The Surprising 1989 Grammy Win: Jethro Tull Over Metallica

February 22, 1989, marked a controversial moment in Grammy history that took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. During the ceremony, shock rocker Alice Cooper and pop-metal artist Lita Ford were tasked with announcing the nominees for the inaugural Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance award. Billy Crystal, the host, had introduced them, ready to present the winner.

Alice Cooper began the announcement, followed by Lita Ford listing the nominees, including the heavy favorite, Metallica, whose album …And Justice For All was up for the prize. Alongside Metallica, AC/DC, Iggy Pop, Jethro Tull, and Jane's Addiction were named as contenders, making for a diverse selection of styles within the hard rock and metal genres.

In a playful mishap, Cooper momentarily distracted the audience with a rubber snake before announcing Jethro Tull's Crest of a Knave as the unexpected winner of the category. This led to a mix of applause and boos in the audience as Jethro Tull was not present at the ceremony. Alice Cooper and Lita Ford accepted the award on their behalf.

The drawback for Jethro Tull was significant, considering most anticipated Metallica to win. Critics and fans alike were stunned by the decision, suggesting that name recognition may have played a role in Jethro Tull's victory. The backlash prompted the Grammys to split the category the following year into Best Hard Rock Performance and Best Metal Performance.

Despite being overlooked the previous year, Metallica's single 'One' was entered in the 1990 Metal category and walked away with the award. Interestingly, the single was from the same album that lost to Jethro Tull. Metallica continued to claim Grammy wins in subsequent years, eventually gaining recognition from the awards multiple times

The 1989 Grammy controversy has been noted by many as a pivotal moment not just for the bands involved, but also for the Grammy Awards itself. It sparked conversation and changes that shaped future ceremonies and categories.

Grammy, controversy, metal