Los Angeles: At age 68, Tina Turner kept those fabled legs largely covered by a silver pantsuit. But she proved she could still shake 'em and the metallic outfit didn't cover everything.
Turner was given a generous three-song spotlight on Sunday's Grammy Awards, introduced by current hit maker Beyonce, who joined her for Proud Mary. Two songs were central to Turner's 1980s comeback, What's Love Got to Do With It and Better Be Good to Me.
Her stage presence brought to mind James Brown in his later years several steps slower, but capable of moves suggesting a famously energetic routine. And the high heels and skintight, low-cut outfit also necessitated some careful choreography and gentler steps.
Beyonce, 26, preceded Turner with a tribute that recalled heroes from Mahalia Jackson to Whitney Houston.
The dual divas were introduced by third, Cher, who poked fun at being a relic in a youthful business: ''As many of you know, I first started singing when Lincoln was president, and I know a star when I see one.''
REUNION TIME
The Time have come for a new album.
Morris Day and The Time have recorded an fresh CD, their first in 18 years, and expect to tour again soon, band members said backstage at the Grammys.
''We plan on going into the studio and getting out on the road,'' Morris Day, wearing a gold suit, said after the group performed a set with Rihanna.
''Don't lie to them,'' guitarist Jesse Johnson said. ''We've got an album in the can that's so ridiculous. We can't believe we did it.''
The group had been eating meals together the week before reuniting at the Grammys.
''We're having too much fun. We'll keep it going,'' producer Jimmy Jam said.
On performing with Rihanna, Day said: ''I think she is a sexy young lady. I have kids as old as her, but I did enjoy it. That did not deter me from noticing at all.''
FRANK IN KEY
Frank Sinatra was all debonair style. Alicia Keys was soulful agony. The two met in a manufactured duet on Learnin' the Blues to open the Grammy ceremony.
The gimmick was reminiscent of Natalie Cole's hit duet with her late father. Sinatra's face, in black and white film, hung on a video screen over a piano where the green-gowned Keys sat.
The two kept perfect time despite the awkwardness of the presentation, yet still managed to show distinct musical differences. Sinatra, standing, barely moved as he zipped through his portion of the song. He kept the syllables short, the emotions in check the embodiment of cool.
Keys threw her head back in pain at the thought of fractured romance. She lingered on the notes, the emotions obvious the embodiment of heat.
MY GRAMMY MOMENT
Ann Marie Calhoun of Virginia was a Grammy outsider until she outdueled two fellow musicians at the Staples Center and won an invitation to perform with the Foo Fighters.
The three finalists in the 50th annual GrammyAwards' My Grammy Moment segment also included violinist Brian Fitzgerald of Pennsylvania and cellist Tara Klein of Ohio. After each played a brief snipped of music, Grammy viewers voted for the winner, and chose the exuberant Calhoun.
''It's every musician's dream to be at the Grammys,'' the 28-year-old violinist said as she walked the red carpet with the other finalists before the Grammy show. ''We're tapping into emotions we didn't even know we're capable of and levels of excitement that I didn't know my body could contain.''
After winning the competition held just outside the Staples Center, Calhoun joined the Foo Fighters as they performed their song The Pretender with a full orchestra.
FULL GRAMMY CIRCLE
Keely Smith, who won one of the first Grammysawarded at the recording industry's inaugural awards show in 1958, returned for the 50th ceremony.
This time she got to hang with Kid Rock.
''He is so cute and so sexy, you can't believe it,'' the 75-year-old singer said. ''I had never seen him before.''Smith and Rock teamed up on a classic-sounding ''That Old Black Magic,'' the song that won her and her late duet partner, Louis Prima, a Grammy in 1958 for best performance by a vocal group or chorus.
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