Grammys 2012: Whitney Houston and other reaction quotes

The band, nominated for best rock album, joked that win or lose they’re planning on having a good time.

“The party is always in the same place either way,” said drummer Nathan Followill, joking that that place would be at a local El Pollo Loco.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

“I have a bit of nervous energy, because we’re surrounded by our heroes and we’re real fancy and dressed up,” said singer Kimberly Perry.

“I just eat a lot of nervous food like pita and hummus,” added bassist Reid Perry.

On Whitney Houston: “We’re heartbroken. We were performing in Tacoma, Wash., last night when we heard,” said Kimberly Perry. “It’s a shock that we lost her so early. She was one of my most favorite singers. I remember singing ‘I Will Always Love You’ in the car with my mother.” On Whitney Houston: “We’re heartbroken. We were performing in Tacoma, Wash., last night when we heard,” said Kimberly Perry. “It’s a shock that we lost her so early. She was one of my most favorite singers. I remember singing ‘I Will Always Love You’ in the car with my mother.”  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Songwriter Diane Warren, who worked on seven songs with Whitney Houston, expressed Sunday a deep sense of sadness at the loss, as well as a feeling of shock and a bit of discomfort about the way the singer’s death is being handled less than 24 hours after the fact. “I think people are all feeling really weird,” said Warren. “Even at Clive’s party last night, Alicia Keys was really good, but sorry, I didn’t want to see Pit Bull jumping around the stage.”  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Chaka Khan announced that she would not be taking the stage with Jennifer Hudson during the Whitney Houston tribute at the Grammys. “As I grieve the loss of my friend and ‘little sister,’ I don’t feel it appropriate to perform at this time,” the singer tweeted. “Continue to pray for the family.”  (Charles Sykes / Associated Press)

Foster the People arrived on the red carpet thrilled at the prospect of performing with their childhood heros the Beach Boys.

“They are arguably one of the best bands of all time,” said singer Mark Foster, who counts the Beach Boys as his first concert at age 7. “So when we got asked to play, well, it wasn’t even on my bucket list. We just didn’t think it would ever be a possibility.”  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

On Whitney Houston: “I think I damaged my hearing from listening to her so loud and so long,” Steve Martin said. “It’s a sad day.”  (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)

“We actually are very happy to find that Mormons like the show,” a laughing Trey Parker said.

“Writing comedy songs is hard. As big fans of musicals, we wanted to do a show where the songs really matter,” Parker said. “Writing songs that are plot driven is really hard. It was such a complete collaboration. You’d start with this cute little song and it would become this [big number].”  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

“Understand this has not been the easiest night for us,” said Ken Ehrlich, the executive producer of the Grammys, referring to the death of Whitney Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times (2011))