Jennifer Hudson will sing a tribute to Whitney Houston at The 54th Annual Grammy Awards (CBS, 8 p.m.) in hastily-planned salute put together after Houston’s death Saturday at 48.
It’s one of a number of tributes already planned for the show including one for Etta James by Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt and another for Glen Campbell (who is not dead) by The Band Perry and Blake Shelton for a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Performances by Bruce Springsteen, introducing the new lineup of The E Street Band; Paul McCartney, honored as the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year, are also planned as well as numbers by Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Bruno Mars and Katy Perry. There are also are also planned as are some duets: Tony Bennett with Carrie Underwood, Rihanna with Coldplay, a 50th anniversary lineup of The Beach Boys with Maroon 5 and Foster the People and Chris Brown in a salute to dance music with Lil Wayne, Deadmaus, David Guetta and Foo Fighters.
The moment people may be most awaiting was the first performance by Adele since her vocal cord surgery – she’s also expected to be one of the big winners of the night.
Kanye West has the most nominations – seven – while Adele is close behind with six, tied with Foo Fighters. Lil Wayne and Skrillex have five nominations; Rihanna, Radiohead, Bon Iver, Drake and Mumford & Sons each have four nominations. L.L. Cool J, who is coincidentally featured on another CBS show, has been picked to host.
Will things be solemn on the red carpet? Find out on “Live from the Red Carpet: The 2012 Grammy Awards” (E!,6 p.m.) and “Grammy Awards Red Carpet with Chris Harrison” (TV Guide Channel, 6 p.m.).