By his own account, Ken Ehrlich doesn’t toss around “amazing” as a descriptor very often.
The veteran TV producer has captained the Grammy Award telecasts since 1980 (this 2020 ceremony was his swan song) and the “Grammy Salute” specials since 2014, when an all-star lineup commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Beatles.
Elton John, the Bee Gees and Stevie Wonder are among the acts who have since earned their own showcases, taped a couple of nights following the Grammy Awards while the nucleus of the music community is still herded in the same city.
On Jan. 28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, a parade of familiar names from varying genres – Foo Fighters, Chris Martin, John Legend, Miguel, St. Vincent – convened to celebrate the music and legacy of Prince.
“Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince” will air at 9 p.m. ET April 21 on CBS and the recording, said Ehrlich, was “a pretty amazing night.”
“It’s the same way I judge the Grammy show – is the live audience there going to really get it? This show was like one of those…it was obvious that the audience was there because of their love for Prince.”
Airing on the fourth anniversary of Prince’s death wasn’t completely intentional – the “Salute” concerts almost always air in the spring, a few months after the Grammy Awards – but once it was noticed that the dates coincided, it seemed like kismet.
While Ehrlich gushes about many of the performances – Gary Clark Jr. and H.E.R. opening with “Let’s Go Crazy,” John Legend gospelizing “Nothing Compares 2 U,” Chris Martin and Susanna Hoffs paring “Manic Monday” into a piano ballad – he is forthcoming about one artist he wished would have participated.
“You never get everyone you want, and I’m not upset, but just a little disappointed that I thought she should have done it and felt she belonged there and that was Lizzo,” he said.
Ehrlich isn’t sure why the sizzling soul singer didn’t opt to participate.
"I can never get anyone to give me an honest answer about things like that," he said. "She had a really good night at the Grammys (Lizzo won three) and I thought she would have been a no-brainer to be part of this."
Nonetheless, with Common “versifying” “Sign O’ the Times,” the Foo Fighters ripping through band favorite “Darling Nikki,” Mavis Staples slaying “Purple Rain” and Usher’s Grammy performance of “When Doves Cry,” “Little Red Corvette” and “Kiss” dropping in for an encore, fans will have plenty of musical memories to savor.
And, of course, the historical eras of Prince will be represented with Sheila E, Morris Day & The Time and The Revolution taking the stage (spoiler alert – The Revolution closes out the night with Jimmy Jam and Sheila E rollicking through “Baby I’m a Star”).
“Everybody brought something to the show,” Ehrlich said. “And now that we’ve spent a month in our homes watching people sing in their living rooms – not that there’s anything wrong with that – it’s going to be a welcome change to see 3,000 people (in an audience) very excited on screen.”
About the Author
