This is a followup to 2 previous posts about the grammy winners for best new artist. The 70s entries might seem really corny to rock and rap fans but here they are anyway (actually since there were no rock categories until 1979 this is the only field where a harder edged act had a chance of getting any recognition. Led Zeppelin were nominated here in 1969).

Which acts were most deserving? Which least? Who got left out? Note acts that went solo from groups (the 4 Beatles going solo, Michael and Jermaine Jackson going solo from Jackson-5) were technically not considered to be new. I don't know if they were ineligible but they didn't appear in this field

1970-

Carpenters- WON- their music appeared in each of the top 3 categories
Elton John- was up for best album and is still around
Anne Murray
Partridge Family- I just realized a few years back that they were a real recording act
Melba Moore- seemed to be nominated for the Broadway musical Purlie

MISSING: Jackson 5 were the hottest singles act of the year with 4 #1 songs in a row

1971-

Carly Simon- WON- had money to back up her victory, her dad was a rich publisher
Bill Withers- over 30 r&b singer- Lean On Me
Emerson Lake and Palmer
Chase- rock band
Hamilton Joe Frank and Reynolds - sang Fallin In Love

MISSING: The Stylistics

1972-

America- WON- had a #1 hit that year which none of these others did
Eagles
John Prine- folk singer
Loggins and Messina
Harry Chapin

MISSING: Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes

1973-

Bette Midler-WON, still well known as an all around entertainer
Barry White- I read in a book that he cursed loudly, got up and stormed out when Midler won, he got 2 in 1999
Deodata- he did 2001: A Space Odyssey and produced Kool and the Gang in the late 70s-eary 80s
Maureen McGovern
Marie Osmond

MISSING: Pointer Sisters, Hall and Oates, I'm not sure but I think David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen came out this year

1974-

Marvin Hamlisch- WON, he was a composer, not really an artist, therefore a poor choice to win this
Phoebe Snow
Graham Central Station- r&b band
Johnny Bristol- r&b singer
David Essex- he sang Rock On
Bad Company- rock band

NOTE: In hindsight this is a strange bunch of little remembered acts. Billy Joel came out this year I think. So did Barry Manilow

1975-

Natalie Cole- WON, has been one of the most enduringly popular winners ever
Brecker Brothers- Randy Brecker keeps winning jazz grammies
KC and the Sunshine Band
Morris Alpert- he sang Feelings
Amazing Rhythm Aces- country band

1976-

Starland Vocal Band- WON, though many wish they hadn't
Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band- did a 5th of Beethoven
Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band- they mixed 40s big band with disco
Brothers Johnson
Wild Cherry- did Play that Funky Music White Boy then disappeared

1977-

Debby Boone- WON, many hate this choice
Andy Gibb
Shaun Cassidy
Stephen Bishop
(I can't remember if the 5th entry was Boston or Foreigner. It was one of the two)

NOTE: the first 3 of the 5 were relatives of already famous singers. Except for the band I can't remember, all were middle of the road soft pop acts

1978-

A Taste of Honey- WON, many hated this choice
Cars
Elvis Costello
Chris Rea- Australian pop singer
Toto

1979-

Rickie Lee Jones- WON
The Knack
Blue Brothers
Robin Williams
Dire Straits

MISSING: The Police, Sugar Hill Gang

NOTE: Robin Williams proved that non-musical acts could appear here. Bob Newhart actually won this category in 1960.

1970: Elton John
1971: Carly Simon
1972: The Eagles
1973: Barry White
1974: Bad Company- rock band
1975: bad year.
1976: see above
1977: Yuckl
1978: Elvis Costello
1979: Dire Straits

Originally posted by jamesanthony
Who got left out?

A short guy from Minnesota got left out 1978. 1975, Natalie Cole was no surprise, considering who her father was. It's obvious with some of the other choices though, that the 70's were a very strange decade. I say a good one, but strange.

Picking the ones I personally like the best from each year:

1970- I like the Carpenters and Anne Murray too. Carpenters are probably more deserving I guess

1971- I like Bill Withers better than Carly Simon. Simon is not bad but I prefer Withers who was grittier and had a stronger voice

1972- The Eagles, but there are only some songs by them that I like, some I can't tolerate

1973- Barry White, his deep voiced thing was better than Isaac Hayes and a lot of the copycats plus he was a good arranger/musician

1974- Phoebe Snow was an original singer

1975- I admit I think Natalie Cole is my favorite

1976- I don't mind Starland Vocal Band so much I guess . Dr Buzzard only had I hit. Brothers Johnson were OK but not spectacular enough to win this

To me the category get progressively worse after 1975

1977- Andy Gibb I guess though he'd have been a nothing without his brothers as produer/writers. If the 5th act was Foreigner I'd say they were more deserving

1978- I don't think any of them deserved it. I guess Elvis Costello, though I don't care for his music much and I don't like Prince

1979- Don't like any of these acts. Rickie Lee maybe just to pick someone

This brings up the issue of whether or not they would ever do away with this category if it was felt that there were very few or no acts worth nominating. I doubt they would do a stunt like this now, but there was no new artist category in 1966. What would they do if there were ony 2 acts that the critics thought were deserving?

Originally posted by jamesanthony
What would they do if there were ony 2 acts that the critics thought were deserving?

they did that this past year. Go and find another artist that got popular the past year, tho have been around. They nominated Fountains Of Wayne as "best new artist" despite the fact they've been around and scoring hits on rock radio since 1996 (I remember MTV playing Radiation Vibe quite a bit in late 1996 and it made it to the top 10 on the rock radio chart), which is longer than Justin, Britney, Beyonce or Christina have been around, but because Stacy's Mom was their first hit on top 40 radio, the Grammy people decided they were "new", even tho most of us actually considered it a COMEBACK HIT for them

1970. Carpenters deserved it, Elton yet hadn't become "great" at this point.
1971. Carly Simon deserved it
1972. The Eagles should've gotten it
1973. Bette Midler is an all-around diva, she deserved it
1974. Bad Company had some great rock songs in the 70's
1975. I think Natalie Cole may as well deserved it, tho I don't like any of her recent material
1976. weren't the Brothers Johnson the only act on this list to have more than 1 hit single?
1977. I guess Andy Gibb of those choices.
1978. The Cars should've won. Elvis Costello should've been nominated for 1977 instead (in which he should've won that year)
1979. I suppose Robin Williams should've won since I am a fan (of his acting)

1976. weren't the Brothers Johnson the only act on this list to have more than 1 hit single?


Yes they were. They had hits into 1980. The other nominees that year all died quickly though at least they were all bands who played instruments which is more than can be said for 1977.

I love America and The Stylistics!:D

Originally posted by jamesanthony


1974-

Marvin Hamlisch- WON, he was a composer, not really an artist, therefore a poor choice to win this
Phoebe Snow
Graham Central Station- r&b band
Johnny Bristol- r&b singer
David Essex- he sang Rock On
Bad Company- rock band

NOTE: In hindsight this is a strange bunch of little remembered acts. Billy Joel came out this year I think. So did Barry Manilow

1977-

Debby Boone- WON, many hate this choice
Andy Gibb
Shaun Cassidy
Stephen Bishop
(I can't remember if the 5th entry was Boston or Foreigner. It was one of the two)

NOTE: the first 3 of the 5 were relatives of already famous singers. Except for the band I can't remember, all were middle of the road soft pop acts


1979-

Rickie Lee Jones- WON
The Knack
Blue Brothers
Robin Williams
Dire Straits

MISSING: The Police, Sugar Hill Gang

:.

Several other noeworthy acts that could have been recognized:

1974- Blue Magic

1977- Maze and Frankie Beverly, Deneice Williams

1979- GQ, Cheryl Lynn, Bobby Caldwell. GQ (Disco Nights was a good band)