GRAMMY WTF?  ELVIS PRESLEY. 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?

ELVIS PRESLEY

Elvis Presley never won a Grammy for any of his rock and roll recordings!

The man remembered as The King Of Rock ‘n’ Roll was first nominated in 1959 in 3 categories, but missed out entirely.

Presley finally collected his first Grammy in 1967 for Best Sacred Performance (“How Great Thou Art”). His next win was in 1972 for Best Inspirational Performance (“He Touched Me”). Presley’s final win was in 1974 again for Best Inspirational Performance (and again for “How Great Thou Art”).   

How the Academy could overlook his considerable impact on rock music defies logic. Presley inspired countless other performers and grew into a popular culture icon. That he only received 3 Grammy Awards during his whole career is ridiculous.

 

NEVER WON A GRAMMY AWARD*:

*(excludes life achievement categories)

 

SLY & THE FAMILY STONE

In its heyday, Sly & The Family Stone was a rarity. The group included male and female performers and an interracial line-up revolving around Sylvester Stewart. Starting in the 1960s, the outfit delivered a succession of funk, psychedelic soul and R&B staples that included “Everyday People”, “Hot Fun In The Summertime”, “Dance To The Music”, “I Want To Take You Higher”, “Family Affair” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”.

The group’s influence can be heard in the music of followers such as Prince, Kool & the Gang, Lenny Kravitz, Earth, Wind & Fire, Rick James, Cameo, Public Enemy and Outkast.

Despite all of these achievements, the group never received a single nomination. Only Stewart was singled out for writing “Family Affair” in the Best Rhythm & Blues Recording category. It lost to “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder.

For some reason, George Clinton suffered the same fate. Despite forming the funk groups Parliament and Funkadelic, there would be no Grammys for either bands or for the man himself.