GRAMMY WTF?  1978 - Best New Talent. More: Sunday.

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 NEW TALENT 1978

WINNER:

NOMINATED BETTER CHOICE:

 

In 1978, the Academy selected Debby Boone as the Best New Talent. She had been responsible for one of the biggest hit singles of the 1970s with her remake of “You Light Up My Life”. The ballad was written as a love song, but Boone approached it as a religious composition. Her version of the title song from the 1977 film of the same name enjoyed a 10-week reign at #1 in the United States. “You Light Up My Life” also won in the Song Of The Year category (in a tie with Barbra Streisand’s “Evergreen”). The singer’s booty hopefully made up for her father Pat Boone’s lack of success at the Grammys.

Given “You Light Up My Life” was such a major smash, one can understand how the Academy might have thought this augured well for the rising star. Boone would win more awards in Gospel and Inspirational categories in the future, but she would never return to the Top 40.

On the other hand, 2 other possible victors enjoyed sustained success. Also nominated for Best New talent that same year were Andy Gibb and Foreigner. The former was riding high with a string of chart hits, including 3 US #1s (“I Just Want To Be Your Everything”, “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water” and “Shadow Dancing”. At the time, his brothers were dominating the music scene as The Bee Gees, thanks to the phenomenal ‘Saturday Night Fever’ film and its soundtrack album.

Rock group Foreigner had burst onto the scene in 1977 with the singles “Feels Like The First Time”, “Cold As Ice” and “Long, Long Way From Home”. The band would go on to prove its longevity with further success in the 1980s with more Top 10 hits: “Urgent”, “Waiting For A Girl Like You” and “I Want To Know What Love Is”.

Andy Gibb would never receive a Grammy. The same fate befell Foreigner. Either act would have been a worthier recipient at least in the Best New Talent category. Again, the Academy showed poor foresight.

NEVER WON A GRAMMY AWARD*:

*(excludes life achievement categories)

 

ABBA

Outside of America, ABBA are remembered as one of the best groups in popular music. “Waterloo” was a landmark winner at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. The group would go on to create some of the best examples of pop, including “Mamma Mia”, “S.O.S.”, “Money, Money, Money”, “Fernando”, “Chiquitita” and “The Winner Takes It All”. Even American audiences succumbed to the enduring appeal of “Dancing Queen”, lifting it to #1. ABBA’s success put Sweden on the musical map. Acts like Roxette, Ace Of Base and songwriter / producer Max Martin carried the flame and, today, the country is one of the epicentres of pop. The stage musical “Mamma Mia!” and the two films that featured ABBA’s music have made it indisputable that the group produced quality and timeless songs.

Despite topping charts across the planet, ABBA never received a single Grammy nomination during its heyday. The Swedish group finally received its first in 2021 when the members re-united. Comeback single “I Still Have Faith In You” was a contender for Record Of The Year. Silk Sonic took home that trophy for “Leave The Door Open”. 

When ABBA then dropped a new album- its first since 1981!- the Academy gave the group another 4 nominations, including Album and Record Of The Year. Surely now, the Grammys would recognize the band’s huge impact and enduring appeal. Alas, this was not to be. ABBA lost to Harry Styles and Lizzo respectively.

That the Academy has failed to bestow a Grammy Award upon one of the best-selling and critically acclaimed acts of all-time is one of its most incredulous omissions.