CBS Brings the Stars Together for GRAMMY Salutes to Earth, Wind & Fire and Cyndi Lauper

This fall, CBS is turning the spotlight on two icons of music history with a pair of GRAMMY Salute specials that promise to blend nostalgia, star power, and the thrill of live performance. Earth, Wind & Fire and Cyndi Lauper will each be honored in primetime broadcasts that unite generations of artists in celebration of their indelible impact on global music.
🌙 A GRAMMY Salute to Earth, Wind & Fire – Live: The 21st Night of September
Scheduled for Sunday, September 21, the first special will honor the nine-time GRAMMY-winning supergroup Earth, Wind & Fire. Known for their irresistible fusion of funk, soul, and R&B, the band’s influence has spanned five decades, shaping the sound of modern popular music.
For this tribute, the group will join forces with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, delivering a sweeping orchestral reimagining of their greatest hits. But they won’t stand alone: Stevie Wonder, Jonas Brothers, Jon Batiste, and Janelle Monáe are among the high-profile guests ready to lend their voices to the celebration. Expect a mix of powerhouse vocals, inventive arrangements, and the kind of timeless energy that has made Earth, Wind & Fire one of the most beloved bands in history.
🎤 A GRAMMY Salute to Cyndi Lauper: Live from the Hollywood Bowl
Two weeks later, on Sunday, October 5, CBS will shift its focus to the one and only Cyndi Lauper. The vibrant pop icon, whose career has been defined by fearless individuality and genre-defying creativity, is currently in the midst of her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour. The television special, filmed over two nights at the Hollywood Bowl, will capture the joy, emotion, and artistry of Lauper’s final chapter on the global stage.
The guest list reads like a who’s who of musical royalty: Joni Mitchell, Cher, John Legend, SZA, Angélique Kidjo, Mickey Guyton, Trombone Shorty, and Jake Wesley Rogers. Adding a heartfelt dimension, Brandi Carlile will deliver a special video tribute. Each artist will bring their own voice and interpretation to Lauper’s catalog, underscoring her enduring influence across genres and generations.
Why These Specials Matter
These two broadcasts are more than tributes—they are cultural milestones. Earth, Wind & Fire’s collaboration with a full symphony will elevate their classics into new dimensions, while Lauper’s farewell celebration will serve as both a send-off and a reminder of her lasting legacy.
Together, the specials highlight the connective power of music: the way timeless songs can be reimagined by today’s artists, and how icons of the past continue to inspire the stars of the present. In an era dominated by streaming and on-demand playlists, these events remind us of the communal magic of gathering around the screen for live music history in the making.
The Anticipation
Will Stevie Wonder reinvent “September” with his legendary touch? How will Joni Mitchell or Cher reinterpret Lauper’s anthems of individuality and empowerment? What unexpected collaborations might emerge on stage?
The answers will unfold live, but one thing is certain: these are not just concerts, they are once-in-a-lifetime celebrations of artistry, legacy, and the enduring spirit of music.