The Top 27 Grammy Moments of All Time

1973: Helen Reddy Refers to God as a Lady

Although few would bat a watch at this declaration right now, when Australian-American singer Helen Reddy referred to God within the feminine sense on the fifteenth annual Grammy Awards in 1973, individuals had fairly a bit to say. In concluding her acceptance speech for greatest feminine pop vocal efficiency for her music “I Am a Lady,” Reddy mentioned, “I wish to thank God, as a result of She makes the whole lot attainable.”

1978: Barbra Streisand and Debby Boone Tie for Music of the Yr

Although uncommon — however, maybe, not as uncommon as you may assume — Grammy ties can occur. The primary time it occurred was in 1978 when Barbra Streisand’s “Love Theme from A Star Is Born” and Debby Boone’s “You Mild Up My Life” have been each named music of the yr on the twentieth annual Grammy Awards. As a co-writer of “Love Theme” with Paul Williams, Streisand added the songwriting award to her checklist of accolades whereas the award for “You Mild Up My Life” went to author Joe Brooks.

1984: Annie Lennox Performs as a Man

Think about being a stage supervisor frantically searching for the expertise that’s presupposed to go on stage subsequent and also you assume they’re nowhere to be discovered, but you’re wanting proper at them. That’s what occurred on the 1984 Grammys when Annie Lennox confirmed up dressed as a person and didn’t let anybody in on the ruse, together with the present’s producers, who didn’t know what was taking place till she walked out to carry out “Candy Desires” with Dave Stewart. In a 2009 interview with CTV Information, Lennox mentioned of her choice that evening, “There had been a lot discuss my gender. Is she a person, is she a lady? And I mentioned to Dave, ‘Let’s simply do it like this, it’ll be such amusing. I’ll take an previous rumor and I’ll use it to indicate that the whole lot is simply efficiency.’”

1984: Michael Jackson’s Report-Breaking Night time

On the twenty sixth annual Grammy Awards, Michael Jackson set the file for essentially the most Grammy wins in a single evening, taking residence eight awards, together with album of the yr and file of the yr. Sixteen years later, Santana grew to become the one artist to tie Jackson’s file on the forty second annual Grammy Awards in 2000.

1985: Prince Reveals He’s a Star

If the music title “Child I’m a Star” didn’t convey the message, Prince and the Revolution’s reside efficiency of the observe on the twenty seventh annual Grammy Awards in 1985 actually did. The six-minute set marked the singer’s first time on the Grammy stage, and the power was palpable as Prince requested the gang “Would you like some extra?” earlier than hitting a dance break full with eight back-to-back splits. On the finish of the music, Prince walked off the stage by means of the gang making as grand of an exit as he did an entrance.

1990: Milli Vanilli Wins Greatest New Artist

In 1990, Milli Vanilli grew to become the primary — and up to now the one — Grammy-winning artist to be stripped of their award. The pop due received greatest new artist for his or her album Woman You Know It’s True on the thirty second annual Grammy Awards. Nevertheless, eight months later, the award was revoked by the Nationwide Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences when producer Frank Farian admitted the pair didn’t truly sing on their album.

1988: Michael Jackson’s Victorious Efficiency

When Michael Jackson’s album Unhealthy didn’t win in any of the classes it was nominated in on the thirtieth annual Grammy Awards, it was thought of one of many greatest snubs of the evening. But Jackson remained victorious, delivering what’s thought of considered one of his greatest award present performances when took to the stage with a medley of “The Means You Make Me Really feel” and “Man within the Mirror.” The L.A. Occasions referred to as it “A stunning and finally triumphant second in Grammy historical past, one which overshadowed the whole lot else on this system.”

1998: Aretha Franklin’s Impromptu Efficiency of “Nessun Dorma”

Aretha Franklin confirmed she’s greater than the “Queen of Soul” on the fortieth annual Grammy Awards when she sang an impromptu rendition of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma.” The music was initially presupposed to be carried out by opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, who was set to open the ceremony in 1998. Nevertheless, when he fell ailing on the final minute, his good buddy Franklin stepped in on the request of producer Ken Ehrlich, and acquired resounding applause from the viewers.

1998: Bob Dylan’s Set Is Crashed

The fortieth annual Grammy Awards delivered yet one more memorable second when three minutes into Bob Dylan’s efficiency of “Love Sick,” a shirtless man appeared subsequent to him with the phrases “Soy Bomb” written on his chest. It seems the crasher was an actor named Michael Portnoy who’d been employed to easily stand on stage and act like he was having enjoyable in the course of the set. Portnoy, nonetheless, a vegetarian on the time and, removed from a Dylan fan, determined to go off script. “I knew I needed to do some form of intervention. That’s what I used to be into then, one thing utterly surprising,” he later mentioned in an interview. The stunt received Portnoy escorted off stage and left within the shivering chilly outdoors of Radio Metropolis Music Corridor the place the ceremony was held.

1998: ODB Crashes the Stage

When Wu-Tang clan member ODB took the stage to obtain Shawn Colvin’s award for music of the yr on the fortieth annual Grammy Awards, his beef wasn’t essentially with the “Sunny Got here Residence” singer, however the Recording Academy, whom he felt snubbed the rap group twice that evening after additionally dropping to Diddy for rap album of the yr.

“Please relax, the music and the whole lot,” ODB mentioned as he took to the mic. “It’s good that I went and purchased me an outfit right now that costed some huge cash right now, you understand what I imply? ‘Trigger I figured that Wu-Tang was gonna win. I don’t understand how you all see it, however with regards to the kids, Wu-Tang is for the kids. We train the kids, you understand what I imply? Puffy is sweet, however Wu-Tang is the most effective, OK? I would like you all to know that that is ODB, and I like you all. Peace!”

2000: Britney Spears’ Memorable Medley

Britney Spears has solely hit the Grammy stage one time, but it surely was a efficiency to recollect. In 2000, the pop singer carried out a medley of two of her greatest hits, “Backside of My Damaged Coronary heart” and “Child One Extra Time,” full with a wardrobe change, dance breaks and robotic costumes that followers nonetheless discuss right now.

2000: J. Lo’s Iconic Versace Costume

On Feb. 23, 2000, Jennifer Lopez wore the costume that solidified her future as a family identify. Strolling the pink carpet on the forty second annual Grammy Awards, J. Lo wore a inexperienced silk chiffon Versace costume with a neck reduce to her navel that may develop into one of the talked-about designs of the posh trend model. A reproduction of the costume is at present displayed within the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.

2001: Elton John and Eminem Carry out Collectively

Information of Eminem’s look on the forty third annual Grammy Awards sparked protests from audiences and organizations like GLAAD, which had deemed the rapper’s third album, The Marshall Mathers LP, to be homophobic and riddled with hate speech. That made Elton John’s choice to carry out the only “Stan” with Eminem on the 2001 ceremony all of the extra stunning.

On receiving the invitation from the Detroit native to carry out with him, John informed the L.A. Occasions, “I’m an enormous fan of his music, and I mentioned I might be delighted to. I do know I’m going to get a variety of flak from varied people who find themselves going to picket the present, [but] I’d somewhat tear down partitions between individuals than construct them up.”

2001: Toni Braxton’s Little White Costume

Toni Braxton upped the attractive precedent set by J. Lo in 2000 with a white Richard Tyler Robe that left little to the creativeness on the 2001 Grammy Awards. The singer informed Folks of her costume of selection, “I’ve all the time gone a little bit risqué with all my different awards. I made a decision that earlier than I received married and had infants, I’d put on this.”

2002: All of the Girls of “Girl Marmalade” Hit the Stage Collectively

When Pink, Mya, Lil’ Kim and Christina Aguilera teamed up for a remake of “Girl Marmalade,” produced by Missy Elliott for the soundtrack of Moulin Rouge in 2001, it was an prompt hit. The music was first made fashionable by LaBelle in 1974, and on the 2002 Grammys, the funk group’s entrance girl, Patti LaBelle, joined the women on stage to carry out the music for what’s been thought of one of many best feminine collaborations of the 2000s.

2005: Melissa Etheridge Performs After Breast Most cancers Remedy

In 2005, Melissa Etheridge joined Joss Stone in a tribute to Janis Joplin on the forty seventh annual Grammy Awards. The rock singer, who was identified with breast most cancers in October 2004, was ending up chemotherapy remedy and appeared bald on stage as she carried out. Of her choice, she later informed Leisure Weekly in a 2014 interview, “I felt it was a possibility for me to step again into what I liked to do. I imply, 10 years in the past if you have been identified, individuals thought, ‘That’s it, she’s out of right here,’ you understand? So I needed to indicate those who no, I’ve been by means of hell, yeah, that is terrible, however I’m not dying. I needed to current myself as, ‘I’m again, I’m not weak, this has made me stronger.’ I simply didn’t need anybody to make enjoyable of me.”

2008: Tina Turner and Beyoncé Carry out “Proud Mary”

Beyoncé is normally the one making newer artists dream collaboration come true, however in 2008 she received the possibility to take the stage along with her personal idol, Tina Turner. The singers carried out a usually energetic rendition of “Proud Mary” in complementary silver metallic outfits on the fiftieth annual Grammy Awards to raving applause from the viewers.

2009: M.I.A. Performs Whereas Having Contractions

M.I.A wasn’t going to let something cease her from performing on the 51st annual Grammy Awards, not even labor. The then-pregnant British rapper not solely carried out on her due date, however she started having contractions simply because the present started that night. Deciding the present should go on, M.I.A. didn’t miss a beat performing “Swagga Like Us” alongside Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and T.I., and he or she gave start to a wholesome child boy three days later.

2010: Pink Soars By way of the Air

For her first solo Grammy efficiency, in 2010, Pink determined to fly excessive. The singer carried out her music “Glitter within the Air” from above the gang, spinning in aerial silks as she belted out the lyrics. She mentioned of her trapeze act in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, “It seems like after 10 years individuals nonetheless don’t know what I do. [The song is] very religious and it’s very sensual and it’s very refined and visually stunning, so I simply needed to actually present up.”

2011: Girl Gaga’s Egg Entrance

Girl Gaga made the grandest of entrances on the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in 2011 when she was carried down the pink carpet within an egg. Previous to the efficiency of “Born This Means,” the singer spent 72 hours within the prop she later clarified was a “vessel.” 

“It was time for me to actually put together and take into consideration the that means of the music and get ready for the efficiency,” she mentioned on Ryan Seacrest’s KIIS-FM radio present. “I actually needed to be born on stage.”

2012: Jennifer Hudson’s Whitney Houston Tribute

The 54th annual Grammy Awards occurred the day after Whitney Houston was discovered useless in her resort room on the Beverly Hilton Lodge on Feb. 11, 2012. Through the ceremony, Jennifer Hudson delivered an emotional tribute to the singer, performing her traditional hit “I Will At all times Love You,” accompanied solely by piano.

2012: Nicki Minaj’s Exorcism

On the pink carpet of the 54th annual Grammy Awards, Nicki Minaj gave a preview of what was to come back throughout her efficiency later that evening when she wore a pink robe just like a cardinal’s gown whereas accompanied by a person dressed because the Pope. Admittedly impressed by the ‘70s horror movie The Exorcist, Minaj’s reside rendition of “Roman’s Revenge” and “Roman Vacation” featured an exorcism that led to her levitating above the gang, all whereas hooded monks danced throughout the stage. The Catholic Church was none too pleased with the rapper’s visible illustration, but when requested in regards to the response to her set on a pink carpet days after the present, Minaj replied, “I don’t know, what’s the huge difficulty?”

2014: Queen Latifah Officiates 33 Weddings

Making a Grammy first is tough for an award present that’s been in place since 1959, however Queen Latifah did simply that when she officiated the marriage of 33 {couples} in the course of the 56th annual ceremony in 2014. The pairs representing various races, ages and sexual orientations mentioned “I do” as Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, sang their hit music “Similar Love” with the assistance of Madonna and Mary Lambert.

2016: Taylor Swift’s Album of the Yr Acceptance Speech

Taylor Swift took residence the coveted award for album of the yr on the 58th annual Grammy Awards in 2016. She additionally took the win as a possibility to reclaim her narrative within the wake of Kanye West’s music “Well-known,” out on the time, during which the rapper claimed he was answerable for the singer’s fame following their notorious conflict on the 2009 MTV VMA Awards.

“I need to say to all of the younger ladies on the market: There are going to be individuals alongside the best way who will attempt to undercut your success, or take credit score on your accomplishments or your fame,” Swift informed the viewers. “However in case you simply give attention to the work and also you don’t let these individuals sidetrack you … you’ll go searching and you’ll know that it was you and the individuals who love you who put you there, and that would be the best feeling on the earth.”

2017: Adele Says Beyoncé Deserved to Win Album of the Yr

Although in taking to the stage to simply accept the award for album of the yr on the 59th annual Grammy Awards, Adele mentioned, “Profitable this sort of seems like coming full circle,” the vocalist in a short time turned the eye to a singer within the viewers whom she deemed extra deserving.

“I can’t probably settle for this award,” Adele mentioned by means of tears. “I’m very humbled and really grateful and gracious, however my life is Beyoncé. The Lemonade album, Beyoncé, was so monumental, and so properly thought out, and so stunning and soul-bearing. And all of us received to see one other facet of you that you simply don’t all the time allow us to see, and we respect that,” she continued. “And all us artists adore you. You’re our gentle. And the best way that you simply make me and my associates really feel, the best way you make my Black associates really feel, is empowering, and also you make them rise up for themselves. And I like you. I all the time have. And I all the time will.”

2019: Michelle Obama’s Shock Look

In 2019, Former First Girl Michelle Obama pulled off one of many greatest shock appearances in Grammy historical past when she stood on stage alongside Girl Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jennifer Lopez and host Alicia Keys to speak in regards to the energy of music.

“That was Alicia’s brainchild,” Lopez informed Leisure Tonight backstage. “She needed to indicate unity, and he or she needed to provide good power and nice vibes to the evening, and it was an effective way to do it.”

2021: Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion Carry out “WAP”

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s efficiency of their very own feminine empowerment anthem on the 63rd annual Grammy Awards in 2021 wasn’t acquired fairly as properly by audiences. The rappers’ reside rendition of “WAP” was deemed too raunchy by some, resulting in the FCC reportedly receiving greater than 1,000 complaints from viewers, although a consultant informed The Wrap the entire quantity was“a mean quantity for one of these occasion.”