http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-951398.mp3
The Grammys have been awarded since 1959, when Henry Mancini's "Peter Gunn" was the hit of the year. Some of the greats have been honored along the way, from Frank Sinatra to The Beatles to Quincy Jones.
Some not-so-greats have been honored, too. Milli Vanilli had to give theirs back-- seems they weren't actually on their award-winning record.
And then there are the sourpusses.
Sinead O’Connor refused her Grammy award, and Eddie Vedder, while accepting his, said:
“I don’t think this means anything."
Bono was sour on the Grammys, until U-2 started winning a bunch of them. Now he thinks they’re okay.
The Grammys are considered by some to be a true peer review. You can only vote if you are “in” the music business, although record companies are not allowed to vote. These days there are over 100 Grammy categories, including 22 Gospel categories alone.
With awards for everything from Polka to Spoken Word, some would say the Grammys have been spread a bit thin. In some categories, winners are awarded with only a dozen or so votes.
The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards will take place Sunday, February 13 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Eight-time award winner Barbra Streisand will make a rare live performance.
POP QUIZ
A. Who has the most Grammys?
B. What car shares the name of a Grammy winning song?
C. Can you name 2 of Milli Vanilli’s hit songs?
D. Who was the youngest person to win a Grammy?
E. Who holds the record for most Grammy nominations without ever winning?
(Answers below)
ANSWERS
A. Turns out it's the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with several dozen lying around their basement.
B. The Plymouth Volare, of course. The song won Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 1958. The Plymouth won Car of the Year for 1976.
C. Neither can we.
D. Lee Ann Rimes won a Grammy at age 14 for Best New Artist.
E. Singer Brian McKnight has been nominated 16 times without winning. We wonder if he just stays home on Grammy night.
