Elton John, The Police, Patsy Cline, Public Enemy And More Inducted Into Grammy Hall Of Fame

The Recording Academy has inducted 26 more iconic recordings into its Grammy Hall of Fame including Elton John, Patsy Cline and Public Enemy.

Published on

January 14, 2020

Laura Stavropoulos

Elton-John-Postpones-Farewell-Yellow-Brick-Road-Tour

Photo Credit: Greg Gorman

The Recording Academy has inducted 26 more iconic recordings into its Grammy Hall of Fame it revealed today.

This year’s additions span a diverse range of both single and album recordings that are at least 25 years old that “exhibit qualitative or historical significance”.

The list includes both recordings that were initially recognised at the Grammy Awards as well as recordings that either pre-date the inaugural 1958 Grammy Awards or were initially passed over upon release.

These include everything from Elton John’s definite 1971 hit ‘Tiny Dancer’, to Public Enemy’s historic 1988 album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back that never received a Grammy nomination but is considered one of the most essential albums in hip-hop history.

Other recordings that surprisingly never landed a Grammy nod are Neil Diamond’s 1969 singalong smash ‘Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)’, Patsy Cline’s ‘Walkin’ After Midnight’, and The Allman Brothers Band’ 1972 album Eat A Peach, among others.

Along with more recent hits, like The Police’s Grammy-winning 1983 smash ‘Every Breath You Take’ and ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)’ by The Eurhythmics, this year’s roster includes plenty of pre-1958 recordings like Capitol Presents The King Cole Trio (1944), ‘I’m A Man’ by
Bo Diddley (1955) and ‘Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite’ by Machito (1950).

“Each year it is our distinct privilege to preserve a piece of cultural and music history with our Grammy Hall Of Fame inductions,” said Deborah Dugan, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. “We are so honoured to welcome these timeless masterpieces to our growing catalogue of iconic recordings that serve as a beacon of music excellence and diverse expression that will forever impact and inspire generations of creators.”

With 26 new titles, the Hall, now in its 47th year, currently totals 1,114 recordings. Recordings are reviewed each year 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.

The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, which will be broadcast live on Sunday, 26 Jan. 2020, at 8 pm. ET/5 pm PT on the CBS.

View the full list of 2020 Grammy Hall Of Fame Inductees

‘Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite’
Machito
Mercury (1950)
Track

Capitol Presents The King Cole Trio
The King Cole Trio
Capitol (1944)
Album

‘Carolina Shout’
James P Johnson
OKeh (1921)
Single

Clouds
Joni Mitchell
Reprise (1969)
Album

‘Devil Got My Woman’
Skip James
Paramount (1931)
Single

Eat A Peach
The Allman Brothers Band
Capricorn (1972)
Album

‘Every Breathe You Take’
The Police
A&M (1983)
Single

Frampton Comes Alive!
Peter Frampton
A&M (1976)
Album

‘How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live’
Blind Alfred Reed
Victor (1930)
Single

‘I’ll Fly Away’
The Chuck Wagon Gang
Columbia (1949)
Single