1. Lady Marmalade – LaBelle
2. Got To Give It Up – Marvin Gaye
3. Dance To The Music – Sly and the Family Stone (1968)
4. Build Me Up Buttercup – The Foundations
5. ABC – Jackson Five
6. Proud Mary – Ike and Tina Turner
7. More Today Than Yesterday – Spiral Staircase
8. You’ll Never Find – Lou Rawls
9. Rock The Boat – Hues Corporation
10. Grazing In The Grass – Friends Of Distinction
11. I Want You Back – Jackson Five
12. You’re My First, My Last, My Everything – Barry White
13. The Hustle – Van McCoy
14. Jackie Wilson Said – Van Morrison
15. Venus – The Shocking Blue
16. Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye
17. The Love You Save – Jackson Five
18. Theme From Shaft – Isaac Hayes
19. Low Rider – War
20. Superstition – Stevie Wonder
21. Love Train – The O’Jays
22. Give Me Just a Little More Time – Chairmen Of The Board
23. Tell Me Something Good – Rufus
24. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) – Sly and The Family Stone
25. Groove Me – King Floyd
26. Tighter, Tighter – Alive & Kickin
27. Jungle Boogie – Kool and The Gang
28. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
29. Dancing Machine – Jackson Five
30. You Sexy Thing – Hot Chocolate
31. Cisco Kid – War
32. I’ll Take You There – The Staple Singers
33. Stoned Love – The Supremes
34. Boogie Down – Eddie Kendricks
35. Treat Her Like a Lady – Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
36. Rockin Robin – Michael Jackson
37. Superfly – Curtis Mayfield
38. Freddie’s Dead (Theme From ‘Superfly’) – Curtis Mayfield
39. For The Love Of Money – The O’Jays
40. Montego Bay – Bobby Bloom
41. Fly Robin Fly – Silver Convention
42. In The Summertime – Mungo Jerry
43. I Just Want To Celebrate – Rare Earth
44. I Want To Take You Higher – Sly and the Family Stone
45. Spanish Hustle – Fatback Band
46. The Sound Of Philadelphia – MFSB
47. Mr. Big Stuff – Jean Knight
48. Back Stabbers – O’Jays
49. Mam’s Pearl – Jackson Five
50. Soul Makossa – Manu Dibango
The Early 70s’ Rock Party Hits
1. Old Time Rock and Roll – Bob Seger
2. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
3. Joy To The World – Three Dog Night
4. Takin Care of Business – BTO (Bachman Turner Overdrive)
5. Brown Sugar – Rolling Stones
6. The Loco-Motion – Grand Funk Railroad
7. Gimme Gimme Good Lovin – Crazy Elephant
8. Thank God I’m a Country Boy – John Denver
9. Crockadile Rock – Elton John
10. Get Back – The Beatles
11. Rosalita – Bruce Springsteen
12. Burning Love – Elvis Presley
13. Some Kind of Wonderful – Grand Funk Railroad
14. Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffett
15. Sooner Or Later – Grass Roots
16. Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas
17. Rock and Roll All Night – Kiss
18. Maggie May – Rod Stewart
19. Rock and Roll – Led Zeppelin
20. Green Eyed Lady – Sugarloaf
21. My Sharona – The Knack
22. Dancing In The Moonlight – King Harvest
23. Only The Good Die Young – Billy Joel
24. No No Song – Ringo Starr
25. Hooked On A Feeling – B.J. Thomas
26. Spinning Wheel – Blood Sweat and Tears
27. Bang A Gong (Get It On) – T Rex
28. Proud Mary – Creedence Clearwater Revival
29. Vehicle – Ides Of March
30. Lean On Me – Bill Withers
31. Come and Get Your Love – Redbone
32. She’s a Lady – Tom Jones
33. Pick Up The Pieces – Average White Band
34. Temptation Eyes – The Grass Roots
35. Oye Como Va – Santana
36. Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance) – Leo Sayer
37. No Matter What – Badfinger
38. I Woke Up In Love This Morning – Partridge Family
39. Hot Smoke and Sassafrass – The Bubble Puppy
40. Son Of a Preacher Man – Dusty Springfield
41. Smokin In The Boys Room – Brownsville Station
42. Domino – Van Morrison
43. Love Her Madly – The Doors
44. Go All The Way – The Raspberries
45. The Rapper – Jaggerz
46. We’re An American Band – Grand Funk Railroad
47. Roundabout – Yes
48. Reeling In The Years – Steely Dan
49. Kick Out The Jams – MC5
50. Hocus Pocus – Focus
Eligibility Year: October 16, 1973 – October 15, 1974
Trivia and Details
The 1975 ceremony saw a change of venue, moving from Hollywood to the Uris Theatre in the Big Apple. It was the first time the event was held at this particular location.
Fulfillingness’ First Finale by Stevie Wonder won Album of the Year, winning Stevie’s second consecutive Album of the Year.
The hit song I Honestly Love You, performed by Olivia Newton-John, won both Record of the Year and Song of the Year, solidifying her star status.
The Best New Artist award went to Marvin Hamlisch, who would have an illustrious career in film scoring, including multiple Oscar wins.
Paul Simon’s Still Crazy After All These Years won Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, and the song itself would win Song of the Year in the following ceremony.
The ceremony host, Andy Williams, had been at the helm for multiple Grammy Awards by this point, becoming a familiar face for viewers.
Composer Alan Bergman won for Song of the Year for The Way We Were, collaborating with his wife, Marilyn Bergman, and Marvin Hamlisch. This iconic song would become a mainstay in pop culture.
1975 Grammy Winners
Record of the Year:
I Honestly Love You – Olivia Newton-John
Album of the Year:
Fulfillingness’ First Finale, Stevie Wonder (Tamla/Motown)
Song of the Year:
The Way We Were – Marilyn and Alan Bergman and Marvin Hamlisch, songwriters
Best New Artist of the Year:
Marvin Hamlisch
Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male:
Fulfillingness’ First Finale, Stevie Wonder
Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female:
I Honestly Love You – Olivia Newton-John
Best Pop Vocal Performance By a Duo, Group or Chorus:
Band on the Run – Paul McCartney and Wings
Best Pop Instrumental Performance:
The Entertainer – Marvin Hamlisch
Best Rhythm and Blues Song:
Living for the City – Stevie Wonder, songwriter
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Male:
Boogie on Reggae Woman – Stevie Wonder
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Female:
Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing – Aretha Franklin
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance By a Duo, Group or Chorus:
Tell Me Something Good – Rufus
Best Rhythm and Blues Instrumental Performance:
TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia), MFSB
Best Jazz Performance By a Soloist:
First Recordings!, Charlie Parker
Best Jazz Performance By a Group:
The Trio, Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass and Niels Pedersen
Best Jazz Performance By a Big Band:
Thundering Herd, Woody Herman
Best Country Song:
A Very Special Love Song – Norris Wilson and Billy Sherrill, songwriters
Best Country Vocal Performance, Male:
Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends – Ronnie Milsap
Best Country Vocal Performance, Female:
Love Song, Anne Murray
Best Country Vocal Performance By a Duo or Group:
Fairytale – Pointer Sisters
Best Country Instrumental Performance:
The Atkins-Travis Traveling Show, Chet Atkins and Merle Travis
Best Gospel Performance:
The Baptism of Jesse Taylor – Oak Ridge Boys
Best Soul Gospel Performance:
In the Ghetto, James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir
Best Inspirational Performance:
How Great Thou Art – Elvis Presley
Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording:
Two Days in November, Doc and Merle Watson
Best Instrumental Arrangement:
Threshold – Pat Williams, arranger
Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists:
Down to You – Joni Mitchell and Tom Scott, arrangers
Best Instrumental Composition:
Tubular Bells (Theme From The Exorcist), Mike Oldfield, composer
Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album:
Raisin, Judd Woldin and Robert Britten, composers (Columbia)
Album of Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special:
The Way We Were, Marvin Hamlisch and Alan and Marilyn Bergman, composers (Columbia)
Album of the Year, Classical:
Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique, Sir Georg Solti conducting Chicago Symphony (London)
Best Classical Performance, Orchestra:
Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique, Sir Georg Solti conducting Chicago Symphony
Best Chamber Music Performance:
Brahms and Schumann Trios, Artur Rubinstein, Henryk Szeryng and Pierre Fournier
Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist(s) (With Orchestra):
Shostakovich, Violin Concerto No. 1, David Oistrakh
Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist(s) (Without Orchestra):
Albeniz, Iberia, Alicia de Larrocha
Best Opera Recording:
Puccini, La Bohème, Sir Georg Solti conducting London Philharmonic; solos: Caballé, Domingo, Milnes, Blegen and Raimondi (RCA)
Best Choral Performance, Classical (Other Than Opera):
Berlioz, The Damnation of Faust, Colin Davis conducting London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Ambrosian Singers and Wandsworth School Boys’ Choir; solos: Gedda, Bastin, Veasey and Van Allen
Best Classical Vocal Soloist Performance:
Leontyne Price Sings Richard Strauss, Leontyne Price
Best Comedy Recording:
That Neggir’s Crazy, Richard Pryor (Partee/Stax)
Best Spoken Word Recording:
Good Evening, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore (Island)
Best Recording for Children:
Winnie the Pooh and Teggir Too, Sebastian Cabot, Sterling Holloway and Paul Winchell (Disneyland)
Best Album Package:
Come and Gone, Ed Thrasher and Christopher Whorf, art directors (Warner Bros.)
Best Album Notes (tie):
For the Last Time, Charles R. Townsend, annotator (United Artists)
The Hawk Flies, Dan Morgenstern, annotator (Milestone)
Best Album Notes, Classical:
The Classic Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Rory Guy, annotator (Angel)
December 29, 1973 – January 13, 1974:
Time In A Bottle – Jim Croce
January 12 – January 18:
The Joker – Steve Miller Band
January 19 – January 25:
Show And Tell – Al Wilson
January 26 – February 1:
You’re Sixteen – Ringo Starr
February 2 – February 8:
The Way We Were – Barbra Streisand
February 9 – March 1:
Love’s Theme – Love Unlimited Orchestra
March 2 – March 22:
Seasons in the Sun – Terry Jacks
March 23 – March 29:
Dark Lady – Cher
March 30 – April 5:
Sunshine On My Shoulders – John Denver
April 6 – April 12:
Hooked On A Feeling – Blue Swede
April 13 – April 19:
Bennie And The Jets – Elton John
April 20 – May 3:
TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) – MFSB featuring The Three Degrees
May 4 – May 17:
The Loco-Motion – Grand Funk
May 18 – June 7:
The Streak – Ray Stevens
June 8 – June 14:
Band On The Run – Paul McCartney & Wings
June 15 – June 28:
Billy, Don’t Be A Hero – Paper Lace
June 29 – July 5:
Sundown – Gordon Lightfoot
July 6 – July 12:
Rock The Boat – The Hues Corporation
July 13 – July 26:
Rock Your Baby – George McCrae
July 27 – August 9:
Annie’s Song – John Denver
August 10 – August 16:
Feel Like Makin’ Love – Roberta Flack
August 17 – August 23:
The Night Chicago Died – Paper Lace
August 24 – September 13:
(You’re) Having My Baby – Paul Anka & Odia Coates
September 14 – September 20:
I Shot The Sheriff – Eric Clapton
September 21 – September 27:
Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe – Barry White
September 28 – October 4:
Rock Me Gently – Andy Kim
October 5 – October 18:
I Honestly Love You – Olivia Newton-John
October 19 – October 25:
Nothing From Nothing – Billy Preston
October 26 – November 1:
Then Came You – Dionne Warwick & The Spinner
November 2 – November 8:
You Haven’t Done Nothin – Stevie Wonder
November 9 – November 15:
You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
November 16 – November 22:
Whatever Gets You Thru The Night – John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
November 23 – December 6:
I Can Help – Billy Swan
December 7 – December 20:
Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas
December 21 – December 27:
Cat’s In The Cradle – Harry Chapin
December 28, 1974 – January 3, 1975:
Angie Baby – Helen Reddy
(Data is compiled from various charts including Billboard’s “Pop,” “Adult Contemporary,” “Airplay,” “R&B” and “Singles” Charts. “Hot 100” is the primary chart used starting October, 1958)
1. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynrd
From their second album, ironically titled, Second Helping, this Southern rock band made history with this milestone song. Bassist/Guitarist for the band, Ed King, said the notes for the song came to him in a dream, which he introduced to the band the next day. Sweet Home Alabama was also written as a response to Neil Young’s Southern Man and Alabama, which addresses racism. References to the song can be found in movies, ad campaigns, and even license plates.
We’re dealing with Oldfield here. It’s fair to say the man who brought a record label (Virgin Records) to life and a new age of music to the listener set the bar pretty high. “Tubular Bells” included 20 different instruments, which he all played, layered over each other for the ultimate recording. The original song, from The Exorcist, also includes 3 sequels that have been recorded over time.
2. Tubular Bells – Mike Oldfield
As epic as the song is, the chain of events that led up to creation is equally significant. Originally inspired by a recording technician, Randy Bachman’s song was shut down for fear of the Beatle’s suing BTO for a similar guitar riff. At a live show, the lead singer’s voice gave out, forcing Randy to take over and premiere “Takin Care of Business”, a catchphrase he heard over the radio earlier that same day.
3. Takin Care Of Business – Bachman Turner Overdrive (BTO)
Guitarist Mark Farner unintentionally provoked The Loco-Motion when he was caught whistling the tune in the studio. This song particular is done in numerous renditions and by many different performers, including Kylie Minogue, Sylvie Vartan, Carole King, and La Toya Jackson. Little Eva made The Loco-Motion a number 1 hit in 1962. It has reached the Top 10 singles charts 20 in different countries.
4. The Loco-motion – Grand Funk
Dubbed Billy’s “signature song”, this story shares his personal battle with failure and “hiding” away from his first album disappointment. As a piano-lounge singer reflects on different characters he met at the Executive Lounge in LA, where he worked under the name Bill Martin.
5. Piano Man – Billy Joel
6. Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love Babe – Barry White
7. Hooked On A Feeling – Blue Sude (late 1990’s “the dancing baby song”)
8. The Way We Were – Barbara Streisand
9. Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas
10. Jungle Boogie – Kool and the Gang
11. For The Love Of Money – O Jays
12. Tell Me Something Good – Rufus
13. Come Monday – Jimmy Buffet
14. Love Is The Message – MFSB/Three Degrees
15. Come and Get Your Love – Redbone
16. Mockingbird – James Taylor and Carly Simon
17. Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing – Stevie Wonder
18. When Will I See You Again – The Three Degrees
19. Seasons In The Sun – Terry Jacks
20. Dancing Machine – Jackson Five
21. Wishing You Were Here – Chicago
22. Sunshine On My Shoulder – John Denver
23. Waterloo – Abba
24. TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) – MFSB
25. Hollywood Swinging – Kool and the Gang
26. Bennie and the Jets – Elton John
27. Beach Baby – First Class
28. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me – Elton John
29. Jazzman – Carole King
30. I Shot The Sheriff – Eric Clapton
31. Living For The City – Stevie Wonder
32. The Air That I Breathe – The Hollies
33. The Joker – Steve Miller Band
34. You’re Sixteen – Ringo Starr
35. It’s Only Rock and Roll – Rolling Stones
36. (You’re) Having My Baby – Paul Anka with Odia Oates
37. Radar Love – Golden Earring
38. I’ll Have To Say I Love You In A Song – Jim Croce
39. Let It Ride – Bachman Turner Overdrive (BTO)
40. I Won’t Last A Day Without You – The Carpenters
41. Smokin In The Boys Room – Brownsville Station
42. The Payback – James Brown
43. Midnight Rider – Greg Allman
44. Rebel Rebel – David Bowie
45. Living in the USA – Steve Miller Band
46. Annie’s Song – John Denver
47. Another Saturday Night – Cat Stevens
48. Midnight At The Oasis – Maria Muldaur
49. You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
50. Oh Very Young – Cat Stevens 51. Free Man In Paris – Joni Mitchell
52. You And Me Against the World – Helen Reddy
53. Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo – Rick Derringer
54. Whatever Gets You Through The Night – John Lennon
Held at: Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, California
Host: Andy Williams
Eligibility Year: October 16, 1972 – October 15, 1973
Trivia and Details
The album Innervisions by Stevie Wonder was one of the stars of the night, snagging Album of the Year, among other accolades.
The evening’s host, Andy Williams, was no stranger to the Grammys. He had been nominated multiple times, although he never won a Grammy during his career.
This year, it marked the second consecutive hosting gig for Andy Williams at the Grammys, making him one of the recurring faces of the ceremony during this period.
The hit single Killing Me Softly with His Song, performed by Roberta Flack, won Song of the Year and Record of the Year, making it one of the most celebrated songs of the ceremony.
Charlie Rich’s Behind Closed Doors won Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, and also won the Best Country Song award. Rich himself would go on to host the next year’s ceremony.
Bette Midler, known for her multi-faceted talents, won the Best New Artist award.
Millie Jackson, primarily an R&B singer, was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance but lost to Aretha Franklin. This was one of several Grammy nods Jackson received throughout her career, although she never won.
Record of the Year:
Killing Me Softly With His Song – Roberta Flack
Album of the Year:
Innervisions, Stevie Wonder (Tamla/Motown)
Song of the Year:
Killing Me Softly With His Song – Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox, songwriters
Best New Artist of the Year:
Bette Midler
Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male:
You Are the Sunshine of My Life – Stevie Wonder
Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female:
Killing Me Softly With His Song – Roberta Flack
Best Pop Vocal Performance By a Duo, Group or Chorus:
Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye), Gladys Knight and the Pips
Best Pop Instrumental Performance:
Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001) – Eumir Deodato
Best Rhythm and Blues Song:
Superstition – Stevie Wonder, songwriter
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Male:
Superstition – Stevie Wonder
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Female:
Master of Eyes – Aretha Franklin
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance By a Duo, Group or Chorus:
Midnight Train to Georgia – Gladys Knight and the Pips
Best Rhythm and Blues Instrumental Performance:
Hang on Sloopy – Ramsey Lewis
Best Jazz Performance By a Soloist:
God Is in the House, Art Tatum
Best Jazz Performance By a Group:
Supersax Plays Bird, Supersax
Best Jazz Performance By a Big Band:
Giant Steps, Woody Herman
Best Country Song:
Behind Closed Doors – Kenny O’Dell, songwriter
Best Country Vocal Performance, Male:
Behind Closed Doors – Charlie Rich
Best Country Vocal Performance, Female:
Let Me Be There – Olivia Newton-John
Best Country Vocal Performance By a Duo or Group:
From the Bottle to the Bottom – Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge
Best Country Instrumental Performance:
Dueling Banjos – Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell
Best Gospel Performance:
Release Me (From My Sin), Blackwood Brothers
Best Soul Gospel Performance:
Loves Me Like a Rock – Dixie Hummingbirds
Best Inspirational Performance:
Let’s Just Praise the Lord, Bill Gaither Trio
Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording:
Then and Now, Doc Watson (United Artists)
Best Instrumental Arrangement:
Summer in the City – Quincy Jones, arranger
Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist:
Live and Let Die – George Martin, arranger
Best Instrumental Composition:
Last Tango in Paris – Gato Barbiera, composer
Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album:
A Little Night Music, Stephen Sondheim, composer
Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special:
Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Neil Diamond, composer
Album of the Year, Classical:
Bartók, Concerto for Orchestra, Pierre Boulez conducting New York Philharmonic Orchestra (Columbia)
Best Classical Performance, Orchestra:
Bartók, Concerto for Orchestra, Pierre Boulez conducting New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Best Chamber Music Performance:
Joplin, The Red Back Book, Gunther Schuller and the New England Conservatory Ragtime Ensemble
Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist (With Orchestra):
Beethoven, Concerti (5) for Piano and Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy; Sir Georg Solti conducting Chicago Symphony
Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist (Without Orchestra):
Scriabin, Horowitz Plays Scriabin, Vladimir Horowitz
Best Opera Recording:
Bizet, Carmen, Leonard Bernstein conducting The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Manhattan Opera Chorus; solos: Horne, McCracken, Maliponte and Krause (Deutsche Grammophon/Polydor)
Best Choral Performance, Classical:
Walton, Belshazzar’s Feast, André Previn conducting London Symphony Orchestra; Arthur Oldham conducting London Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Best Classical Vocal Soloist Performance:
Puccini, Heroines (La Bohème, Tosca, Manon Lescaut), Leontyne Price; Downes conducting New Philharmonia
Best Comedy Recording:
Los Cochinos, Cheech and Chong (Ode)
Best Spoken Word Recording:
Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Richard Harris (Columbia)
Best Recording for Children:
Sesame Street Live, Sesame Street cast (Columbia)
Best Album Package:
Tommy, Wilkes and Braun, Inc., art director (Ode)
Best Album Notes:
God Is in the House, Dan Morgenstern, annotator (Onyx)
Best Album Notes, Classical:
Hindemith, Sonatas for Piano (Complete), Glenn Gould, annotator (Columbia)
December 16, 1972 – January 5, 1973:
Me and Mrs. Jones – Billy Paul
January 6 – January 26:
You’re So Vain – Carly Simon
January 27 – February 2:
Superstition – Stevie Wonder
February 3 – February 23:
Crocodile Rock – Elton John
February 24 – March 23:
Killing Me Softly With His Song – Roberta Flack
March 24 – April 6:
Love Train – O’Jays
April 7 – April 20:
The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia – Vicki Lawrence
April 21 – May 18:
Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree – Dawn Featuring Tony Orlando
May 19 – May 25:
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder
May 26 – June 1:
Frankenstein – The Edgar Winter Group
June 2 – June 29:
My Love – Paul McCartney & Wings
June 30 – July 6:
Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) – George Harrison
July 7 – July 20:
Will It Go Round In Circles – Billy Preston
July 21 – August 3:
Bad, Bad Leroy Brown – Jim Croce
August 4 – August 17:
The Morning After – Maureen McGovern
August 18- August 25:
Touch Me in the Morning – Diana Ross
August 25 – September 8:
Brother Louie – Stories
September 8 – September 14:
Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye
September 15 – September 28:
Delta Dawn – Helen Reddy
September 29 – October 5:
We’re An American Band – Grand Funk
October 6 – October 19:
Half-Breed – Cher
October 20 – October 26:
Angie – The Rolling Stones
October 27 – November 9:
Midnight Train To Georgia – Gladys Knight & The Pips
November 10 – November 23:
Keep On Truckin’ (Part 1) – Eddie Kendricks
November 24 – November 30:
Photograph – Ringo Starr
December 1 – December 14:
Top Of The World – The Carpenters
December 15 – December 28:
The Most Beautiful Girl – Charlie Rich
December 29, 1973 – January 14, 1974:
Time In A Bottle – Jim Croce
(Data is compiled from various charts including Billboard’s “Pop,” “Adult Contemporary,” “Airplay,” “R&B” and “Singles” Charts. “Hot 100” is the primary chart used starting October, 1958)
Eligibility Year: October 16, 1971 – October 15, 1972
Musical Highlights and Achievements
Sweep by “The Concert for Bangladesh”: The album, organized by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar, won Album of the Year and demonstrated the power of music to enact social change.
Robert Flack’s “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”: This song won both Record of the Year and Song of the Year, catapulting Roberta Flack to stardom.
Prestigious Newcomer: America won Best New Artist
Engaging Trivia
Country Takeover: With the Grammys being held in Nashville for the first time, there was a noticeable focus on country music, including Charley Pride winning Best Country Vocal Performance.
Repeat Host: Andy Williams hosted the Grammys for several years, but the 1973 event was notable for its location change to Nashville, placing Williams in the heart of country music.
Youth Power: Michael Jackson got his first Grammy nomination at 14 for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special.
Record of the Year:
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Roberta Flack
Album of the Year:
The Concert for Bangla Desh, George Harrison, Ravi Shanker, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Eric Clapton and Klaus Voormann (Apple)
Song of the Year:
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Ewan MacColl, songwriter
Best New Artist of the Year:
America
Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male:
Without You – Nilsson
Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female:
I Am Woman – Helen Reddy
Best Pop Vocal Performance By a Duo, Group or Chorus:
Where Is the Love – Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway
Best Pop Instrumental Performance By an Instrumental Performer:
Outa-Space – Billy Preston
Best Pop Instrumental Performance With Vocal:
Coloring Black Moses, Isaac Hayes
Best Rhythm and Blues Song:
Papa Was a Rolling Stone – Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield, songwriters
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Male:
Me and Mrs. Jones – Billy Paul
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Female:
Young, Gifted and Black, Aretha Franklin
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance By a Duo, Group, or Chorus:
Papa Was a Rolling Stone – Temptations
Best Jazz Performance By a Soloist:
Alone at Last – Gary Burton
Best Jazz Performance By a Group:
First Light – Freddie Hubbard
Best Jazz Performance By a Big Band:
Toga Brava Suite – Duke Ellington
Best Country Vocal Performance, Female:
Happiest Girl in the Whole USA – Donna Fargo
Best Country Vocal Performance, Male:
Charley Pride Sings Heart Songs, Charley Pride
Best Country Vocal Performance By a Duo or Group:
Class of ’57 – Statler Brothers
Best Country Instrumental Performance:
Charlie McCoy/The Real McCoy, Charlie McCoy
Best Country Song:
Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’ – Ben Peters, songwriter
Best Gospel Performance:
L-O-V-E, Blackwood Brothers
Best Soul Gospel Performance:
Amazing Grace – Aretha Franklin
Best Inspirational Performance:
He Touched Me, Elvis Presley
Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording:
The London Muddy Waters Session, Muddy Waters (Chess)
Best Instrumental Arrangement:
Theme From The French Connection – Don Ellis, arranger
Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist:
What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life – Michel Legrand, arranger
Best Instrumental Composition:
Brian’s Song – Michel Legrand, composer
Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album:
Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope, Micki Grant, composer (Polydor)
Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special:
The Godfather, Nino Rota, composer
Album of the Year, Classical:
Mahler, Symphony No. 8 in E-Flat Major (Symphony of a Thousand), Sir Georg Solti conducting Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Boys Choir, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Singverein Chorus and Soloists (London)
Best Classical Performance, Orchestra:
Mahler, Symphony No. 7 in E Minor, Sir Georg Solti conducting Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Best Chamber Music Performance:
Julian and John, Julian Bream and John Williams
Best Instrumental Soloist Performance, Classical:
(With Orchestra) Brahms, Concerto No. 2, Artur Rubinstein
Best Instrumental Soloist Performance, Classical (Without Orchestra):
Horowitz Plays Chopin, Vladimir Horowitz
Best Opera Recording:
Berlioz, Benvenuto Cellini, Colin Davis conducting BBC Symphony and Chorus of Covent Garden (Philips)
Best Choral Performance, Classical:
Mahler, Symphony No. 8 in E-Flat Major (Symphony of a Thousand), Sir Georg Solti conducting Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Boys Choir, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Singverein Chorus and Soloists
Best Vocal Soloist Performance, Classical:
Brahms, Die Schöne Magelone, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Best Comedy Recording:
FM and AM, George Carlin (Little David)
Best Spoken Word Recording:
Lenny, Original Cast (Blue Thumb)
Best Recording for Children:
The Electric Company, Lee Chamberlin, Bill Cosby and Rita Moreno (Warner Bros.)
Best Album Cover:
The Siegel Schwall Band, Acy Lehman, art director; Harvey Dinnerstein, artist (Wooden Nickel)
Best Album Notes:
Tom T. Hall’s Greatest Hits, Tom T. Hall, annotator (Mercury)
Best Album Notes, Classical:
Williams, Symphony No. 2, James Lyons, annotator (RCA)
“Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon,” a groundbreaking and influential progressive rock album, was released on March 1, 1973, and has since become one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed albums in music history.
The album was created by the British rock band Pink Floyd, which at the time consisted of Roger Waters (bass and vocals), David Gilmour (guitar and vocals), Richard Wright (keyboards and vocals), and Nick Mason (drums). “The Dark Side of the Moon” was the band’s eighth studio album and marked a significant departure from their earlier psychedelic sound, as it delved into themes of life, death, mental health, and the human experience.
Recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London and produced by Pink Floyd and engineer Alan Parsons, the album is known for its innovative use of sound effects, multi-layered instrumentation, and sophisticated production techniques. Iconic tracks such as “Money,” “Time,” “Us and Them,” and “Brain Damage” are still celebrated today for their emotional resonance and technical brilliance.
Upon its release, “The Dark Side of the Moon” was met with widespread critical acclaim and commercial success. The album topped the charts in multiple countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, and has sold an estimated 45 million copies worldwide. It also holds the record for the longest time spent on the Billboard 200 chart, with over 900 weeks.
The legacy of “The Dark Side of the Moon” is immense, as it has influenced countless musicians and bands across various genres and has been praised for its progressive and experimental approach to music-making. The album’s iconic cover art, designed by Storm Thorgerson and featuring a prism refracting light into a rainbow, symbolizes Pink Floyd and the progressive rock genre. In recognition of its enduring impact and cultural significance, “The Dark Side of the Moon” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and selected for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2013.
December 25, 1971 – January 14, 1972:
Brand New Key – Melanie
January 15 – February 11:
American Pie – Don McLean
February 12 – February 18:
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
February 19 – March 17:
Without You – Nilsson
March 18 – March 24:
Heart of Gold – Neil Young
March 25 – April 14:
A Horse With No Name – America
April 15 – May 26:
The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face – Roberta Flack
May 27 – June 2:
Oh Girl – Chi-Lites
June 3 – June 9:
I’ll Take You There – The Staple Singers
June 10 – June 30:
The Candy Man – Sammy Davis, Jr.
July 1 – July 7:
Song Sung Blue – Neil Diamond
July 8 – July 30:
Lean on Me – Bill Withers
July 29 – August 25:
Alone Again (Naturally) – Gilbert O’ Sullivan
August 26 – September 1:
Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl) – Looking Glass
September 2 – September 15:
Alone Again (Naturally) – Gilbert O’Sullivan
September 16 – September 22:
Black and White – Three Dog Night
September 23 – October 13:
Baby, Don’t Get Hooked On Me – Mac Davis
October 14 – October 20:
Ben – Michael Jackson
October 21 – November 3:
My Ding-A-Ling – Chuck Berry
November 4 – December 1:
I Can See Clearly Now – Johnny Nash
December 2 – December 8:
Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone – The Temptations
December 9 – December 15:
I Am Woman – Helen Reddy
December 16, 1972 – January 5, 1973:
Me and Mrs. Jones – Billy Paul
(Data is compiled from various charts including Billboard’s “Pop,” “Adult Contemporary,” “Airplay,” “R&B” and “Singles” Charts. “Hot 100” is the primary chart used starting October, 1958)
Eligibility Year: October 16, 1970 – October 15, 1971
Quick Hits
Carole King’s Sweep: Carole King won multiple awards for her album “Tapestry,” including Album of the Year and Song of the Year for “You’ve Got a Friend.”
Funky Train Ride: Isaac Hayes took home the Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special for “Shaft.”
Up-and-Comers: The Carpenters won Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus for their hit “Carpenters.”
Noteworthy Tidbits
Jazz Milestone: Bill Evans’ “The Bill Evans Album” nabbed the Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Soloist.
Country Roots: Jerry Reed’s “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot” clinched the Best Country Vocal Performance, Male.
Harmony in R&B: Aretha Franklin continued her reign as the Queen of Soul by winning Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female for “Bridge over Troubled Water.”
Song of the Year:
You’ve Got a Friend – Carole King, songwriter
Best New Artist of the Year:
Carly Simon
Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male:
You’ve Got a Friend – James Taylor
Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female:
Tapestry, Carole King
Best Pop Vocal Performance By a Group:
Carpenters, Carpenters
Best Pop Instrumental Performance:
Smackwater Jack, Quincy Jones
Best Rhythm and Blues Song:
Ain’t No Sunshine – Bill Withers, songwriter
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Male:
A Natural Man – Lou Rawls
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Female:
Bridge Over Troubled Water – Aretha Franklin
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance By a Group:
Proud Mary – Ike and Tina Turner
Best Jazz Performance By a Soloist:
The Bill Evans Album, Bill Evans
Best Jazz Performance By a Group:
The Bill Evans Album, Bill Evans Trio
Best Jazz Performance By a Big Band:
New Orleans Suite – Duke Ellington
Best Country Song:
Help Me Make It Through the Night – Kris Kristofferson, songwriter
Best Country Vocal Performance, Male:
When You’re Hot, You’re Hot – Jerry Reed
Best Country Vocal Performance, Female:
Help Me Make It Through the Night – Sammi Smith
Best Country Vocal Performance By a Group:
After the Fire Is Gone – Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn
Best Country Instrumental Performance:
Snowbird – Chet Atkins
Best Gospel Performance (Other Than Soul Gospel):
Let Me Live – Charley Pride
Best Soul Gospel Performance:
Put Your Hand in the Hand of the Man From Galilee, Shirley Caesar
Best Sacred Performance:
Did You Think to Pray, Charley Pride
Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording:
They Call Me Muddy Waters, Muddy Waters (Chess)
Best Instrumental Arrangement:
Theme From Shaft – Isaac Hayes and Johnny Allen, arrangers
Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s):
Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey – Paul McCartney, arranger
Best Instrumental Composition:
Theme From Summer of ’42 – Michel Legrand, composer
Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album:
Godspell, Stephen Schwartz, composer and producer (Bell)
Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special:
Shaft, Isaac Hayes, composer
Album of the Year, Classical:
Horowitz Plays Rachmaninoff, Vladimir Horowitz (Columbia)
Best Classical Performance, Orchestra:
Mahler, Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Carlo Maria Giulini conducting Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Best Chamber Music Performance:
Debussy, Quartet in G Minor, Ravel, Quartet in F Major, Juilliard Quartet
Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist(s) (With Orchestra):
Villa-Lobos, Concerto for Guitar, Julian Bream; André Previn conducting London Symphony
Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist(s) (Without Orchestra):
Horowitz Plays Rachmaninoff, Vladimir Horowitz
Best Opera Recording:
Verdi, Aïda, Erich Leinsdorf conducting London Symphony Orchestra; solos: Price, Domingo, Milnes, Bumbry and Raimondi (RCA)
Best Choral Performance, Classical (Other Than Opera):
Berlioz, Requiem, Colin Davis conducting London Symphony Orchestra; Russell Burgess conducting Wandsworth School Boys Choir; Arthur Oldham conducting London Symphony Chorus
Best Classical Vocal Soloist Performance:
Leontyne Price Sings Robert Schumann, Leontyne Price
Best Comedy Recording:
This Is a Recording, Lily Tomlin (Polydor)
Best Spoken Word Recording:
Desiderata, Les Crane (Warner Bros.)
Best Recording for Children:
Bill Cosby Talks to Kids About Drugs, Bill Cosby (Uni)
Best Album Cover:
Pollution, Dean O. Torrance, album design; Gene Brownell, art director (Prophesy)
Best Album Notes:
Sam, Hard and Heavy, Sam Samudio, annotator (Atlantic)
December 26, 1970 – January 22, 1971:
My Sweet Lord – George Harrison
January 23 – February 12:
Knock Three Times – Dawn
February 13 – March 19:
One Bad Apple – The Osmonds
March 20 – April 2:
Me and Bobby McGee – Janis Joplin
April 3 – April 16:
Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) – The Temptations
April 17 – May 28:
Joy To The World – Three Dog Night
May 29 – July 11:
Brown Sugar – The Rolling Stones
June 12 – July 18:
Want Ads – The Honey Cone
June 19 – July 23:
It’s Too Late – Carole King
July 24 – July 30:
Indian Reservation (The Lament Of The Cherokee Reservation Indian) – The Raiders
July 31 – August 6:
You’ve Got a Friend – James Taylor
August 7 – September 3:
How Can You Mend A Broken Heart – The Bee Gees
September 4 – September 10:
Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey – Paul McCartney & Linda McCartney
September 11 – October 1:
Go Away Little Girl – Donny Osmond
October 2 – November 5:
Maggie May – Rod Stewart
November 6 – November 19:
Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves – Cher
November 20 – December 3:
Theme From Shaft – Isaac Hayes
December 4 – December 24:
Family Affair – Sly & The Family Stone
December 25, 1971 – – January 14, 1972:
Brand New Key – Melanie
(Data is compiled from various charts including Billboard’s “Pop,” “Adult Contemporary,” “Airplay,” “R&B” and “Singles” Charts. “Hot 100” is the primary chart used starting October, 1958)
Winners Announced: March 16, 1971 Held at: Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, California Host: Andy Williams Eligibility Year: November 2, 1969 – October 15, 1970
Award Highlights and Musical Milestones
Bridge Over Troubled Water Triumphs: The iconic duo Simon & Garfunkel walked away with six Grammys for their album Bridge Over Troubled Water, including Album of the Year.
Country Breaks Through: Ray Stevens won Song of the Year for his heartwarming tune Everything Is Beautiful, showcasing the growing influence of country music in mainstream culture.
A Cappella Magic: The Manhattan Transfer earned their first Grammy Award in the Best New Artist category, making waves with their unique a cappella stylings.
Trivia and Little-Known Facts
Andy Williams, the Charming Host: Andy Williams, also known for his holiday specials, was the evening’s host, adding a touch of nostalgic elegance.
Dynamic Duos: Simon & Garfunkel’s Album of the Year win was unusual for a duo, a trend that would become more frequent in the years to come.
Eligibility Tweaks: Notice that the eligibility year cut-off changed, ending on October 15th instead of November. It would continue to shift in subsequent years.
Record of the Year:
Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon and Garfunkel
Album of the Year:
Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon and Garfunkel (Columbia)
Song of the Year:
Bridge Over Troubled Water – Paul Simon, songwriter
Best New Artist of the Year:
Carpenters
Best Contemporary Song:
Bridge Over Troubled Water – Paul Simon, songwriter
Best Contemporary Vocal Performance, Male:
Everything Is Beautiful – Ray Stevens
Best Contemporary Vocal Performance, Female:
I’ll Never Fall in Love Again, Dionne Warwick
Best Contemporary Vocal Performance By a Group:
Close to You – Carpenters
Best Contemporary Instrumental Performance:
Theme From Z and Other Film Music, Henry Mancini
Best Rhythm and Blues Song:
Patches – Ronald Dunbar and General Johnson, songwriters
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Male:
The Thrill Is Gone – B.B. King
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Female:
Don’t Play That Song – Aretha Franklin
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance By a Duo or Group:
Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time) – Delfonics
Best Jazz Performance, Small Group or Soloist With Small Group:
Alone, Bill Evans
Best Jazz Performance, Large Group or Soloist With Large Group:
Bitches Brew, Miles Davis
Best Country Song:
My Woman, My Woman, My Wife – Marty Robbins, songwriter
Best Country Vocal Performance, Male:
For the Good Times – Ray Price
Best Country Vocal Performance, Female:
Rose Garden – Lynn Anderson
Best Country Performance By a Duo or Group:
If I Were a Carpenter – Johnny Cash and June Carter
Best Country Instrumental Performance:
Me and Jerry, Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed
Best Gospel Performance (Other Than Soul Gospel):
Talk About the Good Times – Oak Ridge Boys
Best Soul Gospel Performance:
Every Man Wants to Be Free – Edwin Hawkins Singers
Best Sacred Performance:
Everything Is Beautiful – Jake Hess
Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording:
Good Feelin’ – T-Bone Walker (Polydor)
Best Instrumental Arrangement:
Theme From Z – Henry Mancini, arranger
Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s):
Bridge Over Troubled Water – Paul Simon, Arthur Garfunkel, Jimmie Haskell, Ernie Freeman and Larry Knechtel, arrangers
Best Instrumental Composition:
Airport Love Theme – Alfred Newman, composer
Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album:
Company, Stephen Sondheim, composer (Columbia)
Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special:
Let It Be, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, composers
Album of the Year, Classical:
Berlioz, Les Troyens, Colin Davis conducting Royal Opera House Orchestra and Chorus; solos: Vickers, Veasey and Lindholm (Philips)
Best Classical Performance, Orchestra:
Stravinsky, Le Sacre du Printemps, Pierre Boulez conducting Cleveland Orchestra
Best Chamber Music Performance:
Beethoven, The Complete Piano Trios, Eugene Istomin, Isaac Stern and Leonard Rose
Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist(s) (With or Without Orchestra):
Brahms, Double Concerto (Concerto in A Minor for Violin and Cello), David Oistrakh and Mstislav Rostropovich
Best Choral Performance (Other Than Opera):
New Music of Charles Ives, Gregg Smith conducting Gregg Smith Singers and Columbia Chamber Ensemble
Best Opera Recording:
Berlioz, Les Troyens, Colin Davis conducting Royal Opera House Orchestra and Chorus; solos: Vickers, Veasey and Lindholm (Philips)
Best Vocal Soloist Performance, Classical:
Schubert, Lieder, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Best Comedy Recording:
The Devil Made Me Buy This Dress, Flip Wilson (Little David)
Best Spoken Word Recording:
Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Black Forum)
Best Recording for Children:
Sesame Street, Sesame Street cast (Columbia)
Best Album Cover:
Indianola Mississippi Seeds, Robert Lockart, cover design; Ivan Nagy, photography (ABC)
Best Album Notes:
The World’s Greatest Blues Singer, Chris Albertson, annotator (Columbia)
December 27, 1969 – January 2, 1970:
Someday We’ll Be Together – Diana Ross & The Supremes
January 3 – January 30:
Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head – B. J. Thomas
January 31 – February 6:
I Want You Back – The Jackson 5
February 7 – February 13:
Venus – The Shocking Blue
February 14 – February 27:
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) – Sly & The Family Stone
February 28 – April 10:
Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel
April 11 – April 24:
Let It Be – The Beatles
April 25 – May 8:
ABC – The Jackson 5
May 9 – May 29:
American Woman – The Guess Who
May 30 – June 12:
Everything Is Beautiful – Ray Stevens
June 13 – June 26:
The Long And Winding Road – The Beatles
June 27 – July 10:
The Love You Save – The Jackson 5
July 11 – July 24:
Mama Told Me (Not To Come) – Three Dog Night
July 25 – August 21:
(They Long To Be) Close To You – The Carpenters
August 22 – August 28:
Make It With You – Bread
August 29 – September 18:
War – Edwin Starr
September 19 – October 9:
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Diana Ross
October 10 – October 16:
Cracklin’ Rosie – Neil Diamond
October 17 – November 20:
I’ll Be There – The Jackson 5
November 21 – December 12:
I Think I Love You – The Partridge Family
December 12 – December 25:
The Tears of a Clown – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
December 26, 1970 – January 22, 1971:
My Sweet Lord – George Harrison
(Data is compiled from various charts including Billboard’s “Pop,” “Airplay,” “R&B” and “Singles” Charts. “Hot 100” is the primary chart used starting October, 1958)
WABX Free Concerts on Sundays on the WSU Campus Tartar Field
After my first enlistment expired, I moved back to Detroit and enrolled in college at the Wayne State University. After first trying to get into the medical school, I decided to major in fine art, but later realizing where the money was, switched to commercial photography. Under the GI bill, I actually made money going to school since I lived with my mom and didn’t have to pay for housing.
Wayne State University (WSU) is an American public research university and the third largest university in the state of Michigan. The WSU main campus comprises 195 acres linking more than 100 education and research buildings. All in the center of the city. In fact, it wasn’t unusual to see the Woodward Avenue street hookers being chased across our campus by the police.
This was the 1970s, a year after Woodstock, during the Vietnam war, and only three years after the street riots. Being a veteran, there was some resentment from my classmates at first, but that disappeared when they realized that I wasn’t the typical “gung ho” military guy. I participated in anti war protests, supported the Black Panther Party, and listened to “rock” music. In fact, I could probably be heard blocks away from the campus with Jethro Tull’s Aqualung blaring from the four big speakers in my 1965 red Corvair Monza convertible. I had an Afro, wore bell bottom hip hugging trousers, and the latest Carnaby Street fashions from England. I didn’t take drugs or even smoke grass, but I knew all about it. Having rolled cigarettes as a kid, I could roll a mean joint.
One thing that stood out while attending college were the “free” Sunday concerts on the WSU campus Tartar Field by WABX in the late 1960s and early 1970s featuring musicians like Chuck & Joni Mitchell, Alice Cooper, MC5, The Stooges, Savage Grace, Ted Nugent, Grand Funk Railroad, SRC, Stoney and Meatloaf, Rare Earth, Frigid Pink, and many others. There would be hundreds, maybe thousands of youngsters gathered on the grass, mostly students, but also some neighborhood folk. It wasn’t unusual for a girl to ask you over to her place for the night, or the guy sitting next to you to offer you a joint. No arguing, no fighting, no shootings. If you had transportation, you got burdened with taking people home or being invited to parties.
On one such night, I ended up in the all White neighborhood of GrosseIle, about 25 miles from Detroit and spent the night there with a friend. He told me later that his neighbors were “shocked” to see a Black person in their neighborhood.
During one Rare Earth concert, for example, a guy asked me to save his spot in the grass and left. He returned a few minutes later with two cases of wine that he simply passed out to the audience. He owned a liquor store just down the street.
Fredric Durrette served one tour in Vietnam, retired as E8 in the navy submarine service after 23 years. Major hobbies are collecting old stuff from the 20s and restoring old racing bicycles. Worked as a commercial photographer at JL Hudsons in Detroit and continue photography as a hobby. Love Sade, sixties soul, seventies rock, and all jazz. Attended Woodstock in 69! http://snakesafe.jalbum.net/
Winners Announced: March 11, 1970 Televised: “Best On Record” May 7, 1970 Held at: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville & New York Hosts: Bill Cosby (Los Angeles), Merv Griffin (New York), Regis Philbin (Chicago), Jack Palance (Nashville), Steve Alaimo (Atlanta) Eligibility Year: November 2, 1968 – November 1, 1969
Musical Highlights and Achievements
Blood, Sweat & Tears Triumph: The self-titled album not only won Album of the Year but also set the bar for future fusion jazz albums.
Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In Shines: This 5th Dimension track took home Record of the Year and Best Contemporary Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus.
Joe South’s Double Play: South won Song of the Year and Best Contemporary Song for his anti-war anthem Games People Play.
Trivia and Fascinating Tidbits
Multiple Cities, Multiple Hosts: For the first time, the Grammys were hosted in five different cities, each with their own unique host.
Johnny Cash’s Unique Win: Cash snagged Best Country Vocal Performance for A Boy Named Sue, a live recording from his San Quentin prison concert.
Record of the Year:
Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In – 5th Dimension
Album of the Year:
Blood, Sweat and Tears, Blood, Sweat and Tears (Columbia)
Song of the Year:
Games People Play – Joe South, songwriter
Best New Artist of 1969:
Crosby, Stills and Nash
Best Contemporary Song:
Games People Play – Joe South, songwriter
Best Contemporary Vocal Performance, Male:
Everybody’s Talkin’ – Harry Nilsson
Best Contemporary Vocal Performance, Female:
Is That All There Is – Peggy Lee
Best Contemporary Vocal Performance By a Group:
Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In – 5th Dimension
Best Contemporary Performance By a Chorus:
Love Theme From Romeo and Juliet – Percy Faith Orchestra and Chorus
Best Contemporary Instrumental Performance:
Variations on a Theme by Eric Satie – Blood, Sweat and Tears
Best Rhythm and Blues Song:
Color Him Father – Richard Spencer, songwriter
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Male:
The Chokin’ Kind – Joe Simon
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Female:
Share Your Love With Me – Aretha Franklin
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance By a Group or Duo:
It’s Your Thing – Isley Brothers
Best Rhythm and Blues Instrumental Performance:
Games People Play – King Curtis
Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, Small Group or Soloist With Small Group:
Willow Weep for Me, Wes Montgomery
Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, Large Group or Soloist With Large Group:
Walking in Space – Quincy Jones
Best Country Song:
A Boy Named Sue – Shel Silverstein, songwriter
Best Country Vocal Performance, Male:
A Boy Named Sue – Johnny Cash
Best Country Vocal Performance, Female:
Stand by Your Man, Tammy Wynette
Best Country Performance By a Duo or Group:
MacArthur Park – Waylon Jennings and the Kimberlys
Best Country Instrumental Performance:
The Nashville Brass Featuring Danny Davis Play More Nashville Sounds, Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass
Best Gospel Performance:
In Gospel Country – Porter Wagoner and the Blackwood Brothers
Best Soul Gospel Performance:
Oh Happy Day, Edwin Hawkins Singers
Best Sacred Performance:
Ain’t That Beautiful Singing – Jake Hess
Best Folk Performance:
Clouds, Joni Mitchell
Best Instrumental Arrangement:
Love Theme From Romeo and Juliet – Henry Mancini, arranger
Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s):
Spinning Wheel – Fred Lipsius, arranger
Best Instrumental Theme:
Midnight Cowboy, John Barry, composer
Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album:
Promises, Promises, Burt Bacharach and Hal Davis, composers (Liberty)
Best Original Score Written for Motion Picture or Television:
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Burt Bacharach, composer
Album of the Year, Classical:
Switched-On Bach, Walter Carlos (Columbia)
Best Classical Performance, Orchestra:
Boulez Conducts Debussy, Vol. 2 Images Pour Orchestre – Pierre Boulez conducting Cleveland Orchestra
Best Chamber Music Performance:
Gabrieli, Antiphonal Music of Gabrieli (Canzoni for Brass Choirs), the Philadelphia, Cleveland and Chicago Brass ensembles
Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist(s) (With or Without Orchestra):
Switched-On Bach, Walter Carlos
Best Opera Recording:
Wagner, Siegfried, Herbert von Karajan conducting Berlin Philharmonic; solos: Thomas, Stewart, Stolze, Dernesch, Keleman, Dominguez, Gayer and Ridderbusch (Deutsche Grammophon)
Best Choral Performance (Other Than Opera):
Berio, Sinfonia, Swingle Singers; Ward Swingle, choral master; Luciano Berio conducting New York Philharmonic
Best Vocal Soloist Performance, Classical:
Barber, Two Scenes From Antony and Cleopatra ; Knoxville, Summer of 1915, Leontyne Price; Thomas Schippers conducting New Philharmonia
Best Comedy Recording:
Bill Cosby, Bill Cosby (Uni)
Best Spoken Word Recording:
We Love You, Call Collect, Art Linkletter and Diane (Word/Capitol)
Best Recording for Children:
Peter, Paul and Mommy, Peter, Paul and Mary (Warner Bros.)
Best Album Cover:
America the Beautiful, Evelyn J. Kelbish, painting; David Stahlberg, graphics (Skye)
Best Album Notes:
Nashville Skyline, Johnny Cash, annotator (Columbia)
December 14, 1968 – January 31, 1969:
Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through the Grapevine
February 1, 1969 – February 14, 1969:
Tommy James & the Shondells – Crimson and Clover
February 15, 1969 – March 14, 1969:
Sly and the Family Stone – Everyday People
March 15, 1969 – April 11, 1969:
Tommy Roe – Dizzy
April 12, 1969 – May 23, 1969:
The 5th Dimension – Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In
May 24, 1969 – June 27, 1969:
The Beatles with Billy Preston – Get Back
June 28, 1969 – July 11, 1969:
Henry Mancini – Love Theme from ‘Romeo And Juliet’
July 12, 1969 – August 22, 1969:
Zager and Evans – In the Year 2525
August 23, 1969 – September 19, 1969:
The Rolling Stones – Honky Tonk Women
September 20, 1969 – October 17, 1969:
The Archies – Sugar, Sugar
October 18, 1969 – October 31, 1969:
The Temptations – I Can’t Get Next To You
November 1, 1969 – November 7, 1969:
Elvis Presley – Suspicious Minds
November 8, 1969 – November 28, 1969:
The 5th Dimension – Wedding Bell Blues
November 29, 1969 – December 5, 1969:
The Beatles – Come Together / Something
December 6, 1969 – December 19, 1969:
Steam – Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye
December 20, 1969 – December 26, 1969:
Peter, Paul & Mary – Leaving on a Jet Plane
December 27, 1969 – January 2, 1970:
Diana Ross & the Supremes – Someday We’ll Be Together
(Data is compiled from various charts including Billboard’s “Pop,” “Airplay,” “R&B” and “Singles” Charts. “Hot 100” is the primary chart used starting October, 1958)
Music has been the source of sexual discovery for a very long time. In different eras, the style of the music that was considered erotic or sexy changed. A few decades can make the difference between an amorous connection or a silly novelty song. Here is a mix from many from the half-century before this one.
Old Time Double Entendre, Sexy &Seduction Songs, Film Scores, with a little hot Rock and Roll.
1.
The Stripper – David Rose
2.
Let’s Spend The Night Together – The Rolling
Stones
3.
Fever – Peggy Lee
4.
Ebb Tide – The Righteous Brothers
5.
Sixty Minute Man – The Dominoes
6.
Lay Lady Lay – Bob Dylan
7.
Makin’ Whoopee! – Eddie Cantor, 1928
8.
Please Please Me – The Beatles
9.
Let’s Misbehave – Ben Bernie
10.
I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl – Nina Simone
11.
Je T’Aime… Moi Non Plus – Jane Birkin and
Serge Gainsbourg
12.
Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin
13.
I Just Want to Make Love to You – Etta James
14.
Nights in White Satin – Moody Blues
15.
Yes Sir, That’s My Baby – various, 1925
16.
Just A Gigolo – Louis Prima & Keely Smith
17.
The Look of Love – Dusty Springfield
18.
I Get Ideas – Tony Martin, 1950
19.
The House of the Rising Sun – The Animals
20.
Handy Man – Jimmy Jones
21.
One Night – Elvis Presley
22.
Boléro – Maurice Ravel, 1928
23.
In The Midnight Hour – Wilson Pickett
24.
Why Don’t We Do It In The Road – The Beatles
25.
Love Is Strange – Mickey & Sylvia
26.
Boom Boom – John Lee Hooker
27.
You Got To Give Me Some – Bessie Smith
28.
A Guy What Takes His Time – Mae West
29.
Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon – Gary Puckett
& The Union Gap
30.
Carolina in the Morning – various, 1923
31.
I Love Ya Then I Need Ya – Eartha Kitt
32.
Fever – Elvis Presley
33.
The Orgy (From The Conan The Barbarian Soundtrack)
– Basil Poledouris’, 1980
34.
Walkin’ the Dog – Rufus Thomas
35.
I Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl – Bessie Smith
36.
I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) – Aretha
Franklin
37.
I Want To Be Bad – Helen Kane
38.
Harlen Nocturn – The Viscounts
39.
Too Hot Too Handle – Jayne Mansfield
40.
Hard To Handle – Otis Redding
41.
Night Train – The Viscounts
42.
Lover Man – Billie Holiday
43.
Bacchanale from Daphnis et Chloé (Daphnis
and Chloe) – Maurice Ravel
44.
What’s New Pussycat? – Tom Jones
45.
Good Golly Miss Molly – Little Richard
46.
Shave ‘Em Dry – Lucille Bogan
47.
I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man – Muddy Waters
48.
Bacchanale from Samson et Dalila (Samson and Delilah)
– Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns, 1877
49.
Squeeze Box – The Who
50.
Buffalo Gals – various
51.
If It Don’t Fit (Don’t Force It) – Los Enemigos
52.
Sonata Erotica – Erwin Schulhoff
53.
Foxey Lady – Jimi Hendrix
54.
Dance of the Seven Veils (Salomé) – Richard
Strauss, various, based on the biblical era story of Salome
and John the Baptist
55.
Gotta Gimme Whatcha Got – Julia Lee
56.
Comin’ Thro’ the Rye – Robert Burns
57.
Tom Cat – Muddy Waters
58.
Keep On Churnin’ – Wynonie Harris
59.
These Arms of Mine – Otis Redding
60.
Strip Polka – The Andrews Sisters
61.
A Man For Every Day Of The Week – Sippie Wallace
62.
Come Again, Sweet Love Doth Now Invite – John
Dowland, late 1500s
63.
Love Man – Otis Redding
64.
Whatever Lola Wants – Carmen McRae
65.
Sam The Hot Dog Man – Lil Johnson
66.
Opening of Der Rosenkavalier – Richard Strauss,
1911
Winners Announced: March 12, 1969 Televised “Best On Record”: May 5, 1969 Held at: Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville & New York Opening/Closing: Rowan and Martin Eligibility Year: November 2, 1967 – November 1, 1968
Musical Highlights and Achievements
By the Time I Get to Phoenix Emerges Victorious: Glen Campbell’s hit album won the Album of the Year, highlighting the influence of country-pop during this period.
Simon & Garfunkel’s Mrs. Robinson: The iconic song from The Graduate won Record of the Year.
Jazz Legend Gets Recognized: Duke Ellington won Best Original Jazz Composition for “In the Beginning God,” marking a significant win for the jazz community.
Trivia and Noteworthy Moments
Comedy Duo: Rowan and Martin, popular for their sketch comedy show Laugh-In, served as the Opening and Closing act, adding humor to the proceedings.
A Night of Firsts: José Feliciano snagged Best New Artist, making history as the first artist to win that category with an album primarily sung in Spanish.
Cross-Genre Appreciation: The Grammys were diverse this year, with winners spanning from jazz and country to rock and folk, reflecting the eclectic musical tastes of the late ’60s.
Record of the Year:
Mrs. Robinson – Simon and Garfunkel
Album of the Year:
By the Time I Get to Phoenix, Glen Campbell (Capitol)
Song of the Year:
Little Green Apples – Bobby Russell, songwriter
Best New Artist of 1968:
José Feliciano
Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Performance, Male:
Light My Fire – José Feliciano
Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Performance, Female:
Do You Know the Way to San Jose – Dionne Warwick
Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Performance, Duo or Group:
Mrs. Robinson – Simon and Garfunkel
Best Contemporary Pop Performance, Chorus:
Mission Impossible/Norwegian Wood (medley), Alan Copeland Singers
Best Contemporary Pop Performance, Instrumental:
Classical Gas – Mason Williams
Best Rhythm and Blues Song:
(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding and Steve Cropper, songwriters
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Male:
(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Female:
Chain of Fools – Aretha Franklin
Best Rhythm and Blues Performance By a Duo or Group, Vocal or Instrumental:
Cloud Nine – The Temptations
Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, Small Group or Soloist With Small Group:
Bill Evans at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Bill Evans Trio
Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, Large Group or Soloist With Large Group:
And His Mother Called Him Bill – Duke Ellington
Best Country Song:
Little Green Apples – Bobby Russell, songwriter
Best Country Vocal Performance, Male:
Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash
Best Country Vocal Performance, Female:
Harper Valley P.T.A. – Jeannie C. Riley
Best Country Performance, Duo or Group Vocal or Instrumental:
Foggy Mountain Breakdown – Flatt and Scruggs
Best Sacred Performance:
Beautiful Isle of Somewhere – Jack Hess
Best Gospel Performance:
The Happy Gospel of the Happy Goodmans, Happy Goodman Family
Best Soul Gospel Performance:
The Soul of Me – Dottie Rambo
Best Folk Performance:
Both Sides Now – Judy Collins
Best Instrumental Arrangement:
Classical Gas – Mike Post, arranger
Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s):
MacArthur Park – Jimmy L. Webb, arranger
Best Instrumental Theme:
Classical Gas – Mason Williams, composer
Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album:
Hair, Gerome Ragni, James Rado and Galt MacDermott, composers (RCA)
Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special:
The Graduate, Paul Simon and Dave Grusin, composers
Best Classical Performance, Orchestra:
Boulez Conducts Debussy, Pierre Boulez conducting New Philharmonia Orchestra
Best Chamber Music Performance:
Gabrieli, Canzoni for Brass, Winds, Strings and Organ, E. Power Biggs with Edward Tarr Ensemble and Gabrieli Consort; Vittorio Negri, conductor
Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist(s) (With or Without Orchestra):
Horowitz on Television, Vladimir Horowitz
Best Opera Recording:
Mozart, Cosi fan tutte, Erich Leinsdorf conducting New Philharmonia Orchestra and Ambrosian Opera Chorus; solos: Price, Raskin, Troyanos, Milnes, Shirley and Flagello (RCA)
Best Choral Performance (Other Than Opera):
The Glory of Gabrieli, Vittorio Negri conducting Gregg Smith Singers and Texas Boys Choir; George Bragg directing Edward Tarr Ensemble with E. Power Biggs
Best Classical Vocal Soloist Performance:
Rossini Rarities, Montserrat Caballe; Carlo Felice Cillario conducting RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra and Chorus
Best Comedy Recording:
To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With, Bill Cosby (Warner Bros.)
Best Spoken Word Recording:
Lonesome Cities, Rod McKuen (Warner Bros.-Seven Arts)
Best Album Cover:
Underground, John Berg and Richard Mantel, art directors (Columbia)
Best Album Notes:
Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, Johnny Cash, annotator
December 30, 1967 – January 19, 1968:
The Beatles – Hello, Goodbye
January 20, 1968 – February 2, 1968:
John Fred & His Playboy Band – Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)
February 3, 1968 – February 9, 1968:
The Lemon Pipers – Green Tambourine
February 10, 1968 – March 15, 1968:
Paul Mauriat – Love Is Blue
March 16, 1968 – April 12, 1968:
Otis Redding – (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay
April 13, 1968 – May 17, 1968:
Bobby Goldsboro – Honey
May 18, 1968 – May 3, 1968:
Archie Bell & the Drells – Tighten Up
June 1, 1968 – June 21, 1968:
Simon & Garfunkel – Mrs. Robinson
June 22, 1968 – July 19, 1968:
Herb Alpert – This Guy’s in Love with You
July 20, 1968 – August 2, 1968:
Hugh Masekela – Grazing in the Grass
August 3, 1968 – August 16, 1968:
The Doors – Hello, I Love You
August 17, 1968 – September 20, 1968:
Young Rascals – People Got to Be Free
September 21, 1968 – September 27, 1968:
Jeannie C. Riley – Harper Valley P.T.A.
September 28, 1968 – November 29, 1968:
The Beatles – Hey Jude
November 30, 1968 – December 13, 1968:
Diana Ross & the Supremes – Love Child
December 14, 1968 – January 31, 1969:
Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through the Grapevine
(Data is compiled from various charts including Billboard’s “Pop,” “Airplay,” “R&B” and “Singles” Charts. “Hot 100” is the primary chart used starting October, 1958)
Winners Announced: February 29, 1968 Televised: “Best On Record” May 8, 1968 Held at: Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York Eligibility Year: November 2, 1966 – November 1, 1967
Musical Highlights and Achievements
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Dominates: The Beatles’ groundbreaking album won four Grammys, including Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Album.
Hello, Dolly!: Louis Armstrong received the Grammy for Best Male Vocal Performance for the song Hello, Dolly!, becoming the oldest Grammy winner at that time.
Fifth Dimension’s Big Win: The Fifth Dimension won Record of the Year for their hit single Up, Up and Away, also taking home the Grammy for Best Performance by a Vocal Group.
Trivia
Beatles Making History: The Beatles became the first rock act to win Album of the Year, a landmark moment in Grammy history.
Bobbie Gentry’s Breakout: Bobbie Gentry, a relative newcomer, won Best New Artist, marking the start of her promising career.
Leap Year Ceremony: Interestingly, the awards ceremony occurred on a leap day—February 29.
Record of the Year:
Up, Up and Away – 5th Dimension
Album of the Year:
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles (Capitol)
Song of the Year:
Up, Up and Away – Jimmy L. Webb, songwriter
Best New Artist:
Bobbie Gentry
Best Vocal Performance, Male:
By the Time I Get to Phoenix – Glen Campbell
Best Vocal Performance, Female:
Ode to Billie Joe – Bobbie Gentry
Best Performance By a Vocal Group (Two to Six Persons):
Up, Up and Away – 5th Dimension
Best Performance By a Chorus (Seven or More Persons):
Up, Up and Away – Johnny Mann Singers
Best Contemporary Single:
Up, Up and Away – 5th Dimension
Best Contemporary Album:
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles (Capitol)
Best Contemporary Male Solo Vocal Performance:
By the Time I Get to Phoenix – Glen Campbell
Best Contemporary Female Solo Vocal Performance:
Ode to Billie Joe – Bobbie Gentry
Best Contemporary Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental:
Up, Up and Away – 5th Dimension
Best Rhythm and Blues Recording:
Respect – Aretha Franklin (Atlantic)
Best Rhythm and Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Male:
Dead End Street – Lou Rawls
Best Rhythm and Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female:
Respect – Aretha Franklin
Best Rhythm and Blues Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental (Two or More):
Soul Man – Sam and Dave
Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, Small Group or Soloist With Small Group:
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, Cannonball Adderley Quintet
Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, Large Group or Soloist With Large Group:
Far East Suite – Duke Ellington
Best Country and Western Song:
Gentle on My Mind John Hartford, songwriter
Best Country and Western Recording:
Gentle on My Mind – Glen Campbell (Capitol)
Best Country and Western Solo Vocal Performance, Male:
Gentle on My Mind – Glen Campbell
Best Country and Western Solo Vocal Performance, Female:
I Don’t Wanna Play House – Tammy Wynette
Best Country and Western Performance, Duet, Trio or Group (Vocal or Instrumental):
Jackson – Johnny Cash and June Carter
Best Gospel Performance:
More Grand Old Gospel, Porter Wagoner and the Blackwood Brothers
Best Sacred Performance:
How Great Thou Art, Elvis Presley
Best Folk Performance:
Gentle on My Mind – John Hartford
Best Instrumental Arrangement:
Alfie, Burt Bacharach, arranger
Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) or Instrumentalist(s):
Ode to Billie Joe – Jimmie Haskell, arranger
Best Instrumental Theme:
Mission: Impossible – Lalo Schifrin, composer
Best Instrumental Performance:
Chet Atkins Picks the Best – Chet Atkins
Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album:
Cabaret, Fred Ebb and John Kander, composers (Columbia)
Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Show:
Mission: Impossible – Lalo Schifrin, composer
Album of the Year, Classical (tie):
Berg, Wozzeck, Pierre Boulez conducting Paris National Opera; solos: Berry, Strauss, Uhl and Doench (Columbia)
Mahler, Symphony No. 8 in E-Flat Major (Symphony of a Thousand ), Leonard Bernstein conducting London Symphony Orchestra (Columbia)
Best Classical Performance, Orchestra:
Stravinsky, Firebird and Petrouchka Suites, Igor Stravinsky conducting Columbia Symphony
Best Chamber Music Performance:
West Meets East, Ravi Shankar and Yehudi Menuhin
Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist(s) (With or Without Orchestra):
Horowitz in Concert, Vladimir Horowitz
Best Opera Recording:
Berg, Wozzeck, Pierre Boulez conducting Paris National Opera; solos: Berry, Strauss, Uhl and Doench (Columbia)
Best Classical Choral Performance (tie):
Mahler, Symphony No. 8 in E-Flat Major (Symphony of a Thousand ), Leonard Bernstein conducting London Symphony Orchestra
Orff, Catulli Carmina, Robert Page conducting Temple University Chorus; Eugene Ormandy conducting Philadelphia Orchestra
Best Classical Vocal Soloist Performance:
Prima Donna, Vol. 2, Leontyne Price; Francesco Molinari-Pradelli conducting RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra
Best Comedy Recording:
Revenge, Bill Cosby (Warner Bros.-Seven Arts)
Best Spoken Word, Documentary or Drama Recording:
Gallant Men, Sen. Everett M. Dirksen (Capitol)
Best Recording for Children:
Dr Seuss: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Boris Karloff (MGM)
Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts:
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Peter Blake and Jann Haworth, art directors (Capitol)
Best Album Cover, Photography:
Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits; Roland Scherman, photographer; John Berg and Bob Cato, art directors (Columbia)
Best Album Notes:
Suburban Attitudes in Country Verse, John O. Loudermilk, annotator (RCA)
December 31, 1966 – February 17, 1967:
The Monkees – I’m a Believer
February 18, 1967 – March 3, 1967:
The Buckinghams – Kind of a Drag
March 4, 1967 – March 10, 1967:
The Rolling Stones – Ruby Tuesday
March 11, 1967 – March 17, 1967:
The Supremes – Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone
March 18, 1967 – March 24, 1967:
The Beatles – Penny Lane
March 25, 1967 – April 14, 1967:
The Turtles – Happy Together
April 15, 1967 – May 12, 1967:
Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra – Somethin’ Stupid
May 13, 1967 – May 19, 1967:
The Supremes – The Happening
May 20, 1967 – June 2, 1967:
Young Rascals – Groovin’
June 3, 1967 – J, 1967:
Aretha Franklin – Respect
July 1, 1967 – July 28, 1967:
The Association – Windy
July 29, 1967 – August 18, 1967:
The Doors – Light My Fire
August 19, 1967 – August 25, 1967:
The Beatles – All You Need Is Love
August 26, 1967 – September 22, 1967:
Bobbie Gentry – Ode to Billie Joe
September 23, 1967 – October 20, 1967:
Box Tops – The Letter
October 21, 1967 – November 24, 1967:
Lulu – To Sir With Love
November 25, 1967 – December 1, 1967:
Strawberry Alarm Clock – Incense and Peppermints
December 2, 1967 – December 29, 1967:
The Monkees – Daydream Believer
December 30, 1967 – January 19, 1968:
The Beatles – Hello, Goodbye
(Data is compiled from various charts including Billboard’s “Pop,” “Airplay,” “R&B” and “Singles” Charts. “Hot 100” is the primary chart used starting October, 1958)
Winners Announced: March 2, 1967 Televised “Best On Record”: May 24, 1967 Held at: Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville and New York Eligibility Year: November 2, 1965 – November 1, 1966
Grammy Highlights and Achievements
Michelle Takes the Spotlight: The Beatles snagged the Song of the Year award with their hit “Michelle,” further cementing their legendary status.
Frank Sinatra’s Glory: Ol’ Blue Eyes won Album of the Year for Sinatra: A Man and His Music, making it one of his most significant Grammy achievements.
Debut of Best Contemporary (R&R) Performance: The inaugural award in this category went to the New Vaudeville Band for their catchy tune “Winchester Cathedral.”
Duke Ellington’s Special Recognition: The legendary jazz musician was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, a deserving nod to his extensive contribution to music.
Trivia
A Night of Multiple Genres: This year saw a wide range of musical genres, from rock to jazz, reflecting the evolving musical landscape.
Youngest Winner: At just 14, Jeannie C. Riley became the youngest winner, taking home the Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “Harper Valley PTA.”
There was no “Best New Artist” award – sorry, Neil Diamond, Monkees, Tommy James, Sergio Mendes, Mamas and the Papas, B.J. Thomas, Percy Sledge, and others!
Record of the Year:
Strangers in the Night – Frank Sinatra
Album of the Year:
Sinatra: A Man and His Music, Frank Sinatra (Reprise)
Song of the Year:
Michelle – John Lennon and Paul McCartney, songwriters
Best Vocal Performance, Male:
Strangers in the Night – Frank Sinatra
Best Vocal Performance, Female:
If He Walked Into My Life – Eydie Gormé
Best Performance By a Vocal Group:
A Man and a Woman – Anita Kerr Singers
Best Performance By a Chorus:
Somewhere, My Love (Lara’s Theme From Dr. Zhivago), Ray Conniff and Singers
Best Contemporary (Rock and Roll) Recording:
Winchester Cathedral – New Vaudeville Band (Fontana)
Best Contemporary (Rock and Roll) Solo Vocal Performance, Male or Female:
Eleanor Rigby – Paul McCartney
Best Contemporary (Rock and Roll) Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental:
Monday, Monday – Mamas and the Papas
Best Rhythm and Blues Recording:
Crying Time – Ray Charles (ABC/Paramount)
Best Rhythm and Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Male or Female:
Crying Time – Ray Charles
Best Rhythm and Blues Group, Vocal or Instrumental:
Hold It Right There – Ramsey Lewis
Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, Group or Soloist With Group:
Goin’ Out of My Head – Wes Montgomery
Best Original Jazz Composition:
In the Beginning God – Duke Ellington, composer
Best Country and Western Song:
Almost Persuaded – Billy Sherrill and Glenn Sutton, songwriters
Best Country and Western Recording:
Almost Persuaded – David Houston (Epic)
Best Country and Western Vocal Performance, Male:
Almost Persuaded – David Houston
Best Country and Western Vocal Performance, Female:
Don’t Touch Me – Jeannie Seely
Best Sacred Recording (Musical):
Grand Old Gospel, Porter Wagoner and the Blackwood Brothers (RCA)
Best Folk Recording:
Blues in the Street, Cortelia Clark (RCA)
Best Instrumental Arrangement:
What Now My Love – Herb Alpert, arranger
Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocalist or Instrumentalist:
Strangers in the Night – Ernie Freeman, arranger
Best Instrumental Theme:
Batman Theme – Neal Hefti, composer
Best Instrumental Performance (Other Than Jazz):
What Now My Love – Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass
Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album:
Mame, Jerry Herman, composer (Columbia)
Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Show:
Dr. Zhivago, Maurice Jarre, composer
Album of the Year, Classical:
Ives, Symphony No. 1 in D Minor, Morton Gould conducting Chicago Symphony (RCA)
Best Classical Performance, Orchestra:
Mahler, Symphony No. 6 in A Minor, Erich Leinsdorf conducting Boston Symphony
Best Chamber Music Performance, Instrumental or Vocal:
Boston Symphony Chamber Players, Boston Symphony Chamber Players
Best Classical Music Performance, Instrumental Soloist(s) (With or Without Orchestra):
Baroque Guitar, Julian Bream
Best Opera Recording:
Wagner, Die Walkure, Georg Solti conducting Vienna Philharmonic; solos: Nilsson, Crespin, Ludwig, King and Hotter (London)
Best Classical Choral Performance (Other Than Opera) (tie):
Handel, Messiah, Robert Shaw conducting Robert Shaw Chorale and Orchestra
Ives, Music for Chorus, Gregg Smith conducting Columbia Chamber Orchestra, Gregg Smith Singers and Ithaca College Concert Choir; George Bragg conducting Texas Boys Choir
Best Classical Vocal Soloist Performance (With or Without Orchestra):
Prima Donna, Leontyne Price; Francesco Molinari-Pradelli conducting RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra
Best Comedy Performance:
Wonderfulness, Bill Cosby
Best Spoken Word, Documentary or Drama Recording:
Edward R. Murrow: A Reporter Remembers?Vol. I The War Years, Edward R. Murrow (Columbia)
Best Recording for Children:
Dr. Seuss Presents: If I Ran the Zoo and Sleep Book – Marvin Miller (RCA)
Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts:
Revolver, Klaus Voormann, graphic artist (Capitol)
Best Album Cover, Photography:
Confessions of a Broken Man, Les Leverette, photographer; Robert Jones, art director (RCA)
Best Album Notes:
Sinatra at the Sands, Stan Cornyn, annotator (Reprise)
Pre-Disco & Rock Party Dance Hits
