Foo Fighters, Beyonce confirmed for Grammys

Amid widespread speculation as to what will happen to the Feb. 10 Grammy Awards telecast if it does not win the support of the Writers Guild of America, the Recording Academy today issued a statement that featured the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl pledging his support of the ceremony and revealed that Beyoncé will appear on the show.

The Foo Fighters were the first act that had been publicly confirmed to perform at the Grammys and are part of this year's "My Grammy Moment" contest, in which orchestral musicians can win a chance to perform with the popular rock act.

In the Recording Academy statement, Foo Fighters manager John Silva is quoted as saying he hopes for a quick resolution to the WGA strike, but it does not appear to have any impact on the band's appearance on this show. "There's no question that the Grammys are a highlight of every year for the industry and audiences alike, and we're thrilled that the Foo Fighters will be performing on the show," his statement reads.

Additionally, the statement reveals that superstar singer Beyoncé will perform at the Grammys. As reported here Wednesday, Beyonce is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild, which has led some to doubt if she would appear on the telecast if the Grammys do not strike an interim agreement with the WGA.

Her father and manager, Mathew Knowles, is quoted as saying, "Beyoncé, as well as my other artists Solange and Trinitee 5:7 have been asked to participate and will do so. We have an incredible Beyoncé performance that will be announced soon."

Full Recording Academy statement below:

Statements from the Music Community

Regarding the 50th Annual GRAMMY® Awards:

In response to press speculation regarding artist attendance at the 50th Annual Grammy® Awards, The Recording Academy® has received the following statements from friends in the music community declaring their support:

"The work of the Recording Academy is vital to the music industry, and we have every intention of being with the entire music community to celebrate the Grammys' 50th birthday in February. Beyoncé, as well as my other artists Solange and Trinitee 5:7 have been asked to participate and will do so. We have an incredible Beyoncé performance that will be announced soon. We wish the Grammys the best."
Mathew Knowles
Music World Entertainment

"We're participating in 'My Grammy Moment' because it creates opportunities. Opportunities to write, compose, play and study music — skills that absolutely need to be passed on to generations to come. And thanks to 'My Grammy Moment,' a musician from that next generation is going to get the chance to audition on YouTube to play with us at the Grammys as part of our orchestra."
Dave Grohl
Foo Fighters

"We're looking forward to attending this year's Grammy Awards as we do every year. We are hopeful that we will see a resolution to the current situation affecting our entire industry, as Foo Fighters have always had nothing short of amazing experiences with the writers, producers, fellow artists and audiences at the Grammys and every television show the band has ever played. There's no question that the Grammys are a highlight of every year for the industry and audiences alike, and we're thrilled that the Foo Fighters will be performing on the show."
John Silva
SAM Music Management

(Photo courtesy Los Angeles Times)

Comments

[Frankie R.]

It's the 50th Anniversary and it should be a golden celebration (pun intended). I hope the show will have a performance by Herbie Hancock with Joni Mitchell (a legendary artist so terribly neglected by NARAS). I hope to see Bruce Springsteen performs again as well since he was snubbed shamefully for Album of the Year and would like to see some new talent like Ledesi and Paramore perform and Feist too! NARAS let's make this a 50th anniversary to remember for a long time. Bad enough the 25th anniversary was overshadowed by the embarrassing sweep of Toto. Let's not have a repeat of bad choices this time around...

[RBBrittain]

Well, that's two big torpedoes in the WGA's ship in one day: (a) the DGA struck a deal; (b) Beyoncé will be at the Grammys in spite of her SAG card. (And her dad said it, so SAG can't say she misspoke; I'm sure he's prepared for the worst.) Does this mean we're FINALLY gonna see an end to the strike?

[Leona]

Look, it just doesn't get any better than Beyonce Live! I am glad to see that Beyonce and Foo fighters have moved forward with respecting the Grammys. Hey these two artists know that music pays their bills not the writers. Mark my wrds Beyonce and Foo fighters are going to give alot of other artists strength to attend and celebrate their big night in music.

[dagamedunchanged]

!Fantastic!
I see a memorable, exciting and entertaining evening unfolding. While I understand and support the striking members, CARE needs to be the catch word and method of operation. I hope they will extend the Academy the same courtesy of a waiver as they did for anaother event. Then we can all get back to handicapping the GRAMMY's which is what we really enjoy!

[LoveZilla]

Ah, self-proclaimed "artists", reducing themselves to
mere industry shills.
Justice, indeed, of the highest order:
NO WAIVER.

[Frankie R.]

It's not cool on the WGA's part to grant waivers to one awards show and not to another...either grant waivers to all or none! But the WGA is hurting itself by not granting all awards shows..especially amongst fans of awards shows...So let the show go on....

[Joe B.]

I'm really surprised that Grohl and Foo Fighters are thinking about crossing a picket line.

Beyonce doesn't surprise me, at the height of Walmart's legal troubles with women employees of color, she was hawking their stuff for Christmas a few years ago.

And yes, I am a collective bargaining hardass. It's a union town.

I would also ask everyone bagging on the WGA here if it would be okay if I went to your office (or fast food restaurant) and negotiated your salary for you, because that's what your asking the writers to relinquish for you awards show for a dying industry.

Music will be here forever, but the recording industry has nine toes in the grave.

[CLAUDS]

Dave Grohl & the Foo Fighters are the best musicians out there. They have picked & beat those instruments til they bled, broke out in sweats (thousands) & even shed tears for the fans & for the love of Rock & Roll. They obviously love their jobs, and what a hell of a job to have. Millions of people only dream of what the Foo Fighters have accomplished, myself included. They have the gift, love & respect for one another, what an awsome blessing. An inspiration to me. All of their songs, every note & every word; my life savers, the beating of my heart, my breath of life.... FOO FIGHTERS! Thank you Dave, Taylor, Nate, Chris, Pat & all of the extended Foo Family. Forever Foo