Natalie Cole's family outraged over Grammys tribute
Natalie Cole was remembered at the Grammys during the In Memoriam segment, but her family -- and her fans -- are up in arms over the fact that the late singer was passed over for a special tribute.
"Sadly a FORGETTABLE tribute to Natalie Cole," Cole's sisters, Timolin and Casey, told ET following the Grammy telecast. "Words cannot express the outrage and utter disappointment at the disrespectful tribute, or lack thereof, to a legendary artist such as our sister."
"Here is a woman who has been in the business for four decades, had 21 Grammy nominations and won nine Grammys. She deserves more than (to be a part of) a minute-and-a-half tribute," Cole's son Robert Adam Yancy told ET on Monday night. "It was shameless the way they minimized her legacy. We will find solace in her legacy as well as her endless fans around the world."
David Bowie, Lionel Richie, B.B. King and The Eagles' Glenn Frey were all celebrated with their own musical tributes during the awards ceremony.
The legendary singer, daughter of Nat King Cole, won nine GRAMMYs in her lifetime and was behind R&B classics such as "Unforgettable" and "This Will Be." Cole died at the age of 65 in Los Angeles on Dec. 31, 2015 due to idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Celebrities were unhappy over Cole's tribute snub, taking to social media to voice their disappointment.
"We lost so many greats but Natalie Cole 1st African American to win Best New Artist deserved a tribute #Gmmys #BHM," Holly Robinson Peete wrote on Twitter.
"Empire" co-creator Lee Daniels took to Instagram to voice his disdain, captioning a black-and-white photo of Cole, "Disappointed in Grammys... Come y'all ... She deserved a better tribute #9grammyswon really???... R.I.P."
Cole's lack of a Grammy tribute had been the topic of debate even before Monday's telecast. Eric Benet shared a video on Saturday questioning the Grammy's' decision not to honor Cole's legacy.
"Didn't even talk about Natalie, such a powerhouse of pop, jazz, soul, GRAMMY artist and no tribute to Natalie Cole. So Grammys, shame on you, shame on you, shame on you," Benet said.
Meanwhile, fans took to Twitter to voice their disappointment that the Grammys failed to recognize one of their own.
I still listen to Natalie Cole every year. She introduced me to so many amazing, classic songs. She deserved a much bigger #GRAMMYs tribute.
— Nikki Gottleib (@NikkiGottleib) February 16, 2016
#NatalieCole should have had a tribute song #ThisWillBe Hopefully @BETAwards will honor her legacy @IamDebraLee
— Leno Jr. (@Success_92) February 16, 2016
Lol Natalie Cole won nine Grammys and they couldn't even give her a proper tribute ok
— Becca (@beccaadanielle) February 16, 2016
Anyway, wow how dare they do that to the late Natalie Cole?
— Baartman's Revenge (@honey_of_life) February 16, 2016
Natalie Cole died 2 wks b4 David Bowie did, won more Grammys than he did, yet David got a proper tribute than she did? @TheGRAMMYs, U f'd up
— Denise (@Cocosilk73) February 16, 2016
So, lots of memorial musical tributes at the #GRAMMYs...many fine men honored. But couldn't spare a moment for Natalie Cole. Ok.
— Elisa Camahort (@ElisaC) February 16, 2016
In January, Cole's sisters sat down with ET and opened up about their last days with the legendary singer.
"When we came to the hospital and spent Christmas Eve with her it was a godsend," Timolin said at the time. "We were very blessed and thankful to spend that very special day with her that she loved. It was her favorite time of year."
Former ET host Mary Hart helped remember Cole by reflecting on the time she spent with her in 2008, when Cole was still in need of a new kidney.
"I'm a survivor," Natalie said back then. "I don't know where I really got it from, but I just don't believe in giving up until the fat lady sings, and the fat lady hasn't sung yet."