16 February 2016
Newsdesk
Natalie Cole's sister Timolin Cole found the way her sibling was honoured at the Grammy Awards "very bittersweet".
The singer died aged 65 on 31 December (15). While other losses in the music industry, such as David Bowie, The Eagles' Glenn Frey, Motorhead's Lemmy and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White, were all honoured by artists performing their hits at the Grammy Awards on Monday night (15Feb16), Natalie was solely included in the show's 'In Memoriam' section.
Timolin insisted Natalie should have received a greater section during the show, adding: "Where is the tribute to our sister?”
“It’s very bittersweet,” she told Page Six. “We were hoping that there will be some sort of actual tribute to her fitting of her artistry and stature. She had 21 Grammy nominations and nine wins. She was such a force in the music industry and she transcended genres... I think she should be recognised for the impact she has had.”
It was initially reported that Beyonce had been approached to perform a musical tribute to Natalie, but the singer's representative denied these claims.
Natalie closed the 'In Memoriam' segment with footage of her singing Unforgettable alongside her father Nat King Cole, but Timolin wasn't happy with this decision.
"Why wouldn’t you have a medley of two or three songs?" she added. "There are many hits that could be sung and great artists who could perform them."
It wasn't just Timolin who felt like this, however.
Actress Holly Robinson Peete tweeted after the awards: "We lost so many greats but Natalie Cole 1st African American to win Best New Artist deserved a tribute #Grammys #BHM."
"Natalie Cole…9 Grammys and only gets a photo in a remembrance montage. David Bowie…1 Grammy and he received a 7 minute tribute #GRAMMYs," CNN correspondent Chris Witherspoon added.
