Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince was recorded three months ago in January, during Grammy week, but aired for the first time on Tuesday (April 21st), marking the four-year anniversary since Prince’s passing. The late, great icon and his indelible legacy was celebrated by an all-star list of collaborators and admirers – including Sheila E., Gary Clark Jr., The Foo Fighters, Susanna Hoffs, Mavis Staples and many more – who all came together to perform a setlist of his cherished hits.
So far, the epic two-hour salute to The Purple One isn't available for streaming in Australia, but here are some highlights while we wait...
“Manic Monday” | Susanna Hoffs & Chris Martin
Prince wrote Bangles ‘Manic Monday.’ @SusannaHoffs and Coldplay Chris Martin perform their version. That man was such an artistic genius. #GRAMMYSalutePrince pic.twitter.com/xTFdOGVETY
… Rebecca Bond (@RebeccaBond007) April 22, 2020
Coldplay’s Chris Martin and the Bangles’ Susanna Hoffs harmonised beautifully on this tender, piano-led duet of the vibrant tune Prince originally penned for the pop-rock quartet back in 1986, under the pseudonym ‘Christopher’.
“Darling Nikki” | Foo Fighters
The Foo Fighters brought a shot of rock to the proceedings when they powered through this rendition of “Darling Nikki” from Prince’s 1984 masterpiece, Purple Rain. When Dave Grohl introduced the track, he recalled how the band originally recorded a cover of “Darling Nikki” back in 2003 and admits he’s not sure that Prince ever really “liked” their version that much – but clearly, he liked it enough to perform Foo’s “Best of You” at his Super Bowl halftime show four years later.
“Raspberry Beret” | Beck
Beck started a party with this performance of Prince’s ubiquitous single, “Raspberry Beret” from his 1985 album, Around the World in a Day, which culminated in a crowd sing-along.
“The Cross” | Gary Clark Jr. & Shiela E.
Blues guitarist, Gary Clark Jr. lent his extraordinary skills to a performance of “The Cross” and reminisced about the inspirational influence of Prince's virtuoso skill. He was joined by Prince’s famed collaborator, Sheila E. on drums to deliver the devotional ballad which originally appeared on his 1987 album, Sign O' The Times.
“Purple Rain” | Mavis Staples
Chicago's own Mavis Staples singing Purple Rain is glorious.#Prince pic.twitter.com/OglLQYtZPG
… Billy Krumb (@ClubhouseCancer) April 22, 2020
With her rocksteady, rapturous voice gospel star, Mavis Staples had the honour of the penultimate performance of the night, delivering a ferocious version of "Purple Rain," backed by Prince's former band The Revolution, featuring the mind-melting guitar work of Wendy Melvoin.
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