1973’s Best New Artist Grammy Winner Coming to Grand Junction

As I was watching the 55th Grammy Awards, I was particularly interested in the Best New Artist Category. Of the nominees, I had never heard of The Lumineers, Frank Ocean, or Hunter Hayes. Not long ago I heard someone mention Alabama Shakes, and I have heard a song by Fun on the radio. So my familiarity with the nominees was minimal. The question in my mind is, which of these artists will go on to become big names in the business and great commercial success? And which ones will not.

Some Best New Artist nominees from the past who’s names you might not recognize include Horst Jankowski, Lana Cantrel, Eumir Deodato, and the Brecker Brothers. But listen to this list of past Best New Artist nominees who didn’t win.; The Letterman, The Four Seasons, Peter, Paul, & Mary, Chicago, Led Zepplin, Elton John, and Foreigner.

Just for fun, let’s go back 40 years. Maybe there were people watching the broadcast on March 3, 1973 who had the same thoughts I had  this year. “I’ve never heard of these guys. Who are these people?” The nominees were America, The Eagles, Harry Chapin, Loggins & Messina, and country/folk singer John Prine. It’s a pretty impressive list of nominees. Although at the time no one could know just how impressive it is, that list of artists would manage 56 chart hits between them.And the Grammy goes to……America. It's the only Grammy they would win, but they managed to score no less than 17 chart hits, two #1's,  8 top-ten billboard hits, and they've sold millions of albums.

This year’s Grammy for Best New Artist went to Fun. Who knows. Forty years from now, this band could be just like America and be a core artist on classic hit  stations in the year 2053. Or they might go the way of the 1977 winner for Best New Artist, the Starland Vocal Band. Can anyone name a hit for the band besides “Afternoon Delight?”

Here’s a look at 1973’s presentation of the Grammy for Best New Artist by The Fifth Dimension.

By the way, America, the 1973 Grammy Award winner for Best New Artist will be in concert March 14th at the Avalon Theatre in Grand Junction. Get ticket information here and vote for your favorite America song of all time.