5 Things You Didn't Know About The Grammy Awards
1. Berklee Pride
Boston's own Berklee College of Music has 19 alumni and faculty members nominated in 2013. They're up for a total of 27 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year. In the 55 years since the launch of the Grammy's, current and former Berklee folk have taken home 222 awards.
2.Conducting Greatness
John Williams, who served as The Boston Pops Orchestra's 19th conductor from 1980 to 1995, ranks eighth all-time for most Grammy wins. He has 21. That's the most of anyone with a Boston connection. Williams, who turns 81 in February 2013, still serves as the Boston Pops' conductor laureate.
3. Boston or Bust
Released in 1976, the debut album "Boston" by Boston landed the band a Grammy nomination for best new artist. They didn't win that Grammy, but over time, Boston managed to sell more than 17 million copies of that album, making it the second best-selling debut album of all time to date. Boston's luck ran out quickly though. It has not received another Grammy nomination since.
4. "Chick" from Chelsea
Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts in 1941. The accomplished jazz pianist went on to replace Herbie Hancock in Miles Davis' band. He has been nominated 59 times, which ranks him 3rd all-time. Corea has won 18 Grammy Awards, and ranks in 9th place all time for wins.
5. The Disco Queen
Donna Summer grew up in the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston. Summer won five Grammy Awards in her career. But despite being the "Queen of Disco," she never won for "Best Disco Recording." Why? The award, first handed out in 1980, was eliminated the following year because of backlash against disco. Summer was nominated the only year it was given out, but lost out to Gloria Gaynor.
