Pick a Day

Music History Events: Awards and Honors

November 29, 1959 At the second Annual Grammy Awards, Bobby Darin wins for Best New Artist and also takes the award for Record of the Year for "Mack The Knife," which is still at #1 on the Hot 100. This is the first time the event is televised, and also the only time the ceremony is held at the end of the year instead of early the following year, meaning nothing in December 1959 is Grammy eligible. This faux pas is rectified with awards for 1960 given out in early 1961.

May 4, 1959 The very first Grammy Awards are held in Los Angeles, with Record of the Year going to Domenico Modugno's "Nel Blu, Dipinto di Blu (Volare)" and Henry Mancini's The Music From Peter Gunn soundtrack winning Album of the Year. The Champs' "Tequila," for some reason, takes home Best Rhythm and Blues Performance.

May 28, 1957 The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) is established. They become known for their Grammy Awards, which kicks off in 1958.

March 19, 2024 Dr. Dre gets a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Eminem, Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent join him at the ceremony.

February 4, 2024 Taylor Swift wins the Album Of The Year Grammy for Midnights, making her the first artist to win that award four times. Miley Cyrus gets Record Of The Year for "Flowers" and Billie Eilish takes Song Of The Year for "What Was I Made For?" from the movie Barbie.

January 15, 2024 Elton John wins an Emmy for his Farewell From Dodger Stadium live special, completing his EGOT collection. He won his first Grammy in 1987 ("That's What Friends Are For"), his first Oscar in 1994 ("Can You Feel The Love Tonight" from The Lion King) and a Tony in 2000 for scoring Aida.

December 6, 2023 Taylor Swift is named Time magazine's 2023 Person Of The Year, the first entertainer ever picked.More

July 12, 2023 Sheila E. becomes the first female solo percussionist to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ringo Starr and H.E.R. join her at the ceremony.

February 5, 2023 Beyoncé wins four Grammys, breaking the record for most all-time Grammy wins with 32. There's also a 50 years of hip-hop celebration, and the inaugural Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, given to... Dr. Dre.

May 11, 2022 Lionel Richie accepts the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at a celebration where Gloria Estefan sings "Dancing On The Ceiling," Chris Stapleton does "Say You, Say Me," and his fellow American Idol judge Luke Bryan performs "Lady."

April 3, 2022 73-year-old Bonnie Raitt wins the Grammy for Song Of The Year, beating out songs by Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Harry Styles with the title track to her album Just Like That. Her first Grammy wins came in 1990, when she was 40, after releasing her album Nick Of Time.

March 27, 2022 Summer Of Soul, directed by Questlove of The Roots, wins the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. The film features never-before-seen footage from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, including performances by Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson and Sly & the Family Stone.

December 3, 2017 LL Cool J, 49, becomes the youngest person to receive a Kennedy Center Honor, and the first rapper to do so.

August 28, 2016 At the MTV Video Music Awards, Beyoncé wins Video of the Year for "Formation." In support of the Black Lives Matter movement, she brings four mothers of shooting victims with her onto the red carpet. By the end of the evening, Bey (along with her production designer, choreographer, director, cinematographer and editor) has eight trophies.More

November 4, 2015 Chris Stapleton has a big night at the CMA Awards, winning New Artist Of The Year, Male Vocalist Of The Year, and Album Of The Year for Traveller, his solo debut. He also mesmerizes the crowd with a performance of "Tennessee Whiskey" with Justin Timberlake that goes viral.

April 27, 2012 Bob Dylan receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor awarded to a United States civilian citizen, from US President Barack Obama. Dylan is only the 29th musician to receive the award; previous recipients include Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Irving Berlin.

October 11, 2011 Esquire names Rihanna the Sexiest Woman Alive. She's the only musician ever to win the award, which they bestow from 2004-2015. Other winners include Minka Kelly and Halle Berry.More

July 25, 2010 John Fogerty performs "Centerfield" at the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, where he donates a guitar shaped like a baseball bat.More

December 6, 2009 President Obama greets honorees Bruce Springsteen and Robert DeNiro during the reception for the Kennedy Center Honors in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC.

July 10, 2009 Robert Plant is officially a Commander of the British Empire after being bestowed with the title by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.

April 14, 2009 Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Paul McCartney, Olivia Harrison and Dhani Harrison hit the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles to take part in the ceremony honoring George Harrison with his very own star in Hollywood.

April 4, 2009 At the Public Hall in Cleveland, Jeff Beck, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Metallica, Run-DMC and Bobby Womack are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

March 29, 2009 Nickelback rule the Juno Awards, winning Album of the Year, Group of the Year and the Fan Choice Award.

March 26, 2009 Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy hosts the MTV Australia Awards. His band wins Best Rock Video for "I Don't Care," while Pink's "So What" takes Best Video.

February 22, 2009 A.R. Rahman wins Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Song for "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire, earning the Bollywood music veteran his first two Oscars. The Pussycat Dolls release an English-language version, "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)," the same year.

February 12, 2009 At the 40th NAACP Image Awards, will.i.am's pro-Obama anthem "Yes We Can" wins in the Best Music Video and Best Song categories while Jennifer Hudson takes home three Awards, including Best New Artist.

February 8, 2009 Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are the big winners at the Grammy Awards, taking Album Of The Year for their collaboration Raising Sand and Record Of The Year for "Please Read the Letter." Lil Wayne wins four awards, and Adele takes Best New Artist, banishing any curse associated with that award.

January 19, 2009 The 12th annual Maple Blues Awards, the event honoring excellence among Canadian blues artists, is held by The Toronto Blues Society in Toronto, Canada. Jeff Healey sweeps three Maple Blues Awards including the coveted "Entertainer of the Year" honor.

January 7, 2009 At the People's Choice Awards, Carrie Underwood is the night's big winner, taking home the Favorite Female Singer, Country Song ("Last Name") and Favorite Star Under 35 Awards. Rascal Flatts takes the award for Favorite Group.

September 18, 2008 The Village People get a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame at 6529 Hollywood Blvd.