Tony Bennett Returns To Perform At 54th Annual Grammy Awards
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The stars are getting ready for music's biggest night -- the 54th annual Grammy Awards.
The rehearsals are well under way. Tony Bennett, who performed on the very first Grammy Awards, returns for the 54th show this Sunday, and the singer says it never gets old.
"I've been on every single one that we've had through the years,'' Bennett said Friday after rehearsing a duet with Carrie Underwood. "And what I love about it --- this is the only place where all the performers get together in one weekend, and it's so great to see old friends and new guys that are coming up.''
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The 85-year-old entertainer said he knows most of the artists, "and the new ones, I'm interested in.''
He and Underwood are set to perform the 1924 classic "It Had to Be You.'' Underwood, 28, called Bennett "America's most enduring artist.''
Indeed, Bennett will be celebrated for his own classic song, the 50-year-old hit "I Left My Heart in San Francisco,'' in the City by the Bay next week.
After running through their Grammy performance three times, Bennett told Underwood, "It was beautiful singing with you.''
"She's beautiful and she sings great and she's so popular,'' he said as he came off stage. "It's just a wonderful experience to be on the show.''
The pair is also set to present the award for best new artist. Up for the honor are The Band Perry, Bon Iver, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj and Skrillex.
Meanwhile, crews are getting the stage ready. The teleprompters are up and the celebrity seat assignments are set.
The Grammys will be presented Sunday at Staples Center and broadcast live on CBS starting at 8 p.m.
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