The first five inductees into the Grammy Hall of Fame were announced on the Grammy telecast in March 1974, but it took the Recording Academy 50 years to create a stand-alone event to honor the year's inductees. Better late than never.
The inaugural Grammy Hall of Fame Gala was held at the Novo Theater at LA Live in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 21.
To produce the event, the Academy and the Grammy Museum, which co-presented the event, turned to Ken Ehrlich, who hosted the Grammy telecast for 40 years. To host, they enlisted CBS reporter Anthony Mason.
Six of the inductees were honored with performances. Four handled video tributes.
Some of the artists whose recordings were awarded were in attendance, including William Bell, who performed his own song, “You Don't Miss the Water.” Lauryn Hill, who was on hand to watch Andra Day perform a song from her album Lauryn Hill's Bad Education; and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter of the Doobie Brothers, whose “What a Fool Believes” was honored.
On other occasions, record producers were on hand, including Mike Clink (Guns N' Roses' Appetite for destruction) and Prince Paul (De La Soul's 3 feet tall and rising). In other cases, family members were in the audience.
In some cases, the program explained exactly why the recordings were selected. Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love' was obviously hugely influential in paving the way for mainstream acceptance of EDM. “Ory's Creole Trombone” by Kid Ory's Creole Orchestra from 1922, we're told, was the first recording of New Orleans Black Creole jazz.
But in other cases, we were left wondering. They should always explain in one sentence exactly why the record was important and/or influential and why it was chosen from the 200 or so other records vying for one of the 10 spots.
In addition to the 10 recordings entered, there was a tribute to Atlantic Records for its 75th anniversary, we're told. (The label was founded in November 1947, so the 75th anniversary has passed.) Three classic Atlantic recordings were made at the show. A video presentation included many of the label's biggest artists, although Genesis and Yes seemed to be missing. Atlantic President/CEO Julie Greenwald and President/CEO Craig Kallman accepted the honor.
Here are the highlights from the inaugural Grammy Hall of Fame Induction Gala.
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Andra Day honors Donna Summer and Lauryn Hill
Andra Day got to show off her range, singing Donna Summer's icy, robotic smash 'I Feel Love' and Lauryn Hill's soulful spin on Frankie Valli's classic 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You'.
“Can't Take My Eyes Off You” was an odd choice to represent Lauryn Hill's Bad Education. It is the only song on the album that Hill did not write or co-write. And hearing it begs the question why isn't Valli's original version in the Grammy Hall of Fame? This 1967 classic certainly held up. Justice for Frankie!
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The War and Treaty Honors Charley Pride and Ray Charles
It had been announced that The War and Treaty would be singing Charley Pride's 'Kiss an Angel Good Mornin', a charming song that conveys simple truths. The husband and wife team also did a great job on this one. And having a contemporary black act breaking into country music honor someone who so clearly paved the way for them was very fitting.
The duo – Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter – closed the show with an impromptu rendition of Ray Charles' funky R&B classic “What'd I Say,” part of the Atlantic Records salute. The Trotters were well served by having the opportunity to perform two such wildly different songs.
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Hanson scores “What a Fool Believes” by The Doobie Brothers
The three members of Hanson weren't even born when “What a Fool Believes” topped the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1979 or when it won Grammys for record and song of the year in February 1980. But they nailed it. Their performance was a reminder that just because an act's fortunes may have declined, it doesn't mean their talent has.
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Elle King is unfair to Wanda Jackson
Elle King did an impressive job on Wanda Jackson's 1960 rockabilly hit “Let's Have a Party.” It was as if King knew she had to redeem herself in the eyes of this industry crowd after her sloppy and drunk appearance at a Dolly Parton tribute in January at the Grand Ole Opry. She did this and brought the spotlight back to her talent.
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Shinedown scores on Led Zeppelin's “Stairway to Heaven.”
Shinedown did an impressive job on Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven', the most played power ballad of the 1970s and maybe ever. It's not easy to take on a song so identified with a legendary act. And while Shinedown didn't try to bring anything new to it, they did a good job of replicating it.
“Stairway to Heaven” was part of Atlantic's anniversary salute, as was Roberta Flack's “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” Ravyn Lenae did a valiant job singing Flack's smash, but that's too much to ask for a newcomer. (Lenae, 25, has released one studio album and three EPs.) Flack's recording is one of the best pop/soul singles of all time. The track is 51 years old and still sounds fresh and vital.
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William Bell sings William Bell
William Bell sang his own recording, “You Don't Miss Your Water,” a haunting song about regrets. Bell, who is probably best known for “Tryin' to Love Two,” a top 10 hit on the Hot 100 in 1977, is 84. He was 22 when “You Don't Miss Your Water” became a hit on the chart in 1962.
“You Don't Miss Your Water” is a good record, but this one could use some explaining. Why this record, of all records. It peaked at No. 95 in its one week on the Hot 100, which of course shouldn't disqualify it, but it does make you wonder why the selection committee felt it was so important to include.
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The complete list of 2024 admissions
3 feet tall and rising
De La Soul
Tommy Boy (1989)Appetite for destruction
Guns N' Roses
Geffen (1987)Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club
World Circuit/Nonesuch (1997)“I Feel the Love”
Donna Summer
Casablanca (1977)“Kiss an Angel Good Morning”
Charlie Pride
RCA Victor (1971)“Let's have a party”
Wanda Jackson
Capitol (1960)Lauryn Hill's Bad Education
Lauryn Hill
Ruffhouse/Columbia (1998)“Ory's Creole Trombone”
Kid Ory's Creole Orchestra (As Spike's Seven Pods of Pepper Orchestra)
Nordskog (1922)“What a Fool Thinks”
The Doobie Brothers
Warner Bros. (1978)“You don't miss your water”
William Bell
Stax (1961)
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/lists/grammy-hall-of-fame-gala-highlights-andra-day-the-war-and-treaty-hanson/