The Recording Academy defended its tribute to the late Natalie Cole during the Grammys today after her family complained that the “Unforgettable” singer was only mentioned during the In Memoriam segment.
As previously reported, Cole’s sisters said that the tribute was “forgettable,” telling Entertainment Tonight, “Words cannot express the outrage and utter disappointment at the disrespectful tribute, or lack thereof, to a legendary artist such as our sister.” Cole’s son, Robert Adam Yancy, also complained about the lack of a longer tribute to the singer.
Cole, who died on Dec. 31 at age 65, was a nine-time Grammy winner. However, while B.B. King, David Bowie, Glenn Frey, Maurice White and Lemmy Kilmister had their songs performed by other artists, Cole was only mentioned at the end of the In Memoriam segment.
“Frankly, I think it was appropriate,” Grammys producer Ken Ehrlich told Billboard today. Ehrlich said that the video clip shown in the segment was the most “touching and emotional” tribute he could have for Cole.
Ehrlich did say that he sent emails to Timolin Cole, Cole’s sister, and said that she “seemed to be very happy with it.” He thought about asking someone to perform “Miss You Like Crazy,” but ultimately felt that Cole’s own Grammy performance of “Unforgettable” was the best way to go.
“I hadn’t looked at that clip in several years, but when I saw it again, I knew it was right,” he said.