Grammy Producer Apologizes for Tribute That Omitted Joey Jordison

A producer behind this week’s 64th Annual Grammy Awards has apologized for the several omissions in the music awards show’s “In Memoriam” segment that honored musicians who died in the past year. Rock and metal fans were disappointed when the late Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison, plus Megaforce Records founder Jon Zazula and Moody Blues drummer Graeme Edge, were left out of the April 3 segment. Unfortunately, it’s a common occurrence at the Grammys.

On Thursday (April 7), Grammy Awards executive producer Ken Winston explained that the Recording Academy, the institution that selects Grammy nominations and votes for the winners, picks the list of names for the tribute — not the show’s producers. However, he acknowledged the exclusions while also proposing this year’s Grammys should’ve also honored those who died in the crowd crush at 2021’s Astroworld Festival.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Winston said, “Anybody who feels left out or feels almost snubbed by an in memoriam, I think from the bottom of our hearts, there can only be apologies because we go into this show only wanting to bring joy and love to people with music.”

He added, “As for the Astroworld victims, I think that’s a really fair point. I think, you know, maybe we should have done something.”

Jordison was a 2006 Grammy winner with Slipknot for their song “Before I Forget.” The band was nominated six more times while he was a member. He died at 46 last year.

Zazula wasn’t a musician, but his impact on the music world was massive. He’s often credited (along with his wife Marsha, who also passed last year) with discovering the Grammy-winning band and frequent Grammy performers Metallica. He died in February.

Edge, the longtime drummer for the Moody Blues who’s in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the act, was part of the song “Nights in White Satin” that’s in the Grammy Hall of Fame. He also died last year.

Other notable omissions included rock photographer Mick Rock, King Crimson and Foreigner’s Ian McDonald, Skid Row’s Johnny Solinger and Entombed’s LG Petrov.

Before the segment aired, host Trevor Noah explained it was the part of the show where Foo Fighters were to perform, before the recent death of their drummer, Taylor Hawkins, caused them to cancel. A video tribute to Hawkins played before the “In Memoriam” reel.

Musicians that were recognized included Meat Loaf and his songwriting partner, Jim Steinman, The Rolling Stones’ Charlie Watts, ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill, Screaming Trees singer Mark Lanegan, The Monkees’ Michael Nesmith and Woodstock organizer Michael Lang.

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Author: showrunner