GRAMMY WTF?  1967 Best Rock & Roll Recording. More: tomorrow.

The Grammy Awards are one of music’s most prestigious trophies. Since the inaugural ceremony in 1959, winners have spanned a vast array of musical styles and winners as diverse as Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Eminem and Lizzo. There have, however, been some instances where one can’t comprehend the outcomes and omissions. Caffè Lattè looks back on some of the most baffling moments and unsuccessful -yet influential- acts…

GRAMMY WTF?

BEST ROCK & ROLL RECORDING 1967

WINNER:

NOMINATED BETTER CHOICE:

By 1967, rock ‘n’ roll had been around long enough to be entrenched into popular culture. Groups such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and several other British acts were competing with American acts such as Roy Orbison, The Beach Boys and The Mamas & The Papas. The Academy had no excuse by now to not select the best examples of rock music to highlight.

This reality makes the Rock And Roll category especially bewildering. In 1967, the winning song in that category could not be identified even remotely as rock and roll. That year, the prize went to “Winchester Cathedral” by The New Vaudeville Band. One would think that the act’s name made the decision more puzzling. Of the 6 nominated titles, “Winchester Cathedral” is, today, the most obscure.

When compared to at least 4 of the other nominees, it is more obvious that the wrong call was made. The Beatles received a nomination for “Eleanor Rigby”, a song that has a powerful message in its lyrics. The Monkees’ ”Last Train To Clarksville” was in the running, as was “Monday, Monday” by The Mamas & The Papas.

How the Academy could overlook the sublime “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys is inexplicable. At the time, it was the most expensive single ever made. The mammoth effort put in by the visionary Brian Wilson to create a sonic feast was unprecedented. Although nominated in this category, the track was criminally overlooked when it lost. In fact, The Beach Boys have never received a Grammy.

NEVER WON A GRAMMY AWARD*:

*(excludes life achievement categories)

 

THE SUPREMES

 In the 1960s, the charts were dominated by UK acts. This British Invasion was ushered in by The Beatles, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Herman’s Hermits and The Rolling Stones. American acts struggled during this period. One notable exception was The Supremes.

Consisting of Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard (later replaced by Cindy Birdsong) and the incomparable Diana Ross, the trio was the most consistent act on Motown’s roster. During the Sixties, only The Beatles accrued more number one singles than The Supremes. The girl group’s dozen chart-toppers included “Where Did Our Love Go”, “Baby Love”, “Stop! In The Name Of Love”, “You Can’t Hurry Love” and “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”.

Grammy voters only nominated the trio twice and The Supremes were left empty-handed on both occasions. Again, the Academy failed to reflect what was really going on in the music industry. Motown Records was also the home of some of that decade’s best pop music, boasting acts that included: Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Martha & The Vandellas, Mary Wells, The Miracles, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Isley Brothers and The Marvelettes.