MUST-SING TV GRAMMY TELECASTS SPECIALIZE IN SURPRISES.

Byline: Sandra Barrera Staff Writer

Oh, those memorable Grammy moments of years gone by.

Whether it was Ol' Dirty Bastard bum-rushing the podium, Ricky Martin's exhilarating ``Cup of Life'' performance or Eminem's ``Stan'' duet with Elton John, tonight's 48th Grammy Awards at Staples Center is likely to commit another spectacle or two to the old noggin.

Everybody's already going ape over the virtual gig between Madonna and Gorillaz, the animated band co-created by Blur's Damon Albarn.

The Material Girl, who isn't nominated for a Grammy this year but released ``Confessions on a Dance Floor'' in November, has performed with her share of cartoonish characters in the past, including Britney Spears, with whom she shared a kiss at the 2003 MTV Music Video Awards. But she's never cavorted with an act quite like this one.

Gorillaz, nominated for four Grammys, last performed its infectious ``Feel Good Inc.'' with De La Soul in November onstage at the MTV Europe Music Awards as three-dimensional holograms.

``They looked spookily real, which I thought made for great TV,'' says Rick Krim, executive vice president of music talent at VH1. ``They had De La Soul ... interacting with these figures that weren't really on stage.''

The Recording Academy, of course, never reveals how live performances will go down, and this year is no exception. But spokesman Ron Roecker says executing the Madonna/Gorillaz performance (speculated to be the show opener) will be ``the most complex production number the Grammys has ever done.''

Like at the MTV Europe Music Awards, he says it will rely on three-dimensional holographic-style animation while offering the audience ``a completely different treatment.''

While not all of tonight's dozen performances are expected to be talked about the next day, the Grammys are sure to deliver lots of ``Oh wow!'' moments regardless.

Consider Paul McCartney, who - believe it or not - makes his Grammy performance debut tonight on the heels of three nominations, including album of the year for ``Chaos and Creation in the Backyard.''

McCartney will be introduced by comedian/talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres. Other presenters include blues-rock diva Bonnie Raitt, cyclist Lance Armstrong, country duo Big & Rich, actor Tom Hanks and actress Teri Hatcher.

Another must-see performance?

Kanye West - who shares the lead with Mariah Carey and John Legend at eight nominations each - will perform with Oscar-winning actor-turned-r&b crooner Jamie Foxx and 20 members of the Florida A&M University Marching 100.

There will also be a tribute to hurricane-ravaged New Orleans. City natives Allen Toussaint, Dr. John and Irma Thomas will be joined by Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello in a segment that will also feature participation from Bonnie Raitt, U2 guitarist the Edge and soul music great Sam Moore.

``Our academy represents thousands of music people across the country, many of whom were directly affected by the New Orleans tragedy,'' says Recording Academy president Neil Portnow, noting that the 48th annual ceremony ``wouldn't be complete if we didn't take this unique opportunity to pay homage to a region with such rich musical history and culture.''

And then there's the Sly and the Family Stone tribute, featuring an all-star cadre of musical guests, including Legend, two-time nominee Kelly Clarkson and will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas (in the running for four categories) performing a medley of Sly classics.

``I always like the things that you haven't seen before,'' Krim says, adding that high-profile artists like Carey, who have done lots of TV already, always present the biggest challenge to a show's producers. ``As someone who works on a lot of these big TV music productions, I'm always curious to see what they do to make it fresh.''

Sandra Barrera, [phone]

sandra.barrera(at)dailynews.com

48TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS

What: The Recording Academy recognizes excellence in 108 categories during the music industry's biggest night at Staples Center. Scheduled performances by Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey, Coldplay and John Legend. Plus pairings of Faith Hill and Keith Urban, Christina Aguilera and Herbie Hancock, Mary J. Blige and U2, and Jamie Foxx and Kanye West.

Where: CBS (Channel 2).

When: 8 tonight. (Tape-delayed from 5 p.m.)

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) MADONNA

(2) JAMIE FOXX