History of the GRAMMY Award

The GRAMMY Award is synonymous with musical excellence.  Winning one has nothing to do with sales,
chart success or popularity.  Rather, it
is the result of a rigorous voting process carried out by music industry
peers. 

GRAMMY Award, First Design (1961)GRAMMY Museum

First Design (1958-1962)

The very first GRAMMY design featured a soldered crank that was notorious for breaking off when “wound” by winners.  (Courtesy of Bob Newhart)  

GRAMMY Award, First Design (1961)GRAMMY Museum

GRAMMY Award, First Design (Courtesy of Bob Newhart)

GRAMMY Award, First Design (1961)GRAMMY Museum

GRAMMY Award, First Design (Courtesy of Bob Newhart)

GRAMMY Award, First Design (1961)GRAMMY Museum

GRAMMY Award, First Design (Courtesy of Bob Newhart)

GRAMMY Award, Second Design (1963/1968)GRAMMY Museum

GRAMMY
Award, Second Design (1963-1968)

Replica GRAMMY statue of the second version (Courtesy of The Recording Academy)

GRAMMY Award, Second Design (1963/1968)GRAMMY Museum

GRAMMY Award, Second Design (Courtesy of The Recording Academy)

GRAMMY Award, Third Design (1969/1988)GRAMMY Museum

GRAMMY Award, Third Design (1969-1988) 

The third GRAMMY design raised the existing base by one-quarter of an inch.

(Courtesy of The Recording Academy)

GRAMMY Award, Third Design (1969/1988)GRAMMY Museum

GRAMMY Award, Third Design (Courtesy of The Recording Academy)

GRAMMY Award, Fourth Design (1989/1990)GRAMMY Museum

GRAMMY Award, Fourth Design (1989-1990)

The fourth GRAMMY design raised the existing base by three-eighths of an inch. (Courtesy of Bonnie Raitt)

GRAMMY Award, Fifth Design (1999)GRAMMY Museum

GRAMMY
Award, Fifth Design (1991-present)

Renowned composer, songwriter, and producer Barry White’s final album, Staying Power, resulted in the hit song of the same name in 1999. (Courtesy of Barry White Family Trust)

GRAMMY Award, Fifth Design (1999)GRAMMY Museum

GRAMMY Award, Fifth Design (Courtesy of Barry White Family Trust)

GRAMMY Award, Fifth Design (1999)GRAMMY Museum

GRAMMY Award, Fifth Design (Courtesy of Barry White Family Trust)

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