BY MELISSA RUGGIERI/AJC Music Scene
LOS ANGELES - David Bowie’s career was finally acknowledged with his first career musical Grammys.
"Blackstar," the final album on the groundbreaking artist's resume - released two days prior to his death from liver cancer in January 2016 – earned five nominations, but was shunned in some of the higher-profile slots, such as album of the year.
During the Premiere Ceremony, the album won four awards, including best rock performance, best alternative music album and best engineered album, non-classical.
Kevin Killen, the engineer on the record, said backstage that “Blackstar” was recorded from January through May 2015.
“We were aware from day one of the record of David’s condition, but it did not impede (anything),” Killen said. “He was really determined to make this record on his own terms. It was an inspiration for us to see him do that.”
Bowie’s only previous Grammy came in 1985 for the “Jazzin’ for Blue Jean” video.
The best rock song category, in which the "Blackstar" title track will vie for a win against Radiohead, Twenty One Pilots, Metallica and Highly Suspect, will be presented during the live show at 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
