Natalie Cole’s family wasn’t too happy with the tribute the Grammys paid to the late singer Monday night (Feb 15). A picture of Cole was featured in an “In Memoriam” video for artists who have recently died. Cole passed back in January, at the age of 65, due to health issues. She had a history of drug abuse and hepatitis, which led her to undergo a kidney transplant back in 2009.
“Words cannot express the outrage and utter disappointment at the disrespectful tribute, or lack thereof, to a legendary artist such as our sister,” Cole’s two sisters Timolin and Casey told Entertainment Tonight following the show.
Essentially, the family thought the tribute was too minimal considering how groundbreaking Cole’s career was. Not to mention how other musicians were commemorated as well in last night’s festivities like David Bowie and the Eagles’ Glenn Frey.
“Here is a woman who has been in the business for four decades, had 21 Grammy nominations and won nine Grammys. She deserves more than [to be a part of] a minute-and-a-half tribute,” her son, Robert Adam Yancy, added. “It was shameless the way they minimized her legacy. We will find solace in her legacy as well as her endless fans around the world.”