Despite Whitney Houston's shocking death, music stars came out to celebrate Sunday's (February 12) Grammy Awards with typical red carpet flash. But it was hard to ignore the death of the 6-time Grammy winner, on the eve of the awards show.
Many talked about personal memories of the pop star, and were visibly emotional.
Caleb Followill, from the Kings of Leon, said this year's Grammy red carpet felt eerily calm.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CALEB FOLLOWILL, KINGS OF LEON, SAYING:
"It kind of feels strange. It's more peaceful. It's not as frantic as usual. It's crazy timing how it happened and it's so sad but I think everyone here are big fans of her music and so I don't know. It doesn't feel as crazy to me this year."
Dutch producer and DJ Afrojack couldn't help himself from singing.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AFROJACK, SAYING:
"I always loved the song "I Will Always Love You." That's how she touched me."
The Civil Wars, who picked up the Grammy for best Country Duo/group performance, reminisced on their connection to Houston.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN PAUL WHITE, THE CIVIL WARS, SAYING:
"Joy grew up much more of a pop fan than I did, but we both have confessed that we both sang in the mirror to a Whitney Houston song."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JOY WILLIAMS, THE CIVIL WARS, SAYING:
"With a hairbrush."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN PAUL WHITE, THE CIVIL WARS, SAYING:
"I tried to learn all those trills just as she did, I failed miserably."
Houston was remembered during the Grammy awards show, which included a rendition of "I Will Always Love You" by Jennifer Hudson.
Lindsay Claiborn, Reuters.
