Metallica to Perform at the Grammy Awards with Classical Pianist Lang Lang

2013-01-14

Story by Charles Ken

Metallica will take the stage at the 56th annual Grammy Awards with classical pianist Lang Lang

Metallica have been tapped to perform at the 56th annual Grammy Awards on Jan. 26. In Grammy tradition, Metallica will collaborate with another artist at the ceremony, and it’s an unlikely pick: classical pianist Lang Lang, who is also the Grammy Cultural Ambassador to China.

It’s been over two decades since Metallica have performed at the Grammy Awards—23 years, specifically. The metal band last performed at the ceremony back in 1991, the same year they released “The Black Album.”

Metallica, in total, have picked up eight Grammys in their career. This year, the band’s art directors – directors Bruce Duckworth, Sarah Moffat, Brian Steele and David Turner – are up for Best Recording Package for their artwork on the soundtrack to the band’s 2013 3D film, “Metallica Through the Never.”

As for Chicago, this will mark their first-ever Grammy Awards performance. The band hasn’t been nominated for any awards this year, but their debut album, 1969’s Chicago Transit Authority, recently was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Chicago’s only previous Grammy win came in 1976, when they took home a Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus Grammy for “If You Leave Me Now.”

Meanwhile, other artists slated to perform at this year’s Grammy Awards include Chicago, Stevie Wonder, Daft Punk, Nile Rodgers, Lorde, Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams and more.

The Grammys will air live Jan. 26 on CBS.

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Charles Ken

Meet the expert - Charles Ken is a graduate of Michigan State University where he studied writing and history. He's a longtime music buff and covers classic rock for Audio Ink Radio. Contact him at ken@audioinkradio.com.