Posted in: Musicouching by BEAUTIFUL NIAGARA on February 7th, 2008 | 0 Comments
The Grammy celebrates its 50th year on February 10th. Here’s a look at the past 50 years of Grammy history.
The year was 1957 …
The Soviet Union launched the worlds first satellite, “Sputnik I”. President Eisenhower presented the “Eisenhower Doctrine” which pledged U.S. defense against communism in the Middle East; The medical community was buzzing about the discovery of interferon; “The Bridge on The River Kwai” was playing at theatres everywhere; The “Hit Parade” featured “Wake Up Little Suzie” by the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly with “That’ll Be The Day”, and Elvis’ hit, “Jailhouse Rock”.
Despite warnings of its adverse (“devil music”), effect on society, Rock “N Roll was sweeping the nation and taking over the airwaves. The music industry, was paying serious attention to the little studio in Memphis, “Sun Records”, and was concerned about maintaining the quality and culture of its” society.
At the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood California a group of music industry executives met to discuss the creation of a “Record Award Society”. It was May 28th, 1957. This new organization would be dedicated to the improving the quality of life and cultural condition for music and its makers. It would present awards to members for outstanding achievements in the recording industry. Recording Artists, Writers, Producers, Engineers, etc. would be the voting members of the society and would elect their peers to receive the awards. The award would be called the “Gramophone”.
June 6th, 1957: a press conference was held to announce the formation of the “National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences”, and the birth of the “Grammy”.
The first “Chapter” of this new organization was opened in Los Angeles with some high profile founding members; Benny Carter, Rosemary Clooney, Nat “King” Cole, Doris Day, Stan Kenton, Henri Mancini, and Nelson Riddle.
A second “Chapter” was chartered in New York City under the Presidency of Guy Lombardo.
The first Grammy Awards were presented on May 4th, 1959. Both “Chapters” of “National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences” simultaneously held an Awards Dinner; the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills California and the Park Sheraton Hotel in New York City.
There were 28 categories in which to compete. The winners of the inaugural Grammys included; Domenico Modgugno – “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu”, (better known as “Volare”) for Record of the year; Henri Mancini – “The Music from Peter Gunn” for Album of the year; Ella Fitzgerald – “Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook” for Best Vocal Performance – Female, and Best Jazz Performance Individual; Perry Como – “Catch a Falling Star” for Best Vocal Performance – Male; Count Basie – “Basie” for Best Jazz Performance Group; Kingston Trio – “Tom Dooley” for Best Country and Western Performance. Although old “Blue Eyes” was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Vocal Performance, he didn’t win. He did however take home Best Album Cover Design.
