ABC/Randy HolmesThe tradition of unexpected collaborations at the Grammys will continue this year with Metallica performing alongside Lady Gaga. As Ken Ehrlich, the executive producer of the Grammys telecast, explains, it was drummer Lars Ulrich who first suggested teaming up with the recent Super Bowl halftime performer.
"I was talking to Lars, and obviously talking about the Grammys, and said, 'Who do you think you'd want to do something with?' He came out and he just said, 'We love Lady Gaga, that would really be exciting,'" Ehrlich tells ABC Radio. "And then she sparked to it, she's a huge fan of Metallica's."
"Sometimes these things are kinda fated to happen, sometimes they take a little more work," Ehrlich continues. "This one was kinda easy, and it's gonna be a great performance."
As for what Metallica and Lady Gaga will be performing together, Ehrlich is keeping that a surprise, but he does say that they will be playing a single song from one of the artists' discographies.
In addition to performing, Metallica is a Grammy nominee this year in the Best Rock Song category for their track "Hardwired."
The 2017 Grammy Awards will air this Sunday, February 12 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Copyright © 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.