There’s only one sure bet for this year’s Grammy Awards:
It’s going to be more fun to watch than the Golden Globes.
The union for striking Hollywood writers, which forced the cancellation of the Golden Globes gala, has decided to spare the Grammys from the picket lines. Thus, the show will be shown at 8 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 10th) on CBS, broadcast from Staples Center in Los Angeles.
That’s good news, since it would have been a shame to cancel the 50th annual Grammy Awards. In honor of the milestone anniversary, we’ve decided to look back at 50 big moments in Grammy history. We’ve collected up the milestone victories and the most memorable performances, as well as the Grammy goofs (like Milli Vanilli’s victory as Best New Artist in 1990) and other lowlights. All of these moments, both good and bad, have combined to define what’s become music’s biggest night.
Please note that these memories are listed chronologically, as opposed to using a ranking system. Also, we’re sure that we’ve forgotten a few of the top moments _ 50 years, after all, is a lot of ground to cover _ so please help us out. Please post your top Grammy memories below.
1, Just for laughs
Music takes a back seat as comedian Bob Newhart wins Best New Artist and Album of the Year (for “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart’’) in 1961. It was not the only time that a comedic offering would score Album of the Year _ Phil Collins’ “No Jacket Required’’ would also win in 1986.
2, Celebrating a life
The very first Lifetime Achievement Grammy was given out in 1962 to a well-deserving Bing Crosby. By the time the trophy was given out again, in 1965 to Frank Sinatra, it was officially known as the Bing Crosby Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award.
3, Vaudeville act
Grammy voters get it wrong at least as often as they get it right. In hindsight, one of the earliest major flubs was when they picked the New Vaudeville Band’s novelty hit “Winchester Cathedral’’ for Best Contemporary R&B recording in 1966. What else was nominated? Only five of the best songs in pop-music history _ the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations,’’ the Association’s “Cherish,’’ the Mamas and the Papa’s “Monday Monday,’’ the Monkees’ “Last Train to Clarksville’’ and the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby.’’
4, Beatlemania
A rock platter finally wins for Album of the Year in 1968. Grammy voters were late in catching up with the times (a trend that continues to this day), but they certainly picked a good one to start with _ the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.’’
5, A true Wonder
Stevie Wonder owned the ‘70s like no other, at least according to Grammy voters. He won the most coveted of all trophies, Album of the Year, for three consecutive releases _ “Innervisions’’ (1974), “Fulfillingness’ First Finale’’ (1975) and “Songs in the Key of Life’’ (1977). It was such a Grammy dynasty that when Paul Simon picked up the award in 1976, for “Still Crazy After All These Years,’’ he thanked Wonder for not releasing a record that year.
6, It’s a tie
For the only time in Grammy history, the Song of the Year category ends in a tie and two trophies are given out in 1978, to Barbra Streisand’s “Evergreen’’ and Debby Boone’s “You Light Up My Life.’’ And, really, who could pick between those two?
7, Taste of success
In 1979, A Taste of Honey passed the Cars and Elvis Costello to win Best New Artist. A Taste of Honey, of course, is still known today for the single “Boogie Oogie Oogie,’’ while the Cars and Costello haven’t been heard of since.
8, Bringing the `Flowers’
Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand had each recorded separate versions of “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,’’ before (legend has it) a DJ had the bright idea to mash the two renditions into a single duet. The first time the dynamic duo would sing the song live together was at the Grammys in 1980.
9, One big night
In 1981, Christopher Cross became the first (and still only) artist to win the so-called “Big Four’’ (Record, Album and Song of the year, as well as Best New Artist) in one single year. He also took home the Oscar that year for Best Original Song (“Arthur’s Theme’’).
10, Eight hands
In 1983, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and (get this) Count Basie sit down at four pianos and deliver what is arguably the most legendary of all Grammy performances.
11, Toto rules
In 1983, Toto triumphed over Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Joe Jackson and Willie Nelson _ all, obviously, lesser talents in Grammy voters’ eyes _ to win Record of the Year for “Rosanna.’’ It was one of six awards Toto would win that night.
12, Marvin, Marvin
Marvin Gaye’s comeback was capped off when he won his first-ever Grammys for the song “Sexual Healing’’ in 1983. He sang a knock-out version of that hit at the award show. Sadly, it would be one of his final performances _ he was murdered on April 1, 1984.
13, Rhymin’ Simon
Paul Simon caps off a big Grammy night in 1987_ which included winning the biggie, Album of the Year, for “Graceland’’ _ with a great rendition of “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes.’’ The disc (recorded mainly in South Africa), as well as the Grammy performance, helps shine a light on the issue of apartheid.
14, Thick as a Brick
The inaugural Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance was given out in 1989 and, to the shock of head-bangers everywhere, it went to Jethro Tull. That band, best known for its flute work, beat out the heavily favored Metallica. Fans booed and the Grammy folks wisely split Hard Rock and Metal into two categories for 1990.
15, Public embarrassment
Grammy organizers obviously didn’t do much homework when they added the inaugural rap category in 1989. The first award was presented to DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince for the family-friendly “Parents Just Don’t Understand.’’ That victory quickly became a joke in the hip-hop community, which was clearly rooting for Public Enemy’s ground-breaking “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.’’
16, Grammy whammy
Milli Vanilli beat out the Indigo Girls and three other hopefuls (all of whom have since faded away) to snag Best New Artist in 1990. The award was later revoked after it was discovered that the band’s so-called vocalists did not actually sing on their tracks.
17, Not quite Nirvana
In the early ‘90s, something was brewing in the Pacific Northwest _ a little something called grunge _ and Grammy voters chose to ignore its presence. Eligible for consideration for Album of the Year in 1992 were Nirvana’s “Nevermind’’ and Pearl Jam’s “Ten’’ _ two of the best discs of the decade _ and neither received a nomination. In their place were offerings by Amy Grant and Natalie Cole.
18, Unforgettable?
Nearly 30 years after his death, the great Nat King Cole would garner Grammy gold in 1992. Thanks to the miracles of modern recording sciences, his posthumous duet with daughter Natalie on “Unforgettable’’ nabbed three trophies, including for song and record of the year. The Coles would also perform the song “live’’ at the show.
19, Nice tip
The best slam _ out of many _ against the Grammys came in the fifth season of the “The Simpsons’’(aired in 1993), when Homer’s Barbershop Quartet won a trophy for “Outstanding Soul, Spoken Word, or Barbershop Album of the Year.’’ He would later use the award as a tip for room service.
20, People Get Ready
The great Curtis Mayfield gets his due during an all-star tribute in 1994. The medley of Mayfield hits features Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, Steve Winwood and, best of all, B.B. King.
21, We once loved you
These days, we turn the song off as soon it comes on the radio and laugh with the comedians that tell jokes at the singer’s expense. Yet, there was a time when Whitney Houston and “I Will Always Love You’’ were all the rage. The time capsule proof comes from her amazing performance of that tune at the 1994 Grammys.
22, From the `Streets’
Bruce Springsteen delivered his most memorable Grammy moment when he sang a chilling version of “Streets of Philadelphia’’ in 1995. The track (featured in the Jonathan Demme film, “Philadelphia’’) would go on to win four Grammys, including for Song of the Year, as well as the Oscar for Best Original Song.
23, Bad `Voodoo’
Despite earning Lifetime Achievement recognition in 1986, the Rolling Stones wouldn’t win an actual trophy until 1995, when it would pick up two trophies for “Voodoo Lounge.’’ Talk about belated recognition _ didn’t voters listen to the “Exile on Main St.’’ or “Let It Bleed’’ records?
24, Grammy king
Sir Georg Solti, the conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, has been nominated for more than 100 Grammys and he’s won a record 38. In 1996, he was rewarded with a Lifetime Achievement Grammy.
