Legendary New Orleans funk band The Meters was among those honored during a live tribute concert and awards ceremony honoring this year’s Grammy Special Merit Awards recipients that was held at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles back in July. PBS premiered footage from the concert and ceremony over the weekend as the 2018 Grammy Salute To Music Legends. Members of The Meters performed as part of the event which also honored Emmylou Harris, Hal Blaine, Neil Diamond, Louis Jordan, Queen and Tina Turner. Concert promoter Bill Graham, Sire Records co-founder Seymour Stein and composer John Williams are this year’s Trustees Award honorees.
Yolanda Adams served as M.C. of the event with Greg Phillinganes tapped as musical director. The Meters’ portion of the program starts at the 1:16:10 mark and includes performances of “Cissy Strut” and “Fire On The Bayou” by an ensemble that featured original members George Porter Jr., Zigaboo Modeliste and Leo Nocentelli along with longtime member Cyril Neville. Ian Neville accepted the award for his father Art Neville, who couldn’t make the trip to L.A. Neil Diamond’s performance of “Sweet Caroline,” Emmylou Harris’ rendition of “Boulder To Birmingham,” Ledisi‘s medley of Louis Jordan’s “Choo Choo Ch’ Boogie” and “Let The Good Times Roll” and a Tina Turner medley led by Sheléa were among the other highlights of the program. Watch the 2018 Grammy Salute To Music Legends:
