Motown Records turns 60 years old in 2019, and the Grammys hosted a lively tribute to the legendary Berry Gordy who founded the Detroit label with performances by Jennifer Lopez, Smokey Robinson, and Ne-Yo.
First, J-Lo and Robinson introduced the performance with a harmonized version of The Miracles’ “The Tracks Of My Tears.”
A singing, dancing, wardrobe-changing J. Lo led a medley full of the iconic label’s greatest hits, including Jackson 5’s “Dancing Machine,” Marvin Gaye’s “Dancing In The Street,” The Marvelettes’ “Please Mr. Postman,” and Barrett Strong’s “Money.”
Lopez then revealed a silver leotard for a choreographed dance number, followed by Smokey Robinson sauntering to the stage to perform “My Girl.” Alicia Keys joined to perform “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” while Ne-Yo joined at the tail end to perform Stevie Wonder’s “Another Star.”
Sunday’s performance was perhaps a preview for Tuesday’s Motown 60: A Grammy Celebration show at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theatre, where Robinson, Diana Ross, and Wonder will perform. The show will air on Easter Sunday on April 21, 2019 on CBS.
Watch a snippet of the Grammys’ Motown tribute performance below.
Jennifer Lopez was amazing tonight. Take that haters!@JLo proved once again she can dance, sing and keep going. We celebrate #Motown with her. I grew up near Detroit and Motown is in my soul. #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/R54aqLqk39
— Rebecca Aguilar (@RebeccaAguilar) February 11, 2019