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Danny Clinch curates a gallery of unforgettable behind-the-scenes GRAMMY moments Photos and commentary by Danny Clinch
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anny Clinch has been the official backstage GRAMMY portrait photographer since 2003. As one of the first people a freshly minted GRAMMY winner meets after walking offstage, Clinch has seen it all. “What’s great about photographing backstage at the GRAMMYs is that you get such a variety of people that come back there,” says Clinch. “You get people like Jay Z and Lady Gaga, and then you get the Best World Music Album winners such as Angélique Kidjo and Best Comedy Album winners such as ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic as well.” When he’s not capturing a winner’s GRAMMY portrait, or intimate images of two music icons meeting for the first time, Clinch has also been known to shoot unplanned moments in the days leading up to Music’s Biggest Night. His signature, natural style has produced unforgettable photos of performers as they prepare to hit the GRAMMY stage. Over the years, Clinch has amassed a collection of these priceless photographs. Here are 10 of his favorites, selected and annotated by the photographer.
B.B. King and Paul McCartney 51st GRAMMY Awards, 2009
Paul McCartney was at my portrait spot with the Foo Fighters when B.B. King walked in for his session. To my surprise, Paul had never met B.B. King and I had the honor of introducing them. 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards 165