Berklee Alumni ‘Imagine Dragons’ Add Grammy to the School’s List of Award-Show Accolades
Photo via Associated Press
One of the most talked about performances at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night featured a mash-up of rap stalwart Kedrick Lamar, and alt-rock group Imagine Dragons; a mix that was replete with banging drums, puffs of red smoke, radioactive-style suits, and enough flickering lights that viewers with hyper-sensitive nervous systems were likely at risk of suffering a seizure.
And to no one’s surprise, Imagine Dragons, comprised of four group members—including three Berklee College of Music alumni—received top honors during the awards show, and took home a Grammy for “Best Rock Performance” for their hit “Radioactive,” which they played with Lamar.
Imagine Dragons members Ben McKee and Daniel Platzma, both from Berklee’s class of 2009, and Wayne Sermon, a 2008 graduate, were honored. “What a crazy night. Could not be more grateful to all of you who brought us here,” the band wrote on Twitter, after their win. “Tonight was one for the books. Thank you all.”
The band’s win added another notch to the music school’s award-winning belt, putting the institute at a total of 238 Grammy Awards received by former students in varying categories over the years. In total, besides capturing the audience with one of the more memorable performances, Berklee alumni managed to scoop up seven Grammys during the ceremony Sunday, and were recognized for their work in music arrangement, rock, R and B, and production. A total of 30 former students were up for awards.
Below are some of the other winners from the show:
- Lalah Hathaway ’94 snagged Best R&B Performance for “Something” alongside Snarky Puppy.
- Alumna and faculty member Terri Lyne Carrington ’83 won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album for Money Jungle: Provocative in Blue.
- Stephen Oremus ’92, co-producer of Kinky Boots, took home the award for Best Musical Theater Album.
- Arranger Gil Goldstein ’70 won Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist for “Swing Low.”
And in case you missed the performance, here it is in its entirety:
