Fun Grammy Trivia

Think you know your Grammy trivia? You probably know that the first awards were handed out in 1959, and that ceremonies were held on the East and West coasts until the first live Grammy telecast in 1971. But did you know these interesting facts about the awards?

• The Grammy is a peer-nominated award. Any musician, technician or recording industry professional who is part of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences can submit any eligible person or recording for nomination.
• A 150-member panel reviews all the nominees. The overall nominations are whittled down to five nominees in each category.
• The Grammy recognizes artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry.
• Album sales and chart position do not factor into the Grammy awards.
• The Recording Academy was founded in 1957. Its members are musicians, producers, engineers and recording studio professionals.
• The award itself is handmade. Because the award is so delicate, stunt Grammys are used during the award ceremony.
• On May 4, 1959, the first Grammy Awards were presented in the Grand Ballroom of the Beverly Hills Hilton.
• In 1959, there were 22 awards presented. In 2009, 110 awards were presented.
• The Grammy host city used to alternate between New York and Los Angeles, recalling the days when separate ceremonies were held on each coast. Since 2000, however, the Grammys have been held in Los Angeles.
• The Fresh Prince, also known as actor Will Smith, and DJ Jazzy Jeff won the first Grammy for a Rap Performance in 1989.
• Milli Vanilli is the only winner ever to be stripped of the award. Their award for Best New Artist (1989) was revoked when it was revealed that they did not actually perform on the album.
• The record for Grammys held by one person is 30 awards. This honor belongs to George Solti, a conductor and director. He has worked with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic.
• Robin Williams has four Grammy Awards for his comedic albums.
• The youngest recipient of a Grammy to date is LeAnn Rimes. She was 14 when she won Best New Artist in 1997.
• The only artist to decline a Grammy was Sinead O'Connor. She refused her Grammy for Best Alternative Music Performance.
• The most Grammys that can be awarded to one person in a single year is 8.
• Elvis received 14 Grammy nominations, but won only three Grammys. All three awards were for his gospel music.
• The Beatles won 11 Grammys while the band was together. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band won the most awards, with four.
• John Lennon was honored with a posthumous Lifetime Achievement award in 1990, one year after Paul McCartney received the award.
• Michael Jackson won 13 Grammy awards over the course of his career. In 1984, Michael Jackson won 8 Grammy awards in one evening.
• Stevie Wonder as a solo artist has won 28 Grammys. He also has a Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Kelly Clarkson is the first American Idol to win a Grammy.
• Eminem won seven Grammys and an Oscar in 2002 for 8Mile.
• Elmo from Sesame Street has won three Grammys.