Here is one more cause for mourning for fans of the Backstreet Boys. Not only are two members of the famous boy band engaged to be married soon, the BSB also failed to bring home any trophy from the Grammy Awards. As many were hoping and predicting, the big winner was Santana for the album Supernatural.
The 52-year-old Mexican-born guitar virtuoso was one of the rock legends who emerged out of Woodstock 32 years ago. Supernatural was his first album after seven years and his first number one seller after 28 years. It was also a huge hit with the critics and was nominated in 10 Grammy categories. Santana won eight of them during the awards rites held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
These are Record of the Year, Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for Smooth featuring Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, Album of the Year and Best Rock Album for Supernatural, Best Group Pop Vocals for Maria Maria, Best Pop Instrumental for El Farol, Best Group Rock Vocals for Put Your Lights On, featuring Everlasting and Best Rock Instrumental for The Calling featuring Eric Clapton. The ninth Grammy went to Smooth by Itaal Shur and Rob Thomas.
Will this be one of those years when the 10,000 music professionals who voted for the winners will once more be accused of voting with their hearts instead of their ears? Quite likely. Aside from Santana, many other names from the past made it to the winners' circle. Among these were Cher, Barry White, Sting, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Phil Collins, Randy Newman, George Jones, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton and the video of a Jimi Hendrix concert. I doubt very much though if there are any objections to the Grammy sweep of Santana and Supernatural which is indeed one of the most wonderfully crafted albums ever heard.
Incidentally the legendary recordman Clive Davis who plucked Carlos Santana out of his semi-retired state and co-produced Supernatural was honored by the Grammys with the Trustee Award together with the equally legendary Phil Spector.
Other winners of honorary Grammy awards were Harry Belafonte, Woody Guthrie, John Lee Hooker, Mitch Miller and Willie Nelson for Lifetime Achievement and the Legend Award for Elton John.
Here are the other winners:
New Artist: Christina Aguilera
Female Pop Vocals: I Will Remember You by Sarah McLachlan.
Male Pop Vocals: Brand New Day by Sting.
Dance Recording: Believe by Cher.
Pop Album: Brand New Day by Sting.
Traditional Pop Vocals: Bennett Sings Ellington by Tony Bennett.
Female Rock Vocals: Sweet Child O'Mine by Sheryl Crow.
Male Rock Vocals: American Woman by Lenny Kravitz.
Hard Rock: Whiskey in the Jar by Metallica.
Metal: Iron Man by Black Sabbath.
Rock Song: Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Alternative Music: Mutations by Beck.
Female R&B Vocals: It's Not Right But It's Okay by Whitney Houston.
Male R&B Vocals: Staying Power by Barry White.
Duo or Group R&B Vocals: No Scrubs by TLC.
R&B Song: No Scrubs by TLC.
R&B Album: Fanmail by TLC.
Traditional R&B Vocals: Staying Power by Barry White.
Short Form Music Video: Freak on a Leash by Korn.
Long Form Music Video: Bands of Gypsy-Live at Fillmore East With Jimi Hendrix.
Soundtrack Album: Tarzan by Phil Collins.
Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture: A Bug's Life By Randy Newman.
Best Song Written for a Motion Picture: Beautiful Stranger from Austin Powers, the Spy Who Shagged Me by Madonna and William Orbit.
Musical Show Album: Annie Get Your Gun starring Bernadette Peters & Tom Wopat;
Rap Solo: My Name is by Eminem.
Rap Group: You Got Me by The Roots feat. Erykah Badu.
Rap Album: The Slim Shady LP by Eminem.
Country Female Vocals: Man! I Feel Like a Woman by Shania Twain.
Country Instrumental: Bob's Breakdowns by Asleep at the Wheel feat. Tommy Allsup, Floyd Domino; Larry Franklin; Vince Gill and Steve Wariner.
Country Song: Come On Over by Shania Twain.
Country Album: Fly by Dixie Chicks;
Contemporary Jazz Instrumental: Inside by David Sanborn;
Jazz Vocals: When I Look In Your Eyes by Diana Krall;
Country Male Vocals: Choices by George Jones;
Country Duo or Group Vocals: Ready to Run by Dixie Chicks.
Country Collaboration with Vocals: After the Gold Rush by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt & Dolly Parton.
Reggae Album: Calling Rastafari by Burning Spear.
Musical Album for Children: The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland by Various Artists.
Spoken Word Album for Children: Listen to the Storyteller by Wynton Marsalis, Graham Greene & Kate Winslet.