The AP reports the Stones frontman will appear as part of a tribute to soul great Solomon Burke, who died last year. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer opened for the Stones several times during his career comeback late in life.
For his first appearance on the Grammy stage, Jagger will perform with soul singer Raphael Saadiq.
"We're thrilled, delighted, excited and very much looking forward to Mick doing his debut on the Grammy stage," said Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy. "It's extraordinary to many of us that the fact is, this will be the first time; he has never performed on the Grammy stage."
This won't be Jagger's first appearance on a Grammy telecast. In 1986, the Rolling Stones were given a lifetime achievement award by Eric Clapton, and they performed on the show by satellite.
"We did a remote from London, and it was at least three o'clock there," said show producer Ken Ehrlich. "I think they had been celebrating a little time before we went on camera," he said. "It was quite a moment."
The Rolling Stones – Lifetime Achievement Award
Grammy Awards – February 25, 1986
Ehrlich has produced the show for 31 years and has always wanted Jagger and the Stones to perform, but it didn't work out until this year.
Ehrlich said it was Jagger's admiration for Burke that brought him to the Grammy stage.
"He's asked me not to go into detail about what he's doing, but I think when you see the performance, it will make a lot sense," said Ehrlich. "I think it was the idea of the performance that was intriguing to him and really brought him here."
Who wants to lay odds that Jagger will sing from the throne, in the same way Burke did?
Solomon Burke – Everybody Needs Somebody To Love
BBC - Top Of The Pops – February 2003
The Rolling Stones – Everybody Needs Somebody To Love
Olympia Theater – Paris, FR – July 11, 2003
See also:
Rolling Stones deny 2011 tour plans despite Glastonbury posting
The Rolling Stones: 50th Anniversary tour being planned for 2011
Rolling Stones: Keith Richards communicates by fax
Keith Richards should be knighted, says London’s Mayor
Mick Jagger addresses image, Keith Richards’ “Life”
