The year was 1957...

The Soviet Union launched the worlds first satellite, "Sputnik I". President Eisenhower presented the "Eisenhower Doctrine" which pledged U.S. defense against communism in the Middle East; The medical community was buzzing about the discovery of interferon; "The Bridge on The River Kwai" was playing at theatres everywhere; The "Hit Parade" featured "Wake Up Little Suzie" by the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly with "That'll Be The Day", and Elvis' hit, "Jailhouse Rock".

Despite warnings of its adverse ("devil music"), effect on society, Rock 'N Roll was sweeping the nation and taking over the airwaves. The music industry, was paying serious attention to the little studio in Memphis, "Sun Records", and was concerned about maintaining the quality and culture of its' society.

At the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood California a group of music industry executives met to discuss the creation of a "Record Award Society". It was May 28th, 1957. This new organization would be dedicated to the improving the quality of life and cultural condition for music and its makers. It would present awards to members for outstanding achievements in the recording industry. Recording Artists, Writers, Producers, Engineers, etc. would be the voting members of the society and would elect their peers to receive the awards. The award would be called the "Gramophone".

June 6th, 1957; a press conference was held to announce the formation of the "National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences", and the birth of the "Grammy".

The first "Chapter" of this new organization was opened in Los Angeles with some high profile founding members; Benny Carter, Rosemary Clooney, Nat "King" Cole, Doris Day, Stan Kenton, Henri Mancini, and Nelson Riddle.
A second "Chapter" was chartered in New York City under the Presidency of Guy Lombardo.

The first Grammy Awards were presented on May 4th, 1959. Both "Chapters" of "National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences" simultaneously held an Awards Dinner; the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills California and the Park Sheraton Hotel in New York City.
There were 28 categories in which to compete. The winners of the inaugural Grammys included; Domenico Modgugno - "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu", (better known as "Volare") for Record of the year; Henri Mancini - "The Music from Peter Gunn" for Album of the year; Ella Fitzgerald - "Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook" for Best Vocal Performance - Female, and Best Jazz Performance Individual; Perry Como - "Catch a Falling Star" for Best Vocal Performance - Male; Count Basie - "Basie" for Best Jazz Performance Group; Kingston Trio - "Tom Dooley" for Best Country and Western Performance.

Although Frank Sinatra, old "Blue Eyes" was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Vocal Performance, he didn't win. He did however take home Best Album Cover Design.

"To be able to do something that honors people is so fulfilling. I don't need the spotlight. This comes from the heart". John Billings, the "Grammy Dude".

The Grammy trophies are created in pieces then assembled and finished in gold plating at Billings Artworks in Ridgeway Colorado. John Billings crafts the trophies himself with help from his son, "Little John".

During the Grammy Awards presentations, "stunt" trophies are used. The real ones remain at Billings's studio until after the winning announcements are made. John then engraves each trophy with the winners name and category won and then sets out on a 2,000 mile round trip to personally deliver the Grammys to the Academy.

Who won the Most?

Most Grammys in a Lifetime; Sir Georg Solti, who conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 22 years personally won 31 Grammys.

Most Grammy Awards won by a band; U2 won a total of 22 Grammys.

Most Grammy Awards for consecutive albums; Pat Metheny, and Pat Metheny Group, won 17 Grammys.

Most Grammy Awards for Solo Artist - Male; Stevie Wonder has won 28 Grammys. In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Most Grammy Awards for Solo Artist - Female; Alison Krauss has won 20 Grammys.

Most Grammy Awards for Best R&B Vocal Performance- Female; Aretha Franklin has won 11 Grammys.

Youngest Grammy Winner; LeAnn Rimes was 14 years old when she won for "Best New Artist".

Most Grammys won in one night - Male; Michael Jackson in 1984 was nominated for 11 awards and won 8. Carlos Santana in 2000 won 8 Grammys to tie Jacksons record.

Most Grammys won in one night - Female; Lauryn Hill in 1999, Alicia Keys in 2002, Norah Jones in 2003, and The Dixie Chicks in 2007, all tied this record for winning 5 Grammys in one night.

Most Grammy Nominations; Quincy Jones has had 79 nominations, and won 27 Grammys.

Most Grammy Nominations with no wins; Alan Parsons and Joe Satriani are tied with 13 nominations but no wins.

Who's Never Won?
Some of these might surprise you;
50 Cent (nominated again this year), Lead Zepplin, Diana Ross, Backstreet Boys, Queen, Neil Young(nominated for two categories this year), Bob Marley, Janis Joplin, Buddy Holly, ABBA, and the Spice Girls. Of course there are many others.

Elvis Presley was nominated 14 times. Won 3 Grammys, however all were for Gospel recordings. In 1971 he was given the "Lifetime Achievement Award".

Frank Sinatra won 10 Grammy Awards.
Elton John won 5 Grammy Awards.
Beatles won 29 Grammy Awards, including individual efforts by each member

The "Lifetime Achievement Award" is presented to performers who have made creative contributions of outstanding creative significance to the field of recording during their lifetime.

This exclusive membership continues to grow;
1962; Bing Crosby.
1965; Frank Sinatra.
1966; Duke Ellington.
1967; Ella Fitzgerald.
1968; Irving Berlin.
1971; Elvis Presley.
1972; Louis Armstrong, Mahilia Jackson.
1981; Fred Astaire.
1984; Chuck Berry, Charlie Parker.
1985; Leonard Bernstein.
1986; Benny Goodman, The Rolling Stones,Andres Segovia.
1987; Roy Acuff, Benny Carter, Enrico Caruso, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Woody Herman, Billie Holiday, B.B. King, Isaac Stem, Igor Stravinsky, Arturo Toscanini, Hank Williams Sr.
1989; Fred Astaire, Pablo Casals, Dizzy Gillespie, Jascha Heifetz, Lena Horne, Leontye Price, Bessie Smith, Art Tatum, Sarah Vaughn.
1990; Nat "King" Cole, Miles Davis, Vladimir Horowitz, Paul McCartney.
1991; Marian Anderson, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Kitty Wells.
1992; James Brown, John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters.
1993; Chet Atkins, Little Richard, Thelonious Monk, Bill Monroe, Pete Seeger, Fats Waller.
1994; Bill Evans, Aretha Franklin, Arthur Rubenstein.
1995; Patsy Cline, Peggy Lee, Henry Mancini, Curtis Mayfield, Barbara Streisand.
1996; Dave Brubeck, Marvin Gaye, Georg Solti, Stevie Wonder.
1997; Bobby "Blue" Bland, The Everly Brothers, Judy Garland, Stephane Grappelli, Buddy Holly, Charles Mingus, Oscar Peterson, Frank Zappa.
1998; Bo Diddley, The Mills Brothers, Roy Orbison, Paul Robeson.
1999; Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Smokey Robinson, Mel Torme.
2000; Harry Belafonte, Woody Guthrie, John Lee Hooker, Mich Miller, Willie Nelson.
2001; The Beach Boys, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Marley, The Who.
2002; Count Basie, Rosemary Clooney, Perry Como, Al Green, Joni Mitchell.
2003; Etta James, Johnny Mathis, Glenn Miller, Tito Puente, Simon and Garfunkel.
2004; Van Cliburn, The Funk Brothers, Ella Jenkins, Sonny Rollins, Artie Shaw, Doc Watson.
2005; Eddy Arnold, Art Blakey, The Carter Family, Morton Gould, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jelly Roll Morton, Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins, The Staple Singers.
2006; David Bowie, Cream, Merle Haggard, Robert Johnson, Jessye Norman, Richard Pryor, The Weavers.
2007; Joan Baez, Booker T. & The MG's, Maria Callas, Ornette Coleman, The Doors, The Grateful Dead, Bob Wills.
2008; Burt Bacharach, The Band, Cab Calloway, Doris Day, Itzhak Perlman, Max Roach, Earl Scruggs.

Who Will the 50th Anniversary Winners Be?

Could it be Kanye West who leads the Grammy Nominations at 8?
How about Amy Winehouse with 6 Nominations?
Will Neil Young, the "Canadian Rock Legend" finally take home the prize?
What about Daniel Powter of American Idol fame?

50th Anniversary Grammy Awards telecast;
February 10th, 8:00pm EST. on CBS.