The Recording Academy has been honoring juggernauts in the music industry for decades, singing praise for icons who shape the culture in real-time through the prestigious Grammy Awards, and last night came the first ceremony, to honor the same musical icons and timeless projects in a more low-key fashion.
The Grammy Hall of Fame Awards is a ceremony that's the first of its kind to honor inductees into its distinguished vanguard, bringing together musicians, old and new, for a general celebration of music and the influence it brings.
From last nights' ceremony, four albums and six singles were inducted into the hall of fame:
3 Feet High and Rising, De La Soul
Appetite for Destruction, Guns N’ Roses
Buena Vista Social Club, Buena Vista Social Club
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Lauryn Hill
“I Feel Love”, Donna Summer
“Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'”, Charley Pride
"Let's Have a Party”, Wanda Jackson
“Ory’s Creole Trombone”, Kid Ory’s Creole Orchestra
"What a Fool Believes", The Doobie Brothers
"You Don't Miss Your Water", William Bell
There were countless performances present for the ceremony including a number of covers to honor the inductees such as Andra Day performing "I Feel Love", Elle King covering “Let’s Have A Party”, and "Can't take My Eyes off of You" and Hanson performing "What a Fool Believes".
Attendees were also treated to a performance by William Bell himself to perform his honored single.
The ceremony ended with three cover performances celebrating the 75th anniversary of industry powerhouse, Atlantic Records. After playing a video highlighting Atlantic's roster and their influence on the industry for the past near century, attendees were given one of Atlantic's youngest signees, Ravyn Lenae honoring Roberta Flack with a cover of "Killing Me Softly With His Song". This was followed by an electrifying performance of "Stairway to Heaven" by Florida rock group Shinedown, and the ceremony came to a close with an energetic performance of Ray Charles's "What I'd Say" by gospel duo The War and Treaty.
