The 2019Grammy Awardstook a moment to recognize the musicians who died over the last year. The tribute honored artists such asAvicii,Mac MillerandAretha Franklin— who also received aseparate tribute— during Sunday night’s In Memoriam segment.
The Queen of Souldied of pancreatic cancer in August after years of health struggles. “She has been ill for a long time,” a close friend of the legendtoldPEOPLE at the time. “She did not want people to know and she didn’t make it public.”
Franklin’s family said in a statement, “In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds.”
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“When he stopped touring, he wanted to find a balance in life to be happy and be able to do what he loved most — music,” Avicii’s familytoldPEOPLE in a statement last year. “He really struggled with thoughts about Meaning, Life, Happiness. He could not go on any longer. He wanted to find peace.”
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Be sure to check outPEOPLE’s full Grammys coverageto get the latest news on music’s biggest night.
Mac Millerdied from an accidental drug overdosenearly four months later. The rapper wasfound deadin his Studio City, California home on Sept. 7. He was 26.
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His ex-girlfriendGrande, whodropped outof taking the stage at the 2019 Grammys, has been open about grieving Miller’s loss. The “No Tears Left to Cry” singer, 25, hasshared throwback videosfrom her time with Milleron social media, shouted him out in her hit single “Thank U, Next” andposted a tributeto her ex on Thanksgiving, writing “You’re v missed.”
RELATED VIDEO:Ariana GrandeMourns Ex Mac Miller After Fan Shares Video of Him: ‘He Is Supposed to Be Here’
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Sunday’s In Memorium presentation also paid tribute to country music legendRoy Clark, Lynyrd Skynyrd guitaristEd King,Pantera’s Vinnie Paul Abbott, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds pianist Conway Savage and rapperJimmy Wopo.
The 61st AnnualGrammy Awardsbroadcast live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 10 at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT on CBS.
source: people.com
