The 2021 Grammy Awards are scheduled to be held this Sunday and while the COVID-hit virtual ceremony would be something we will never forget, there have been several memorable instances in Grammy’s 62-year journey that we can’t stop reliving.
The unforgettable times from the gold-plated gramophonic history include mind-blowing performances, heartbreaking tributes, major upsets, crazy interruptions, jaw-dropping fashion and truly remarkable records.
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Here are some of the best Grammy moments of all time that Opoyi has rounded up for you:
Prince’s ‘Baby I’m A Star’
In 1985, Prince’s performance on ‘Baby I’m A Star’ made people join him on stage. The musician grooved his way through many complicated dance routines, gyrated on his microphone stand and stormed out when out of control audience took to stage to have fun.
Recognising the AIDS crisis
In 1987, ‘That’s What Friends Are For’, written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, won Song Of The Year. Proceeds of the song topped nearly $3 million and were donated to the American Foundation for AIDS research.
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Natalie Cole’s big night
Natalie Cole’s ‘Unforgettable’, which was a tribute to her father Nat King Cole, won every category it was nominated for in 1992. The categories included Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year and Song Of The Year.
LeAnn Rimes’ historic wins
LeAnn was just 14 when she became the youngest Grammy winner in 1997. She was awarded Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
An unforgettable night for women
The 1999 Grammy saw big wins for women in the music industry. Lauryn Hill, Celine Dion, Madonna, Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crow, and Dixie Chicks all received awards for their work. Hill was the night’s biggest winner, taking home the Album Of The Year trophy for ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’. It was the first for any hip-hop artist.
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Jennifer Lopez’s talk of the town dress
Jennifer’s plunging emerald-green chiffon Versace piece is one of the most iconic Grammy dresses of all time. Her outfit became a news commodity around the world and was a quick hit in the fashion industry.
Elton and Eminem’s “homophobic” content
The duo’s 2001 hit ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’ drew mixed reactions even during the award ceremony. The album received plenty of criticism for its homophobic, misogynistic, and violent content. When they performed on the stage and hugged each other at the end of the performance, it made a huge statement.
Rihanna admitted to the hospital
Rihanna was supposed to open for the 2009 Grammy but was hospitalised hours before the ceremony as she and her then-boyfriend Chris Brown engaged in a physical fight. Brown that night landed in jail.
Pink’s high-flying performance
Pink’s 2010 Grammy performance is still remembered as one of the bests. She stood out for her acrobatic skills and twisted around in silks above the audiences’ heads while singing her hit ‘Glitter in the Air.’
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A tribute to Whitney Houston
Legend Whitney Houston was found dead in a hotel room a day before the 2012 Grammy Awards. Jennifer Hudson then put together a last-minute performance of Whitney’s hit ‘I Will Always Love You.’
Queen Latifah married 33 couples
2014 was a love-ly Grammy. Queen Latifah hitched 33 gay and straight couples as she introduced the marriage equality promoting segment, which brought the audience members to tears.
Beck’s upsetting win
In 2015, Beck defeated Beyonce to win Album Of The Year for his ‘Morning Phase’. This was so disappointing and upsetting for Kanye West that he rushed to the stage for interrupting Beck’s acceptance speech. However, he did not do so. He later said Beck should’ve given his award to Beyonce.
Stevie Wonder read the winner in braille
Stevie Wonder talked about inclusivism and disability awareness before reading the Song Of The Year award winner in braille in 2016.
A pantless acceptance
Twenty One Pilots won the Grammy from Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for ‘Stressed Out’ in 2017 and they received the award on stage pantless. The duo said when they were nobodies they promised each other that if they ever won a Grammy they’d accept it in their underwear.
Billie Eilish’s historic wins
Billie Eilish was the 2020 Grammy Awards’ biggest winner and became the youngest artist in Grammy history to take home trophies for Best New Artist, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Record Of The Year.
