Grammys Honors Brian Wilson, Bob Weir, D’Angelo in Memoriam Segment
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards featured a poignant In Memoriam segment honoring music legends lost in the past year, including Brian Wilson, Bob Weir, and D’Angelo. The ceremony air live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, hosted for the fifth consecutive year by Trevor Noah.
Tributes to Musical Icons
Bruce Springsteen delivered a touching tribute to Brian Wilson, the iconic Beach Boys member who passed away last summer at the age of 82. “The last of the Wilson brothers may be gone, but he leaves behind so many great songs, and good vibrations,” Springsteen expressed.
Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, who died at the age of 78 just a month earlier, was honored by his Dead & Company bandmate John Mayer. Mayer praised Weir’s songwriting genius, calling him “a messenger for the music he made” and highlighting his enduring impact on American music.
Notable Performances
Reba McEntire, performing at the Grammys for the first time, took the stage surrounded by flowers and candles, singing “Trailblazer” alongside Lukas Nelson and Brandy Clark. Post Malone honored Ozzy Osbourne with an electrifying rendition of “War Pigs,” featuring an all-star band that included Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Slash, and Duff McKagan.
Lauryn Hill made a memorable return to the Grammys, performing “Nothing Even Matters” in tribute to D’Angelo, who passed away at 51 last fall. The performance was part of a series of tributes showcasing various artists:
- Lucky Daye sang “Brown Sugar.”
- Raphael Saadiq and Anthony Hamilton performed “Lady.”
- Leon Thomas delivered “Devils Pie.”
- Bilal performed “Untitled (How Does It Feel).”
- Jon Batiste closed with “Africa” from Voodoo.
Celebrating Roberta Flack and Others
Lauryn Hill continued her tribute by honoring Roberta Flack, who died in February 2025. Hill performed “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” with Batiste, and Chaka Khan joined them for “Where Is the Love” alongside John Legend.
The segment concluded with a tribute to Sly Stone, who passed away in June 2025 at the age of 82, rounding out a night that celebrated the rich tapestry of lost musical talent.
Other Losses in the Music Industry
The past year saw the music world mourn numerous icons across various genres, including:
- Garth Hudson (The Band)
- David Johansen (New York Dolls)
- Clem Burke (Blondie)
- Raul Malo (Mavericks)
- D’Wayne Wiggins (Tony! Toni! Toné!)
- Ace Frehley (Kiss)
These tributes emphasized the heartfelt loss felt in the music community and the lasting legacies of those who have passed. The Recording Academy maintains a continuous list of industry losses, updating it frequently to honor the memory of influential figures.
