Lady Gaga will perform an “experiential
tribute” to the late David Bowie at the Grammy Awards, the
Recording Academy announced Tuesday.
“Affording audiences a chance to
experience Bowie's music once again, the tribute will be a
multisensory testament to the icon's incredible artistry and a
reflection of his limitless creativity,” the group said in a
press release.
Three-time Grammy winner Nile Rodgers
will direct the tribute.
In an interview with The
Hollywood Reporter conducted shortly before Bowie's death on
Jan. 10, Lady Gaga said that Bowie used his glamour “to express a
message to people that was very healing for their souls.”
“He is a true, true artist and I
don't know if I ever went, 'Oh, I'm going to be that way like this,'
or if I arrived upon it slowly, realizing it was my calling and
that's what drew me to him,” she said.
Ken Ehrlich, the show's producer, said
that Lady Gaga had already been booked for the Grammys before Bowie's
death. His passing led to a change in direction.
“We immediately spoke and agreed that
she should be the one to honor David. She's perfect for it. So I
reached out to Nile and, before long, we were on our way to creating
what we believe will not only make a great Grammy moment, but one
befitting of David,” he said.
Ehrlich
added that the tribute will cover “at least three or four”
songs.
The Grammy Awards will be broadcast
live on February 15 on CBS.