitter.com/703oQO8TZg
— Brandi Carlile (@brandicarlile) March 15, 2021