U2, Kid Rock, Plant/Krauss added to Grammy lineup

U2 aren't up for awards, but they do have some new material to play
U2 aren't up for awards, but they do have some new material to play

You say you want stars in your Grammy telecast? You've got 'em! U2, Kid Rock, Rihanna and the duo of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss have been added to a performance lineup for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, airing Sunday, 8 February.

Earlier this week we told you about Paul McCartney and Dave Grohl performing together. They join a list of acts that is starting to read like a three-day festival.

The lineup (so far)

Let's see...who have we got: In addition to the above names, there's Radiohead, Coldplay, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Jay-Z, T.I., Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Jonas Brothers, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Kenny Chesney, Pretty sweet.

"A really big shoe!"

Now that U2 have been added to the mix, this year's Grammys features what might be the three biggest bands on the planet: U2, Coldplay and Radiohead. Then figure the three biggest rappers in the world (Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne) and the always-awesome bragging rights of a Beatle (Paul McCartney), and in the immortal words of Ed Sullivan, "It's a really big shoe!"

Perhaps more interesting to us, however, is one of the presenters: Gwyenth Paltrow, as in wife of Coldplay's Chris Martin.

Hmmm...does she know something we don't? Just asking.

Joe Bosso

Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar WorldGuitar PlayerMusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.