Lamar, Gaga, Drake, Lead Grammys Pack

Modern Rock

By Kristi Kates | Jan. 12, 2019

The complete list of 2019 Grammy Award nominees has been revealed, showing Kendrick Lamar at the top of the list, with eight nods, most due to his work on Black Panther: The Album. Right behind him is Lady Gaga, with eight nominations, primarily for her work in the movie A Star is Born. Following next are Drake, Boi-1da (producer), Cardi B, Zedd, and Shawn Mendes, with the best new artist category listing Luke Combs, H.E.R., Dua Lipa, Margo Price, Chloe x Halle, Bebe Rexha, Jorja Smith, and Frankenmuth, Michigan’s own breakout band, Greta Van Fleet. The Grammys will air live at 8pm Feb. 10 on CBS …

In other awards news, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has named the artists that will be in its Class of 2019: Stevie Nicks will be honored as a solo artist, making her the first woman to be inducted into the hall twice. (Fleetwood Mac was inducted in 1998.) Also on the 2019 honorees list: Radiohead, Roxy Music, The Zombies, and Janet Jackson, among others. Induction ceremonies happen on March 29 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. You’ll able to watch it unfold in a later broadcast on HBO …

Several lawsuits are underway against the wildly popular video game Fortnite — two regarding stolen dance moves. First, background for non-gamers: Characters in the game are able to acquire the ability to perform specific dances (to, for instance, celebrate wins and achievements). Two of the originators of two available dances — hip-hop artist Milly, creator of the “Milly rock,” and Alfonso Ribeiro, of the “Carlton dance” performed in TV sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air — claim their moves were pilfered by the game without compensation … 

Chris Cornell, the late frontman of Soundgarden and eventual solo artist, will be honored this week with a major concert event called I Am the Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell. The show will take place at the Fabulous Forum in Los Angeles and will benefit charity. Among the performers scheduled to rock: Foo Fighters, Metallica, Ryan Adams, Temple of the Dog, Audioslave, and the remaining members of Soundgarden. Presiding over the event will be host Jimmy Kimmel, alongside Cornell’s wife, Vicky Cornell, and additional family and close friends … 

LINK OF THE WEEK
Bruce Springsteen’s Broadway show is on Netflix as a streaming special. Set a night aside to watch the long presentation, or take a peek at this exclusive trailer to get a sneak preview: http://youtu.be/ M1xDzgob1JI

THE BUZZ
Get your suitcase packed for another trek to Chicago — Dead and Company (Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Bob Weir, and their band, plus John Mayer) will perform at Wrigley Field June 14–15 …

Another show is booked for the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s concert series. Catch Frankie and Myrrh’s experimental rock on Feb. 7 …

Jesse Cook will be in concert at the Royal Oak Music Theater on Jan. 15 …

The Motown Museum project underway in Detroit just got another boost, this time $1.3 million from the Kresge Foundation, which will help the museum’s expansion plans …

… and that’s the buzz for this week’s Modern Rock.

Comments, questions, rants, raves, suggestions on this column? Send ’em to Kristi at modernrocker@gmail.com.