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Clarence Clemons Grammy Tribute Bumped for Whitney Houston, Says Maceo Parker

Larry Marano, Getty Images

If you thought it was odd there was no tribute to Clarence Clemons at this year's Grammy Awards, you're not alone. As it turns out, though, the producers of the show did have a plan to honor the late saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, who opened the show with a rendition of 'We Take Care of Our Own.' Unfortunately, Whitney Houston's death led to a change in plans.

Maceo Parker, the renowned reedman who's played with James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic over the course of his lengthy career, has revealed that he was supposed to take part in a tribute to Clemons, who died last summer after suffering a stroke. Jennifer Hudson ultimately ended up performing 'I Will Always Love You' in honor of Houston.

"Thanks so much or all your messages and tweets about the GRAMMYs," Parker wrote on his Facebook page. "I can now reveal that I was asked to perform a Clarence Clemmons (sic) tribute and then it got dropped to accommodate the tribute to Whitney Houston."

We're not sure why the producers made this decision or what else the tribute would have involved, but it seems odd considering the number of performers. The Grammys also revealed, via Twitter, why they did not include singer Etta James and 'Soul Train' founder Don Cornelius in the In Memoriam slideshow:

Amy Winehouse, who received a posthumous Grammy for her 'Body and Soul' duet with Tony Bennett, was included in the slideshow. She wasn't given any special tribute, despite winning Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Pop Vocal Performance, Song of the Year and Record of the Year in 2008.

Watch Jennifer Hudson's Tribute to Whitney Houston
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southsidesister

What a disgrace. Clarence Clemons should have been recognized. Although Whitney is famous, why do people glamorize a drug user and an alcoholic who never wanted to get help and clean up her life. So they pay tribute to someone who chooses drugs over music instead of a true music talent like Clarence. Shame on the grammy's. They could have taken a few minutes to honor Clarence.

February 16 2012 at 3:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
vonnie.lewis

Clarence Clemens deserves and should have have had his recognition. Amazing how current news can diminish what is really important. An honor to someoe who was well-deserving of it and was planned as well as a soilder who was killed at the age of 20 to serve his country of whom I have had the honor to know. I thought Whitney had an incredible voice...Her time will be forthcoming....it's sad how current news can overshadow what people choose to honor. Sadly, journalism is not the "people."

February 15 2012 at 7:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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