Big Apple Polishes Its Grammy Appeal

In the battle between New York and Los Angeles as to who throws the best Grammys, the Big Apple scored big over it’s Western rival Wednesday night on at least one count: the backstage scene at Radio City Music Hall. Its cozy rows of telephones and portable word processors, seemed to be much more conducive for gossip and witty quips than Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium press room was last year.

Of course, it probably helped that this year’s participants--such as the Irish rock group U2, Whitney Houston and Little Richard--proved a much more lively crew than last year’s, when the sober likes of Paul Simon and Steve Winwood had little to say.

In any case, the backstage electricity could not hurt in New York’s bid once again to become a regular host of the show after a seven-year run in Los Angeles. And if there was any doubt New York was pulling out all the stops, Mayor Ed Koch made a point of stopping by the press room for a brief stand-up routine.

If U2 was enjoying their new stardom, it didn’t show backstage.

With their solemn faces, frock coats and wide-brimmed hats, the group’s leader, Bono Hewson and its guitarist, the Edge, looked like country preachers straight out of a John Ford Western.

Gawking at about 200 curious print and radio reporters, the four Irishmen who make up the band seemed wary and painfully self-conscious, though the absurdity of meeting a pack of edgy, deadline-crazed reporters soon dissolved their grave demeanor.

Responding to the high expectations aroused by the group’s two Grammys, the Edge told reporters what they wanted to hear.

Asked why the band’s “The Joshua Tree” album was so acclaimed, the guitarist said, with a mischievous glint in his eyes: “Because it was such a brilliant album.”

That seemed to break the ice, spurring the poker-faced Bono to tell the press that perhaps his biggest influence was “Weird Al Yankovic.” Now on a roll, the singer added that the band was recuperating from its constant touring by “doing relaxing sorts of things, like going to awards shows.”

In one serious note, Bono said of its exalted “The Joshua Tree” album: “(It’s) just a beginning. We’ve already written almost a dozen new songs, so we’re not through yet.”

Everybody was gossiping about how skinny Whitney Houston looked as she performed her openning Grammy number. So she got a big laugh when she appeared backstage clutching her statuette for best pop vocal performance and munching on a cookie.

“Wow, I’m hungry, I’m nervous and I’m happy,” said a very slim Houston, who was wearing a slinky black and silver sequined dress.

The bashful pop starlet had little to say about any possible upcoming film roles or future music projects. However, asked how it felt to be such a a part of history by winning yet another Grammy award, she replied: “Historical.”

Who put on the best performance back stage? It was no contest--Little Richard, who was still in high gear after clowning around on stage presenting the best new artist award.

Wearing a midnight orange tuxedo and leopard skin boots, the singer volunteered that comedian Eddie Murphy was going to star in a film biography about him.

“I don’t think he can do justice to me. But he’ll do ,” said the singer, best known for his frantic rock and roll hits of the 1950s, including “Tutti Frutti,” and “Good Golly, Miss Molly.”

Moving on to a discussion of his current rock favorites, Richard said: “I’d love to do a song with Michael (Jackson) and Prince, but I don’t think Prince will do it--I’m afraid he’ll shoot me. Michael is very humble. But Prince I can’t get to him. He’s a genius, but I can’t get close to him.”

Before he was dragged away from the podium, Richard was asked who he would pass his fabled whooooh! along to. Richard giggled. “What do you mean? Everyone gone and took it. And they’re welcome!”

A bubbly album of the year presenter, Diana Ross, showed up backstage and was immediately pelted with a barrage of questions about her mysterious non-appearance at the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremonies.

“I really couldn’t be there,” said an apologetic Ross, wearing a tight-fitting black dress. “I tried, but with my new baby and everything, I just couldn’t make it.”

When reporters pressed the former lead singer of The Supremes about how much her long-running feud with ex-group member Mary Wilson had to do with her absence, Ross cheerfully responded, “I’m a good person, but if people slap you and slap you--are you supposed to just smile?

The raucous media corps payed Michael Jackson the highest accolade. The only time silence descended on the room was when the singer appeared on the television monitors as a nominee for an upcoming award.

And his live performance of “Man in the Mirror” was the biggest backstage show-stopper of the evening.

Herbie Hancock, who was taking questions when Jackson appeared on the monitors, immediately cut short his answers, saying, “I want to watch this guy first.”

However not everyone in the press room was equally respectful.

Watching Terence Trent D’Arby’s exhilarating stage performance of “If You Let Me Stay,” one New York-based writer remarked: “He’s great--in fact, he’s like Michael Jackson used to be.”

Perhaps the most personable backstage visitor was K.T. Oslin. She’s not exactly a household name, yet , especially with the Grammy publicity staff, who introduced her as K.T. Olsen when she arrived backstage after winning best female country vocal performance.

To say she was excited would be an understatement.

“I feel like I’m going to hyperventilate and throw up any minute now,” she said.

One smart-aleck questioner asked why Oslin didn’t thank the Lord like most country artists do after winning awards.

She laughed, replying: “Probably because I’m a heathen.”

With interest high in the possibility that the Grammys could return to New York on a regular basis--and with so much media all in one place--it was inevitable that Mayor Koch would make a backstage appearance. A bit subdued by Koch-ian standards, his honor introduced himself by saying, “I don’t sing, I don’t dance. But I do answer questions.”

Asked about the merits of New York versus Los Angeles, the mayor boasted: “At least here you don’t have to worry about falling into the ocean.”

To keep interest levels up during the long waits between visits by stars and celebrities, restless media types began issuing informal Grammy night awards.

Goofiest question of the night went to a television reporter who--we assume half-jokingly--asked Mercer Ellington, winner of best jazz instrumental performance, big band, “Any relation to the Duke?”

Best answer of the night went to Run of the rap group Run-D.M.C., who was asked, “Would you rather be stranded on a desert island with Whitney Houston or Suzanne Vega?”

Run quickly retorted, “Both.”

And shameless question of the night from a local radio reporter to George Benson: “Will you give me guitar lessons?”

Steve Hochman in Los Angeles also contributed to this story.