1981 Grammy Awards

Awards
- 1981 Music Awards
-- Grammy Awards

--- 1981 Grammy Awards

Details & Performances

  • Host: Paul Simon
  • Venue: Radio City Music Hall
  • City: New York City
  • Date: February 25, 1981
  • Cynthia Clawson -
  • Tramaine Hawkins -
  • Walter Hawkins -
  • Dony McGuire -
  • Reba Rambo -
  • Bj Thomas -

Awards

Album of the Year

  • Christopher Cross - Christopher Cross
  • Barbra Streisand, Barry Gibb - Guilty
  • Billy Joel - Glass Houses
  • Frank Sinatra - Trilogy: Past, Present, Future
  • Pink Floyd - The Wall Lyrics

Best Album Notes

  • Frank Sinatra - Trilogy: Past, Present and Future
  • Blind Willie McTell, Curley Weaver, Buddy Moss - Atlanta Blues: 1933
  • Louis Armstrong - Chicago Concert 1956
  • Elvis Presley - Elvis Aaron Presley
  • Giants of Jazz - Lester Young

Best Album of Original Score written for a Motion Picture or Television Special

  • John Williams - The Empire Strikes Back
  • J.D. Souther, Boz Scaggs, David Foster, Jerry Foster, Bill Rice, Brian Collins, Robby Campbell, Joe Walsh, Bob Morrison, Johnny Wilson, Dan Fogelberg, Bob Seger, Wayland Holyfield, Bob House, Wanda Mallette, Patti Ryan - Urban Cowboy
  • Michael Gore, Anthony Evans, Paul McCrane, Dean Pitchford, Lesley Gore, Robert F. Colesberry - Fame
  • Paul Simon - One Trick Pony
  • Stevie Wonder, Michael Sembello, Stephanie Andrews, Yvonne Wright - Stevie Wonder's Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants

Best Album Package

Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)

Best Arrangement for Voices

Best Cast Show Album

  • songs by 27 songwriters performed by blacks in vaudeville - One Mo' Time

Best Chamber Music Performance - Instrumental or Vocal

  • Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman - Music for 2 Violins (Moszkowski: Suite for 2 Violins; Shostakovich: Duets; Prokofiev: Sonata for 2 V
  • Cleveland Quartet - Beethoven: Early Quartets, Op. 18
  • Pinchas Zukerman, Marc Neikrug - Debussy: Sonata No. 3 in G Minor for Violin and Piano; Faure: Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano
  • Daniel Barenboim, Luben Yordanoff, Albert Tetard, Claude Desurmont - Messiaen: Quartet for the End of Time
  • Juilliard Quartet - Schubert: Quartet No. 15 in G Major, Op. 161

Best Classical Album

  • Pierre Boulez conducting the Orchestre de l'Opera de Paris (solos: Teresa Stratas, Yvonne Minton, Franz Mazura, Toni Blankenheim) - Berg: Lulu (Complete)
  • Georg Solti conducting the Chicago Symphony - Bruckner: Symphony No. 6 in A Major
  • Michael Tilson Thomas conducting the Buffalo Philharmonic - Ruggles: Complete Music
  • Seiji Ozawa conducting the Boston Symphony (solo: Itzhak Perlman) - Berg: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra; Stravinsky: Concerto in D Major for Violin and Orchestra
  • Zubin Mehta conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic (solo: Pinchas Zukerman) - Bartok: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra

Best Classical Orchestral Recording

  • Georg Solti conducting the Chicago Symphony - Bruckner: Symphony No. 6 in A Major
  • Leonard Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic - Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
  • Leonard Bernstein conducting the Vienna Philharmonic - Beethoven: Symphonies (9)
  • Michael Tilson Thomas conducting the Buffalo Philharmonic - Ruggles: Complete Music
  • Michael Tilson Thomas conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic - Respighi: Feste Romane; Fountains of Rome

Best Classical Performance - Choral

  • Norbet Balatsch, chorus master; Carlo Maria Giulini conducting the Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra - Mozart: Requiem
  • Robert Shaw conducting the Atlanta Symphony Chorus and Orchestra - Boito: Prologue to Mefistofele
  • Thomas Hilbish conducting the University of Michigan Chamber Choir and Chamber Ensemble - Menotti: The Unicorn, the Gorgon and the Manticore
  • Claudio Abbado conducting the London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra - Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky
  • John Oliver, chorus master, Tanglewood Festival Chorus; Seiji Ozawa conducting the Boston Symphony - Schoenberg: Gurrelieder

Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist(s) with Orchestra

  • Itzhak Perlman (Seiji Ozawa conducting the Boston Symphony) - Berg: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra; Stravinsky: Concerto in D Major for Violin and Orchestra
  • Itzhak Perlman, Mstislav Rostropovich (Bernard Haitink conducting the Cocertgebouw Orchestra) - Brahms: Concerto in A Minor for Violin and Cello (Double Concerto)
  • Maurice Andre (Maurice Andre conducting the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra) - Bach for Trumpet
  • Pinchas Zukerman (Zubin Mehta conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic) - Bartok: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
  • James Galway (I Solisti di Zagreb) - Telemann: Concertos in G and C for Flute; Suite in A Minor
  • Gerard Schwarz (Gerard Schwarz conducting the Y Chamber Symphony of New York) - The Classic Trumpet Concertos of Haydn and Hummel

Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist(s) without Orchestra

  • Itzhak Perlman - The Spanish Album
  • Glenn Gould - Bach: Toccatas, Vol. 2
  • Rudolf Serkin - Brahms: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel
  • Leo Smit - Copland: The Complete Music for Solo Piano
  • Joshua Rifkin - Digital Ragtime, Music of Scott Joplin
  • Ruth Laredo - Rachmaninov: Music for Piano, Vol. 7 (Sonatas Nos. 1 and 2)

Best Classical Performance - Vocal Soloist

  • Leontyne Price (Henry Lewis conducting the Philharmonic Orchestra) - Prima Donna, Vol. 5, Great Soprano Arias from Handel to Britten
  • Jessye Norman (Pierre Boulez conducting the New York Philharmonic) - Berg: Der Wein, Concert Aria
  • Judith Blegen (Pierre Boulez, conducting the New York Philharmonic) - Berg: Lulu Suite
  • Frederica von Stade (Andrew Davis conducting the London Symphony) - Mahler: Songs of a Wayfarer and Ruckert Songs
  • Elly Ameling (Jorg Demus, accompanist) - Mozart: Songs
  • Kiri Te Kanawa (Andrew Davis conducting the London Symphony) - R. Strauss: 4 Last Songs and Orchestral Songs

Best Comedy Recording

  • Rodney Dangerfield - No Respect
  • Gilda Radner - Live from New York
  • Monty Python - Contractual Obligation
  • Richard Pryor - Holy Smoke
  • Father Guido Sarducci - Live at St. Douglas Convent

Best Country & Western Instrumental Performance

  • Gilley's Urban Cowboy Band - Orange Blossom Special/Hoedown track from Urban Cowboy
  • Danny Davis & the Nashville Brass - Cotton Eyed Joe
  • Floyd Cramer - Dallas
  • Chet Atkins - Dance with Me
  • Ry Cooder - THE LONG RIDERS Lyrics

Best Country & Western Performance - Duo or Group with Vocal

  • Roy Orbison, Emmylou Harris - That Lovin' You Feelin' Again
  • Tanya Tucker, Glen Campbell - Dream Lover
  • Oak Ridge Boys - Heart of Mine
  • Charlie Daniels Band - In America Lyrics
  • Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers Band - Take Me to Your Lovin' Place

Best Country & Western Song

  • Willie Nelson - On The Road Again Lyrics
  • Bob Morrison, Wanda Mallette, Patti Ryan - Lookin' for Love
  • Bobby Braddock, Curly Putman - He Stopped Loving Her Today
  • Eddie Rabbitt, Even Stevens, David Malloy - Drivin' My Life Away
  • Roger Cook, Sam Hogin - I Believe In You

Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Female

Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Male

Best Engineered Recording

Best Engineered Recording - Classical

  • Pierre Boulez conducting the Orchestre de l'Opera de Paris; solos: Teresa Stratas, Yvonne Minton, Franz Mazura, Toni Blankenheim - Berg: Lulu (Complete)
  • Laurindo Almeida; Elmer Ramsey conducting the Los Angeles Orchestra de Camera - Almeida: First Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra
  • Gerard Schwarz condcuting the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra - Bach: The 6 Brandenburg Concertos
  • Pinchas Zukerman; Zubin Mehta conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic - Bartok: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
  • Itzhak Perlman, Mstislav Rostropovich; Bernard Haitink conducting the Concertgebouw Orchestra - Brahms: Concerto in A Minor for Violin and Cello (Double Concerto)
  • Leonard Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic - Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5

Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording

  • Isaiah Ross, Maxwell Street Jimmy, Big Joe Williams, Son House, Robert Wilkins, Little Brother Montgomery, Sunnyland Slim, Takoma - Rare Blues
  • Blind Willie McTell, Curley Weaver, Buddy Moss, John Edward Memorial Foundation - Atlanta Blues: 1933
  • Chieftains - Boil the Breakfast Early (#9)
  • Eddie Cleanhead Vinson - Kidney Stew is Fine
  • Queen Ida - Queen Ida & the Bon Temps Zydeco Band in New Orleans

Best Gospel Performance - Contemporary or Inspirational

  • Reba Rambo, Dony McGuire, B.J. Thomas, Andrae Crouch, Archers, Walter & Tramaine Hawkins, Cynthia Clawson - The Lord's Prayer
  • Andrae Crouch - It's Gonna Rain
  • Amy Grant - Never Alone
  • Imperials - One More Song for You
  • Michael & Stormie Omartian - The Builder

Best Gospel Performance - Traditional

  • Blackwood Brothers - We Come to Worship
  • Rambos - Crossin' Over
  • Kenneth Copeland - In His Presence
  • Lanny Wolfe Trio - Make a Joyful Noise...
  • Jimmy Swaggart - Worship

Best Inspirational Performance

Best Instrumental Arrangement

  • George Benson - Dinorah, Dinorah
  • Eddie Daniels - Forget the Woman
  • Dave Valentin - Marcosinho
  • Mel Lewis - Skylark
  • Antonio Carlos Jobim - Wave

Best Instrumental Composition

  • John Williams - The Empire Strikes Back
  • Chuck Mangione - Give It All You Got
  • John Williams - Yoda's Theme
  • John Williams - The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)
  • Patrick Williams - An American Concerto

Best Jazz Fusion Performance - Vocal or Instrumental

  • Manhattan Transfer - Birdland Lyrics
  • Pat Metheny - American Garage
  • Patrick Williams - An American Concerto
  • Spyro Gyra - Catching the Sun
  • Earl Klugh - Dream Come True
  • Chuck Mangione - Fun and Games

Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Big Band

  • Count Basie & His Orchestra - On the Road
  • Mel Lewis & the Jazz Orchestra - Bob Brookmeyer, Composer/Arranger
  • Louis Bellson Big Band - Dynamite!
  • Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band - Farewell
  • Bob Florence Big Band - Live at Concerts by the Sea
  • Rob McConnell & the Boss Brass - Present Perfect

Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Group

  • Bill Evans - We Will Meet Again
  • Bobby Shew - Bobby Shew, Outstanding in His Field
  • Hank Jones - I Remember You
  • Nick Brignola - L.A. Bound
  • Heath Brothers - Live at the Public Theatre
  • Phil Woods - The Phil Woods Quartet, Vol. 1

Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Soloist

  • Bill Evans - I Will Say Goodbye
  • Pepper Adams (of the Helen Merrill Sextet) - Chasin' the Bird
  • Jimmy Knapper - Cunningbird
  • Hank Jones - I Remember You
  • Phil Woods - The Phil Woods Quartet, Vol. 1

Best Jazz Vocal Performance - Female

  • Ella Fitzgerald - A Perfect Match/Ella and Basie
  • Helen Merrill - Chasin' the Bird
  • Helen Humes - Helen Humes and the Muse All Stars
  • Sarah Vaughan - Sarah Vaughan: Duke Ellington Song Book One
  • Betty Carter - The Audience with Betty Carter

Best Jazz Vocal Performance - Male

  • George Benson - Moody's Mood
  • Mark Murphy - Satisfaction Guaranteed
  • Slam Stewart - Sidewalks of New York
  • Bill Henderson - Street of Dreams
  • Mel Torme - Torme/A New Album

Best Latin Recording

  • Cal Tjader Sextet - La Onda Va Bien
  • Irakere - Irakere 2
  • Julio Iglesias - Hey Lyrics
  • Ray Barretto - Rican/Struction
  • Tito Puente - Dancemania '80

Best Opera Recording

  • Pierre Boulez conducting the Orchestre de l'Opera de Paris (solos: Teresa Stratas, Yvonne Minton, Franz Mazura, Toni Blankenheim) - Berg: Lulu (Complete)
  • Georg Solti conducting the London Philharmonic (solos: Sylvia Sass, Kolos Kovats) - Bartok: Bluebeard's Castle
  • Herbert von Karajan conducting the Berlin Philharmonic (solos: Frederica von Stade, Richard Stilwell) - Debussy: Pelleas et Melisande
  • James Levine conducting the National Philharmonic, Ambrosian Chorus (solos: Renata Scotto, Alfredo Kraus, Carol Neblett, Sherrill Milnes) - Puccini: La Boheme
  • Julius Rudel conducting the New York City Opera Orchestra and Chorus (solos: Joel Grey, William Neill, Elizabeth Hynes, Jack Harrold, Elaine Bonazzi) - Weill: Silverlake

Best Pop Instrumental Performance

  • Bob James, Earl Klugh - One on One
  • Herb Alpert - Beyond
  • Henry Mancini - Ravel's Belero
  • Doobie Brothers - South Bay Strut track from One Step
  • John Williams, London Symphony Orchestra - Yoda's Theme track from The Empire Strikes Back

Best Recording for Children

  • Doobie Brothers, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Muppets, Al Jarreau, Linda Ronstadt, Wendy Waldman, Libby Titus & Dr. John Livingston Taylor, George Benson & Pauline Wilson, Lucy Simon, Kate Taylo - In Harmony/A Sesame Street Record
  • Sesame Street Muppets - The People in Your Neighborhood
  • Sesame Street Muppets and cast - Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
  • Sesame Street Muppets and cast - Big Bird's Birdtime Stories
  • Sesame Street Muppets and cast - Love

Best Rhythm & Blues Instrumental Performance

Best Rhythm & Blues Song

  • Reggie Lucas, James Mtume - Never Knew Love Like This Before
  • Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers - Upside Down
  • Lee Garrett, Stevie Wonder - Let's Get Serious
  • Leo Graham, Paul Richmond - Shinging Star
  • Rod Temperton - Give Me the Night

Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Duo or Group

Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Female

  • Stephanie Mills - Never Knew Love Like This Before
  • Aretha Franklin - Can't Turn You Loose
  • Minnie Riperton - Love Lives Forever
  • Roberta Flack - Roberta Flack featuring Donny Hathaway
  • Diana Ross - Upside Down Lyrics

Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Male

Best Rock Instrumental Performance

  • Police - Regatta de Blanc track from Regatta de Blanc
  • Dixie Dregs - Dregs of the Earth
  • Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Peter Gunn
  • Pretenders - Space Invader track from Pretenders
  • Jean-Luc Ponty - Beach Girl

Best Soul Gospel Performance - Contemporary

  • Shirley Caesar - Rejoice
  • Kristle Murder - I Can't Let Go
  • Rance Allen Group - I Feel Like Going On
  • Tramaine Hawkins - Tramaine
  • Dynamic Disciples - You Don't Know What God Has Done for Me

Best Soul Gospel Performance - Traditional

  • James Cleveland & the Charles Fold Singers - Lord, Let Me Be an Instrument
  • James Cleveland & the Voices of Cornerstone - A Praying Spirit
  • Gospel Keynotes - Ain't No Stopping Us Now
  • Dorothy Norwood - God Can
  • O'Neal Twins - He Chose Me
  • Albertina Walker with James Cleveland - Please Be Patient with Me

Best Spoken Word, Documentary or Drama Recording

  • Pat Carroll - Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein
  • Mahalia Jackson - I Sing Because I'm Happy, Vols. 1 and 2
  • original cast with narration - Adventures of Luke Skywalker: The Empire Strikes Back
  • Orson Welles - Obediently Yours/Orson Welles
  • Peter Ustinov - A Curb in the Sky (James Thurber)

Classical Producer of the Year

  • Robert Woods
  • John McClure
  • Steven Epstein
  • Paul Myers
  • Andrew Kazdin

Hall of Fame

  • Bert Williams - Nobody
  • Bruno Walter conducting the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with Kathleen Ferrier & Julius Patzak - Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
  • Budapest String Quartet - Beethoven: Quartets for Strings
  • Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Black and Tan Fantasy
  • Judy Garland - Over The Rainbow Lyrics

New Artist

Pop Female Vocalist

Pop Male Vocalist

Pop Vocal Group

Producer of the Year

Record of the Year

Rock Female Vocalist

Rock Male Vocalist

Rock Vocal Group

Song of the Year

Trustees Award

  • Count Basie
  • Aaron Copland

Top Winning Artist

Most Nominated Artist

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