The Recording Academy has inducted 26 more iconic recordings into its Grammy Hall of Fame including Elton John, Patsy Cline and Public Enemy.
This year’s additions span a diverse range of both single and album recordings that are at least 25 years old that “exhibit qualitative or historical significance”.
The list includes both recordings that were initially recognised at the Grammy Awards as well as recordings that either pre-date the inaugural 1958 Grammy Awards or were initially passed over upon release.
These include everything from Elton John’s definite 1971 hit ‘Tiny Dancer’, to Public Enemy’s historic 1988 album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back that never received a Grammy nomination but is considered one of the most essential albums in hip-hop history.
Other recordings that surprisingly never landed a Grammy nod are Neil Diamond’s 1969 singalong smash ‘Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)’, Patsy Cline’s ‘Walkin’ After Midnight’, and The Allman Brothers Band’ 1972 album Eat A Peach, among others.
Along with more recent hits, like The Police’s Grammy-winning 1983 smash ‘Every Breath You Take’ and ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)’ by The Eurhythmics, this year’s roster includes plenty of pre-1958 recordings like Capitol Presents The King Cole Trio (1944), ‘I’m A Man’ by Bo Diddley (1955) and ‘Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite’ by Machito (1950).
“Each year it is our distinct privilege to preserve a piece of cultural and music history with our Grammy Hall Of Fame inductions,” said Deborah Dugan, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. “We are so honoured to welcome these timeless masterpieces to our growing catalogue of iconic recordings that serve as a beacon of music excellence and diverse expression that will forever impact and inspire generations of creators.”
With 26 new titles, the Hall, now in its 47th year, currently totals 1,114 recordings. Recordings are reviewed each year by a special member committee comprised of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts, with final approval by the Recording Academy’s National Board of Trustees.
The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, which will be broadcast live on Sunday, 26 Jan. 2020, at 8 pm. ET/5 pm PT on the CBS.
View the full list of 2020 Grammy Hall Of Fame Inductees
‘Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite’
Machito
Mercury (1950)
Track
Capitol Presents The King Cole Trio
The King Cole Trio
Capitol (1944)
Album
‘Carolina Shout’
James P Johnson
OKeh (1921)
Single
Clouds
Joni Mitchell
Reprise (1969)
Album
‘Devil Got My Woman’
Skip James
Paramount (1931)
Single
Eat A Peach
The Allman Brothers Band
Capricorn (1972)
Album
‘Every Breath You Take’
The Police
A&M (1983)
Single
Frampton Comes Alive!
Peter Frampton
A&M (1976)
Album
‘How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live’
Blind Alfred Reed
Victor (1930)
Single
‘I’ll Fly Away’
The Chuck Wagon Gang
Columbia (1949)
Single
‘I’m A Man’
Bo Diddley
Checker (1955)
Single
‘I’m A Man Of Constant Sorrow’
The Stanley Brothers & The Clinch Mountain Boys
Columbia (1951)
Single
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Public Enemy
Def Jam (1988)
Album
‘Miserlou’
Dick Dale And The Del-Tones
Deltone (1962)
Single
‘Oh Mary Don’t You Weep’
Swan Silvertones
Vee-Jay (1959)
Single
‘Pancho And Lefty’
Willie Nelson And Merle Haggard
Epic (1982)
Single
Piano Rags By Scott Joplin
Joshua Rifkin
Nonesuch (1970)
Album
Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
Devo
Warner Bros. (1978)
Album
‘Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)’
Neil Diamond
Uni (1969)
Single
‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)’
Eurythmics
RCA (1983)
Single
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
Columbia (1968)
Album
‘These Boots Are Made For Walkin’’
Nancy Sinatra
Reprise (1965)
Single
‘Tiny Dancer’
Elton John
Uni (1972)
Single
‘Walkin’ After Midnight’
Patsy Cline
Decca (1957)
Single
‘Wipe Out’
The Surfaris
Dot (1963)
Single
Zodiac Suite
Mary Lou Williams
Asch (1945)
Album
(c) Udiscovermusic by Laura Stavropoulos
