Dr. Dre circa 1993

Dr. Dre

Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

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Flashback To 1993: A Good Year In Music Or The Best Year In Music?

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Revisit the highlights of a year that gave us classic after classic at a pivotal time in music, culture and the industry
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Nov 13, 2018 - 5:57 pm

Looking back from 25 years later, a case is being made for 1993 as a remarkable year in music. There are so many ways to look at it, but NPR's World Cafe is definitely a fan, recently posing the question, "Was 1993 the greatest year in music?" While the world may never agree, it's certainly worth exploring...

Early in the year, looking back at 1992, the Record Of The Year at the 35th GRAMMY Awards went to Eric Clapton's "Tears In Heaven." At the 36th GRAMMY Awards for 1993, Record Of The Year went to Whitney Houston for "I Will Always Love You" from the soundtrack to The Bodyguard. Much of the music from that year is still dearly loved.

It was also the year Wu-Tang Clan debuted with Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). It was the year of Bjork's Debut, after the break-up of her group, The Sugarcubes. Her Best Music Video-Short Form nomination for "Human Behavior" at the 36th GRAMMY Awards was her first of 14 career-total nominations to date.

Noteworthy first-time GRAMMY winners for 1993 include Toni Braxton and Dr. Dre. The soundtrack to the movie Boomerang produced "Another Sad Love Song" winning Best R&B Performance, Female for Braxton, who also won Best New Artist. The ultimate cruising anthem "Let Me Ride" from The Chronic gave Dr. Dre his first GRAMMY win for Best Rap Solo Performance. Toni Braxton has won a total of seven GRAMMY Awards to date and Dr. Dre has won six.

NPR went ahead to round up a great many more classics and choice little-known tracks.. For example, more 1993 artists that were just beginning to come into GRAMMY focus were Sheryl Crow and Sarah McLachlan. It is amazing to explore one year in music with such a lasting impact on today and so many tracks that one can close one's eyes and remember hearing so many meaningful times.

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Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston

Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage

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Trailer Teases Whitney Houston Documentary's Debut At Cannes

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Directed by Kevin McDonald, 'Whitney' promises unprecedented footage of the sensational GRAMMY winner
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
May 16, 2018 - 3:22 pm

Anticipation for the documentary Whitney has reached a fever pitch, especially because cooperation by Whitney Houston's estate promises to make the film the "definitive look" at her legacy. On May 16 audiences at the Cannes Film Festival in the French Riviera got to see the doc for the first time. Now, the general public has gotten a taste in the form of a trailer.

Hitting theaters on July 6, the documentary culls exclusive archival footage as well as interviews to round out the story, including Bobby Brown, The Bodyguard co-star Kevin Costner, Clive Davis, and members of Houston's family.

"I had final cut of the film and would not have made it without that contractual security," Whitney director Kevin McDonald told the Cannes Festival. "I admire the family for being open-minded enough to allow me to make the film I wanted."

The filmmaker's previous music documentaries have focused on Mick Jagger and Bob Marley. As the reviews begin to come in from the French Riviera, McDonald said he judges his works by a single criterion. "I'm bored by 'icons,'" said McDonald. "I always think that the criterion for judging a film about an artist is the question: 'Do you appreciate their art more after watching my film?' If the answer is yes, then I have succeeded."

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Dr. Dre

Dr. Dre

Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

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David Bowie, Whitney Houston, Dr. Dre Recordings Added To GRAMMY Hall Of Fame

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Recordings from Johnny Cash, Billie Holiday, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Queen, Nirvana, and Aerosmith also added to the Hall, now in its 45th year
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jan 16, 2018 - 6:30 am

Each year the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame celebrates a class of outstanding recordings at least 25 years old that exhibit qualitative or historical significance. To continue its ongoing commitment to preserving and celebrating timeless recordings, the Recording Academy has announced the class of 2018 recordings added to the Hall.

  

Recordings honored include Whitney Houston's unforgettable 1992 cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You"; Dr. Dre's groundbreaking 1992 debut rap album, The Chronic; Public Enemy's 1989 hip-hop classic, "Fight The Power"; Aerosmith's 1973 power ballad, "Dream On"; Nirvana's influential 1991 LP, Nevermind; and David Bowie's 1969 time-traveling track "Space Odyssey."

Dr. Dre's 'The Chronic': 25 Years Later

Queen's fourth studio album, A Night At The Opera (1972), the Rolling Stones' chart-topping "Paint It Black" (1966), Johnny Cash's seminal Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison (1968), Linda Ronstadt's fifth studio album, Heart Like A Wheel (1974), Motown group the Four Tops' single "I Can't Help Myself" (1965), and Gladys Knight & The Pips' classic "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" (1967) each made the list.

Also earning a spot in the 2018 class is Jimi Hendrix's album Band Of Gypsys (1970), Sam Cooke's classic single "Bring It On Home To Me" (1962), Parliament's infectious track "Flash Light" (1978), Andy Williams' smooth interpretation of "Moon River" (1962), Billy Paul's ballad "Me And Mrs. Jones" (1972), and Leon Russell's iconic "A Song For You" (1970).

Representing jazz, the King Cole Trio's 1946 song "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons," Billie Holiday's 1937 version of "My Man" and Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five's 1927 track "Savoy Blues" have been inducted.

South African trumpeter/singer Hugh Masekela's track "Grazing In The Grass" (1968), Thomas Alva Edison's original recording of "Mary Had A Little Lamb" (1878), Delta blues singer Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup's "That's All Right" (1949), and English musician Mike Oldfield's debut album, Tubular Bells, (1973) round out this year's Hall honorees.

Each year recordings are reviewed by a special member committee comprised of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts, with final approval by the Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees. With these 25 new titles, the Hall, now in its 45th year, currently totals 1,063 recordings and is on display at GRAMMY Museum L.A. Live.

"The GRAMMY Hall Of Fame strives to embody the changing climate of music throughout these past decades, always acknowledging the diversity of musical expression for which the Academy has become known," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. "Iconic and inspiring, these recordings are an integral part of our musical, social and cultural history, and we are proud to have added them to our growing catalog."

The 60th GRAMMY Awards will take place at New York City's Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Jan. 28. The telecast will be broadcast live on CBS at 7:30–11 p.m. ET/4:30–8 p.m. PT. 

Trey Anastasio and Phil Lesh

Trey Anastasio and Phil Lesh

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

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Peach Music Festival 2019 Lineup Announced With Phil Lesh & Trey Anastasio

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GRAMMY winners on the bill include Blues Traveler, Warren Haynes, the Infamous Stringdusters, Stephen Marley, John Molo, and John Scofield
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Dec 14, 2018 - 5:51 pm

The Peach Music Festival has announced its lineup for the eighth annual edition of the fest, founded by the Allman Brothers Band in 2012, to be held July 25–28 at Montage Mountain in Scranton, Pa. Headliners playing multiple sets across the four days are Phil Lesh & Friends — featuring GRAMMY winners Warren Haynes, John Molo and John Scofield — Trey Anastasio Band and The String Cheese Incident.

In addition to the Grateful Dead's Phil Lesh, Joe Russo's Almost Dead is also headlining, playing their signature interpretations of the Grateful Dead catalog. In addition to Haynes, Allman Brothers alumni include GRAMMY winner Jaimoe appearing with Jaimoe's Jasssz Band. Other GRAMMY winners scheduled to perform include Blues Traveler, the Infamous Stringdusters and Stephen Marley.

Other acts lined up to entertain the crowd include Greensky Bluegrass, Lettuce, Lotus, Moe., and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. We've covered "The Peach" acts Larkin Poe and Billy Strings but there are so many more worth getting to know, who all rock out in their own special way.

Early-bird ticket sales are now open on the Peach Music Festival’s website, and visitors can look forward to enjoying The Peach's food and craft vendors as well as awesome water attractions at Montage Mountain.

Dead & Company Announce 2019 Tour: "So Let's Get On With The Show..."

Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan

Gloria and Emilio Estefan

Photo: Lester Cohen/WireImage

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Emilio And Gloria Estefan $200,000 Music Scholarship Announced

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The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation announced the Estefans' co-sponsorship of the Prodigy Scholarship, extending a proud line of artistic generosity
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Dec 14, 2018 - 4:15 pm

On Dec. 14, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation  announced that the winners of multiple GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY awards, Emilio and Gloria Estefan have launched the Emilio and Gloria Estefan Scholarship for $200,000 to help underwrite a Latin music student's four-year bachelor's degree at Berklee College of Music.

"It is a pleasure to support and help a student attend one of the most prestigious and celebrated universities in the world, Berklee College of Music," said Emilio Estefan.

The Estefans' amazing life together has been such a testimony to music that it is even the subject of its own Tony Award-nominated musical, On Your Feet. They have each been honored as the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year. Emilio was the very first, in 2000, followed by Gloria Estefan in 2008.

Their daughter, recording artist Emily Estefan is herself a Berklee graduate. "I always had the ability to pick up an instrument and play and explore my artistry," she said at a recent Recording Academy Florida Chapter event. "So many kids don't have the opportunity to do that."

"It is a privilege for us to have the support of music icons Emilio and Gloria Estefan," said Manolo Díaz, Sr. Vice President of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. "Through their leadership and support we hope to — not only change the life of an aspiring talent — but also inspire others to pursue the many careers available in music while inviting people to join our cause through donations."

The deadline for applications to be submitted is April 10, 2019 with details at the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation website. Submissions may be in English, Spanish or Portuguese and require two audition videos, two recommendation letters and answers to two essay questions. All applications are carefully evaluated by the Foundation's Scholarship Committee.

This is the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation's fifth co-sponsored Prodigy Scholarship in a program begun by Enrique Iglesias in 2015. Subsequent artists generously participating have been Juan Luis Guerra, Miguel Bosé and Carlos Vives — and now the incomparable Emilio and Gloria Estefan as well.

"Twenty years ago we were part of the founding committee that launched the Latin GRAMMYs," said Emilio Estefan. "It is such a satisfying honor to be a part of this organization as benefactors that will make reality the dream of one student with interest in Latin music."

Charitable commitments by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation total $4 million to date, supporting 200 scholarships, donations of musical instruments and Latin music educational events.

Carlos Vives, Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation Offer Scholarship