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Grammy Awards: Artists Who Shockingly Never Won a Single Trophy for Their Music
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Led Zeppelin
These rock giants were nominated for a Grammy only once -- for Best New Artist in 1970 -- but lost to Crosby, Stills & Nash. Yet, Led Zeppelin's influence is made clear every time a kid picks up a guitar and tries to learn 'Stairway to Heaven' as a rite of passage.
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Chuck Berry
By the time the Grammys came around in 1959, Chuck Berry's greatest hitmaking days were already behind him, even though he was still in his early 30s. Like many of the first generation who basically invented rock 'n' roll, he had to stand by and watch his young disciples reap all the accolades.
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Queen
Queen could be a lot of things -- a little bit rock, a little bit show choir, a little bit funk and a little bit opera. But despite influencing future acts like the Flaming Lips, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and George Michael, Queen could not be Grammy winners, making their anthem hit 'We Are the Champions' a bit of an overstatement.
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The Beach Boys
Known for their close vocal harmonies, sophisticated song structures and an association with American surf and car culture -- which the band had a big hand in popularizing -- the Beach Boys scored 36 Top 40 hits in the U.S. Beach Boy Brian Wilson did win his first and only Grammy award as a solo act (for a song that was supposed to be a Beach Boys tune back in the day) in 2005.
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Diana Ross
Her name is synonymous with the word "diva," and her group the Supremes paved the way for future all-female bands by scoring an unprecedented 12 US No. 1 singles. Yet Ross, famous for her love songs, would never get any love from Grammy voters, either as a solo act (another six No. 1 singles) or with the Supremes.
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The Grateful Dead
When it's apparent that a band probably should have won a Grammy at some point, they're usually awarded with either the Grammy Hall of Fame Award or the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The Dead -- never ones for chart success but huge influences in a number of genres, nonetheless -- were presented with the latter in 2007.
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Jimi Hendrix
Had there been a category for Rock Guitar God, maybe Hendrix would have snagged a Grammy. But while Hendrix reverberated the rock culture, it all happened so fast, there was hardly enough time for proper accolades.
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Tupac Shakur
A hip-hop deity, Tupac's status rose posthumously, as he became an inspiration for many rappers that would follow and one of our highest-earning deceased celebrities. Still, despite 11 Top 10 albums (three during life, eight after death), Tupac -- like his rival the Notorious B.I.G. -- never garnered a Grammy award.
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The Who
Though the Who have long been titans of rock, their singles had surprisingly little chart success in the US (only one Top 10 single -- 'I Can See for Miles'). They had even less success with Grammy awards. Their British Invasion brethren the Beatles landed seven.
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Bob Marley
It didn't help that the Award for Best Reggae Album wasn't even established until 1985 -- four years after Marley's death. (His kids have fared well, however, winning numerous awards in this category.) Still, Bob transcended the reggae genre, as proven by the artists who covered him, including Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash and Sublime.
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The Kinks
While widely considered one of the most influential bands of the British Invasion, when the Kinks were putting out classics like 'You Really Got Me' in the early '60s, Grammy voters hadn't quite caught on to rock 'n' roll. So big winners were often non-rock acts like Henry Mancini, the Swingle Singers and Louis Armstrong.
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Lynyrd Skynyrd
The band's epic 'Free Bird' long ago inspired a battle cry for classic rock enthusiasts attending live shows (and perhaps drinking a wee bit too much lager). And the band epitomized Southern rock like none other. Yet, any hopes for a Grammy went down with that plane.
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Janis Joplin
Her boyfriend Kris Kristofferson garnered many Grammy nods and victories. Yet his song 'Me and Bobby McGee' didn't land the award for either him or Joplin, who famously covered it. Had she lived beyond 27, there might have been more opportunity.
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Buddy Holly
You would assume Holly would have been nominated for several Grammy awards -- had they existed during his lifetime. But the very first awards show took place a few months after Holly was killed in a plane crash in 1959. Still, no excuse.
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The Doors
While it's sometimes said that the Doors grew in popularity after Jim Morrison's death, the band experienced success during his lifetime, including No. 1 hits with 'Light My Fire' and 'Hello, I Love You.' Still, Morrison's famously poetic lyrics weren't enough to light a fire under Grammy voters.
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Neil Young
Young joined Crosby, Stills & Nash too late for their 1969 Best New Artist Grammy. And, technically speaking, he actually does have one Grammy -- but it's not for his hard-edged guitar work or his poetic lyrics: A 2010 box set of his won for art direction. With Young not having actually won a Grammy for his music, we still have room for him here among the unheralded.
Update: Neil Young has won for Best Rock Song at the 2011 Grammy Awards. This list won't quite be the same without him among this distinguished company.
Update: Neil Young has won for Best Rock Song at the 2011 Grammy Awards. This list won't quite be the same without him among this distinguished company.
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Add a Comment
This goes to show that the so-called Grammy Awards are not worth the metal they are made out of, look at all the Rock Legends that never won a grammy yet some of the most non talented and pussiest groups in the world win this useless award. I consider the grammy awards to winning a bingo game at a local church, WHO CARES!!!
December 21 2011 at 4:14 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWhy even rate these people that get their music/crap in our face anymore? they are all lipsiked, sampled/cut & paste edited, emaciated autotuned twinks that didn't even write anything we hear.
December 20 2011 at 9:19 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplySo many of the most meaningful bands/performers in Music History don't need the shinny gold of an award. They played music for the love of music and to share their talents with the world. How many of us grew up (I grew up in the 80's-90's) and still treasure songs by the artist who were decades ahead of us. Their words and melodies spoke to us, and still speak to us (those that still chose to listen, that is). Now alot of artist are just sampling or using the music that came from the blood, sweet, tears, and highs of those who will always be the the reason we all fell in love with the music in the first place. There is a reason why bands like Led Zepplin, The Who, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, The Dead, and so many more, still have the music that so many can still relate to no matter how long ago the songs were written. Thank you to all of them, the ones mentioned in this article and the many more that aren't, for sharing their vision, talent, and thoughts with all of us. I for one know there are so many songs that I can associate many periods of my life to, and that special song can take be back to those days, people, and places.
September 03 2011 at 11:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply..........and those who did not win the Grannys (lol) their music stand the test of time!shame on u so called music Grannys ( but i love my Grammy -( grand Mommy ) she baked me cookies and she's was the 1 who bought our first turntable...
June 27 2011 at 8:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
greek
thank god! the kingston trio have two!
February 17 2011 at 9:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
seattlesusieq
Neil Young finally won this year. As did Mavis Staples.
Elvis Presley only won for his gospel music, never for his Rock & Roll.
Katrina
Hall and Oates never won a grammy either
February 13 2011 at 11:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Bill
1 reply to Bill's comment
Honestly, one would have to say the higher accolade is not receiving a Grammy. Given the level of trash and one-hit wonders awarded Grammys of late, would suggest a really note-worthy performer would best shun the awards.
February 13 2011 at 10:18 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
magsmagenta
You have a valid point.
February 14 2011 at 1:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
jandb1215
The fact that The Beatles only won 7 Grammys should tell you what a crock these awards are. The fact about the names on this list not winning just strengthens this.
February 13 2011 at 10:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
chaveza4
any true fan of music knows these awards are meaningless. The best guitar player on the planet bar none is Frank Marino of Mahogany Rush. Go on You tube and search his video's from the Montreal 2001 show and see for yourself. He is ageless and can play circles around any player today including Slash and Santrioni. Two great players don't get me wrong. Yet, there is no grammy for Frank and never will be. Serious do a You tube search and see for yourselves. His show at the Bromont theatre is legendary. Serious, he is that good. And let's not forget the great Johnny Winter. He is the blues yet Robert Cray gets the awards. I love Cray but Johnny is hands down the best blues guitarist of all time. Mean town Blues. Alvin Lee. He destroyed Woodstock. No grammy though.
February 13 2011 at 9:20 PM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Reply
28 Comments