Grammy Gala: A Night of Musical Excellence
An academic exploration of the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, celebrating the pinnacle of musical achievement from the eligibility year.
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Event Overview
Location & Date
The 59th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony convened on February 12, 2017. The prestigious event was broadcast live by CBS from the renowned Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.[2][3]
Host & Eligibility
For the first time, comedian James Corden hosted the main ceremony.[4] The eligibility period for recordings, compositions, and artists spanned from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016.[2] The pre-telecast Premiere Ceremony, recognizing numerous awards, was hosted by Margaret Cho.[5]
Broadcast & Viewership
The television broadcast on the CBS network captured the attention of approximately 26.07 million viewers in the United States.[1] This significant viewership underscores the event's cultural impact and broad appeal within the music industry.
Key Figures
Most Awards
Adele emerged as the night's most decorated artist, securing five Grammy Awards. Her wins included the prestigious Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year.[10] This remarkable achievement marked the second time Adele swept all three major general field categories in her career.
Most Nominations
Beyoncé led the field with nine nominations, reflecting her significant artistic output and critical acclaim during the eligibility period.[6] Following closely were Drake, Rihanna, and Kanye West, each earning eight nominations.
Engineering Excellence
Tom Elmhirst, an engineer and mixer, demonstrated exceptional technical skill by winning six awards from six nominations, highlighting the crucial role of technical craft in music production.[10]
Featured Performances
Main Stage Acts
The ceremony featured a diverse lineup of performances from leading artists. Notable performances included Adele, The Weeknd with Daft Punk, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, and Beyoncé.[12][13]
Premiere Ceremony Acts
The Premiere Ceremony also featured notable performances, including tributes to artists like Leonard Cohen, Sharon Jones, and the Bee Gees, showcasing a breadth of musical styles and generations.[16]
Presenters
Notable Presenters
A constellation of stars presented awards throughout the evening, adding to the event's glamour. Presenters included Jennifer Lopez, Paris Jackson, John Travolta, Nick Jonas, Katharine McPhee, The Chainsmokers, Ryan Seacrest, Tina Knowles, Camila Cabello, Thomas Rhett, Little Big Town, William Bell, Gary Clark Jr., Gina Rodriguez, Maren Morris, Alicia Keys, Taraji P. Henson, Laverne Cox, Halsey, Jason Derulo, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Celine Dion, and Solange Knowles.[15]
Major Award Recipients
Record of the Year
"Hello" by Adele received the award for Record of the Year. The production team included Greg Kurstin, Julian Burg, Tom Elmhirst, Emile Haynie, Liam Nolan, Alex Pasco, and Joe Visciano, with mastering by Tom Coyne and Randy Merrill.[7]
Album of the Year
Adele's album 25 was honored with the Album of the Year award. Producers included Danger Mouse, Samuel Dixon, Paul Epworth, Greg Kurstin, Max Martin, Ariel Rechtshaid, Shellback, The Smeezingtons, and Ryan Tedder.[7]
Song of the Year
The award for Song of the Year was presented to "Hello", with songwriters Adele Adkins and Greg Kurstin recognized for their work.[7]
Best New Artist
Chance the Rapper was awarded Best New Artist, marking a significant recognition of his burgeoning career. Other nominees included Kelsea Ballerini, The Chainsmokers, Maren Morris, and Anderson .Paak.[11]
Category Highlights
Pop & Dance
In the Pop categories, Adele won Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album for 25. Twenty One Pilots secured Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Stressed Out". The Chainsmokers featuring Daya won Best Dance Recording for "Don't Let Me Down", while Flume's Skin took Best Dance/Electronic Album.[7]
Rock & Alternative
David Bowie received posthumous honors, winning Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, and Best Alternative Music Album for Blackstar. Megadeth won Best Metal Performance for "Dystopia", and Cage the Elephant's Tell Me I'm Pretty was named Best Rock Album.[7]
R&B, Rap & Country
Solange won Best R&B Performance for "Cranes in the Sky", and Lalah Hathaway won Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best R&B Album for Lalah Hathaway Live. Beyoncé's Lemonade won Best Urban Contemporary Album. Chance the Rapper's Coloring Book earned Best Rap Album. Maren Morris won Best Country Solo Performance for "My Church", and Sturgill Simpson's A Sailor's Guide to Earth was awarded Best Country Album.[7]
World, Jazz & Roots
Yo-Yo Ma & The Silk Road Ensemble won Best World Music Album for Sing Me Home. Gregory Porter's Take Me to the Alley won Best Jazz Vocal Album, and John Scofield's Country for Old Men took Best Jazz Instrumental Album. William Bell's This Is Where I Live was recognized as Best Americana Album.[7]
Special Honors
Lifetime Achievement
The ceremony honored several legendary artists with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, including Shirley Caesar, Ahmad Jamal, Charley Pride, Jimmie Rodgers, Nina Simone, Sly Stone, and The Velvet Underground, recognizing their profound contributions to music.[19]
Trustees & Technical Awards
Thom Bell, Mo Ostin, and Ralph S. Peer received the Trustees Award for their significant influence. Alan Dower Blumlein was honored with the Technical Grammy Award for his pioneering work.[19]
Music Educator Award
Keith Hancock of Tesoro High School in Las Flores, California, received the Music Educator Award, highlighting the importance of music education.[19]
Hall of Fame Inductions
Historic Recordings
Several iconic recordings were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame during this ceremony, celebrating their enduring legacy and cultural significance. These included "ABC" by The Jackson 5, "Changes" by David Bowie, "City of New Orleans" by Arlo Guthrie, and "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt, among others.[20]
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References
References
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Academic Disclaimer
Important Notice
This content has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence system for educational purposes, drawing upon publicly available data from Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness based on the provided source, the information reflects a specific point in time and may not encompass all nuances or subsequent developments.
This is not an official publication of the Recording Academy, nor does it constitute professional music industry analysis. The information provided is intended for academic study and general informational purposes only. Users are encouraged to consult official sources and conduct their own research for definitive information regarding the Grammy Awards and the music industry.
The creators of this page are not liable for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented herein.