
About The Show
This is truly the grand-daddy of all awards shows. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences recognizes outstanding musical achievements. The Grammys always prove to be a night of spectacle and performance that truly can't be missed.
Host: John Denver
Date: February 25, 1985
City: Los Angeles
This Year's Performers
The Nominees
Album Of The Year
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Winner: Lionel Richie
Can't Slow Down
- Tina Turner Private Dancer
- Prince and the Revolution Purple Rain
- Bruce Springsteen Born in the USA
- Cyndi Lauper She's So Unusual
Best Album Notes
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Winner:
Paul Whiteman, Fletcher Henderson, Chick Webb, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, others Big Band Jazz - Various Artists Virginia Traditions Work Songs (field recordings 1936-80)
- James Sundquist An Anthology of Sacred Carols for Classical Guitar
- Neville Marriner conducting the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Amadeus (original soundtrack recording)
- Elvis Presley A Golden Celebration
Best Album Of Original Score Written For A Motion Picture Or Television Special
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Winner:
Prince & the Revolution, John L. Nelson, Lisa & Wendy Purple Rain - Ray Parker Jr., Kevin O'Neal, Brian O'Neal, Bobby Alessi, David Immer, Tom Bailey, Graham Russell, David Foster, Jay Graydon, Diane Warren & the Doctor Mick Smiley, Elmer Bernstein Ghostbusters
- Phil Collins, Stevie Nicks, Peter Gabriel, Stuart Adamson, Mike Rutherford, August Darnell, Michel Colombier, Larry Carlton Against All Odds
- Michel Legrand, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman Yentl
- Bill Wolfer, Dean Pitchford, Kenny Loggins, Tom Snow, Sammy Hagar, Michael Gore, Eric Carmen, Jim Steinman Footloose
Best Album Package
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Winner: Cyndi Lauper
She's So Unusual
- Willie Nelson Willie Nelson
- John Waite No Brakes
- John Lennon, Harry Nilsson, Eddie Money, Rosanne Cash, others Every Man Has a Woman
- Andy Summers, Robert Fripp Bewitched
Best Arrangement On An Instrumental
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Winner: Quincy Jones
Grace (Gymnastics Theme) (from The Official Music of the XXIIIrd Olympiad at Los Angeles)
- Don Sebesky Waltz for Debbie
- Wynton Marsalis Stardust
- Stewart Copeland Brothers on Wheels (track from Rumble Fish soundtrack)
- James Galway, Henry Mancini Cameo for Flute ...for James
Best Cast Show Album
- Jimmy McHugh, Arthur Malvin, Dorothy Fields, George Oppenheim, Harold Adamson, music and lyrics Sugar Babies
Best Chamber Music Performance
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Winner:
Juilliard String Quartet Beethoven: The Late String Quartets - Itzhak Perlman, Daniel Barenboim Mozart: Violin Sonatas K. 301-4
- Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Ikwhan Bae, Carol Shive, Karen Dreyfus, Fred Sherry Corea: Lyric Suite for Sextet
- Guarneri Quartet, Pinchas Zukerman Brahms: The String Quintets in F & G
- The Cleveland Quartet with Emanuel Ax Brahms: Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34
Best Choral Performance
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Winner:
Margaret Hillis, choral conductor, Chicago Symphony Chorus; James Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony Brahms: A German Requiem - Riccardo Chailly conducting the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus; Cleveland Orchestra Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky, Op. 78
- Riccardo Chailly conducting the RSO Berlin Chorus; RSO Berlin Orchestra Orff: Carmina Burana
- Christopher Hogwood conducting the Westminster Cathedral Boys' Choir; Chorus and Orchestra of the Academy of Ancient Music Mozart: Requiem
- Simon Rattle conducting the City of Birmingham Orchestra Chorus and Boys of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford; City of Birmingham Symphony Britten: War Requiem
Best Classical Album
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Winner:
Neville Marriner conducting the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields; Ambrosian Opera Chorus; Choristers of Westminster Abbey; soloists Amadeus (soundtrack) - Raymond Leppard conducting the English Chamber Orchestra (solos: Wynton Marsalis, Edita Gruberova) Wynton Marsalis, Edita Gruberova: Handel, Purcell, Torelli, Fasch, Molter
- Leonard Slatkin conducting the St. Louis Symphony Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat, Op. 100
- James Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (solos: Kathleen Battle, Hakan Hagegard) Brahms: A German Requiem
- James Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony (solo: Alfred Brendel) Beethoven: The 5 Piano Concertos
Best Classical Orchestral Recording
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Winner:
Leonard Slatkin conducting the St. Louis Symphony Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat, Op. 100 - Morton Gould conducting the American Symphony Gould: Burchfield Gallery and Apple Waltzes
- Neville Marriener conducting the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Amadeus (soundtrack)
- James Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony Schubert: Symphony No. 9 in C Major (The Great)
- Georg Solti conducting the Chicago Symphony Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G Major
- Claudio Abbado conducting the Chicago Symphony Berlioz: Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14
Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist(s) With Orchestra
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Winner:
Wynton Marsalis, Edita Gruberova (Leppard conducting the English Chamber Orchestra) Wynton Marsalis, Edita Gruberova: Handel, Purcell, Torelli, Fasch, Molter - Itzhak Perlman (Barenboim conducting the Orchestre de Paris) Wieniawski: Violin Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 22; Saint-Saens: Violin Concerto No. 3 in B Minor,
- Julian Bream (Gardiner conducting the Chamber Orchestra of Europe) Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez, Invocation and Dance; 3 Spanish Pieces (Music of Spain, Vol. 8)
- Emanuel Ax (Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony) Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor
- Alfred Brendel (Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony) Beethoven: The 5 Piano Concertos
Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist(s) Without Orchestra
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Winner: Yo Yo Ma
Bach: Unaccompanied Cello Suites
- Alicia de Larrocha Schubert: Piano Sonata in B Flat Major, D. 960
- Glenn Gould R. Strauss: Glenn Gould Play Strauss (Sonata; 5 Pieces, Op. 3)
- Julian Bream Music of Spain, Vol. 7: A Celebration of Andres Segovia
- Emil Gilels Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 29 in B Flat Major, Op. 106 (Hammerklavier)
Best Classical Performance - Vocal Soloist
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Winner:
Jessye Norman, Jose van Dam, Heather Harper (Boulez conducting the members of the Ensemble Intercontemporain and BBC Symphony) Ravel: Songs of Maurice Ravel - Kiri Te Kanawa (Solti conducting the Chicago Symphony) Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G Major, 4th Movement
- Jessye Norman (Maazel conducting the Wiener Philharmonic) Mahler: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor (Resurrection)
- Dame Janet Baker (George Parsons, accompanist) Mahler's Songs of Youth
- Hakan Hagegard, Kathleen Battle (James Levine, accompanist) Brahms: Songs of Brahms
Best Comedy Recording
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Winner: Weird Al Yankovic
Eat It
- Rodney Dangerfield Rappin' Rodney
- Rick Dees Hurt Me Baby, Make Me Write Bad Checks!
- Richard Pryor Here and Now
- Fireside Theatre The 3 Faces of Al (Nick Danger)
Best Country & Western Performance - Duo Or Group With Vocal
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Winner:
Judds (Wynonna & Naomi) Mama He's Crazy - Willie Nelson, Julio Iglesias As Time Goes By
- Barbara Mandrell, Lee Greenwood To Me
- Anne Murray, Dave Loggins Nobody Loves Me Like You Do
- Alabama If You're Gonna Play In Texas (You Gotta Have A Fiddle In The Band)
Best Country & Western Song
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Winner:
Steve Goodman City of New Orleans - Lee Greenwood God Bless The U.S.A.
- Kenny O'Dell Mama He's Crazy
- John David Souther Faithless Love
- Hank Williams Jr. All My Rowdy Friends (are Coming Over Tonight)
Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Female
Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Male
Best Country Instrumental Performance
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Winner: Ricky Skaggs
Wheel Hoss
- Doc & Merle Watson Twin Sisters
- Whites Move It on Over
- Chet Atkins East Tennessee Christmas
- Carlton Moody & the Moody Brothers Cotton-Eyed Joe
Best Engineered Recording
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Winner: Chicago
Chicago XVII
- Thompson Twins Into the Gap
- The Cars Heartbeat City
- Michael Hedges Aerial Boundaries
- Lionel Richie Can't Slow Down
Best Engineered Recording - Classical
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Winner:
Slatkin conducting the St. Louis Symphony Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat, Op. 100 - Leppard conducting the English Chamber Orchestra; solo: Marsalis, Editz, Gruberova Wynton Marsalis, Edita Gruberova: Handel, Purcell, Torelli, Fasch, Molter
- Solti conducting the Chicago Symphony; solo: Te Kanawa Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G Major
- Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony; solo: Ax Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor
- Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus; solo: Battle, Hagegard Brahms: A German Requiem
Best Ethnic Or Traditional Folk Recording
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Winner:
Elizabeth Cotten Elizabeth Cotten Live! - Rocking Dopsie Good Rockin'
- Queen Ida On a Saturday Night
- Boys of the Lough Open Road
- Buckwheat Zydecko 100% Fortified Zydeco
Best Gospel Performance - Duo Or Group
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Winner:
Debby Boone, Phil Driscoll Keep the Flame Burning - Petra Not Of This World
- New Gaither Vocal Band New Point of View
- Steve Camp, Michele Pillar Love's Not a Feeling
- Mylon LeFevre, Broken Heart Live Forever
Best Gospel Performance - Female
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Winner: Amy Grant
Angels
- Debby Boone Surrender
- Sandi Patti Songs from the Heart
- Michele Pillar Look Who Loves You
- Kathy Troccoli Heart and Soul
Best Gospel Performance - Male
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Winner: Michael W. Smith
Michael W. Smith 2
- Steve Taylor Meltdown
- Leon Patillo J.E.S.U.S.
- Bob Bailey I'm Walkin'
- Phil Driscoll Celebrate Freedom
Best Historical Album
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Winner:
Paul Whiteman, Fletcher Henderson, Chick Webb, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, others Big Band Jazz - Various Artists Cotton Club Stars
- Elvis Presley A Golden Celebration
- Various Artists World's First Entertainment Recordings 1889-1896
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt, introducting by Clifton Fadiman History Speaks: Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Best Inspirational Performance
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Winner: Donna Summer
Forgive Me
- Deniece Williams Whiter Than Snow
- Pat Boone What I Believe
- Philip Bailey The Wonders of His Love
- Lisa Whelchel All Because of You
Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s)
Best Instrumental Composition
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Winner: Randy Newman
The Natural
- Wynton Marsalis Hot House Flowers
- Mike Post, Peter Carpenter The A-Team
- John Williams Olympic Fanfare and Theme (from The Official Music of the XXIIIrd Olympiad at Los Angeles)
- Elmer Bernstein Ghostbusters (main title theme)
Best Jazz Fusion Performance - Vocal Or Instrumental
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Winner:
Pat Metheny Group First Circle - Earl Klugh Wishful Thinking
- Miles Davis Decoy
- David Sanborn Backstreet
- Spyro Gyra Access All Areas
Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Big Band
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Winner:
Count Basie & His Orchestra 88 Basie Street - Woody Herman Big Band World Class
- Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra Ten Gallon Shuffle
- Carla Bley Band Misterioso
- Bob Florence Limited Edition Magic Time
Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Group
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Winner:
Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers New York Scene - Clare Fischer Whose Woods Are These
- Frank Foster, Frank Wess Two for the Blues
- Phil Woods, Chris Swansen Piper at the Gates of Dawn
- Philly Joe Jones Dameronia: Look Stop Listen
Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Soloist
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Winner: Wynton Marsalis
Hot House Flowers
- Tommy Flanagan Thelonica
- Zoot Sims Quietly There
- Pepper Adams, Kenny Wheeler Live at Fat Tuesday's
- Ira Sullivan Ira Sullivan ...Does It All
Best Jazz Vocal Performance
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Winner: Joe Williams
Nothin' but the Blues
- Carmen McRae You're Lookin' at Me
- Sue Raney Ridin' High
- Mel Torme An Evening at Charlie's
- Lorez Alexandria Harlem Butterfly
Best Latin Pop Performance
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Winner: Placido Domingo
Always in My Heart (Siempre en Mi Corazon)
- Jose Jose Secretos
- Maria Conchita Maria Conchita
- Menudo Evolucion
- Jose Feliciano Como Tu Quieres
- Johnny Invitame
Best Mexican-american Performance
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Winner:
Sheen Easton, Luis Miguel Me Gustas Tal Como Eres - Yolanda Del Rio Un Amor Especial
- Juan Gabriel Recuerdos II
- Roberto Carlos Concavo y Convexo
- Raphael Eternamente Tuyo
Best New Classical Composition
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Winner:
Samuel Barber Antony and Cleopatra - Vincent Persichetti Winter Cantata
- Morton Gould Apple Waltzes
- Joseph Schwantner Magabunda (4 Poems of Agueda Pizzaro)
- Frank Zappa The Perfect Stranger
Best Opera Recording
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Winner:
Loren Maazel conducting the Orchestre National de France; Choeurs et Maitrise de Radio France (solos: Julia Migenes-Johnson, Faith Esham, Placido Domingo, Ruggero Raimondi) Bizet: Carmen (film soundtrack) - Riccardo Muti conducting the Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala (solos: Placido Domingo, Mirella Freni, Renato Bruson, Nicolai Ghiaurov) Verdi: Ernani
- Colin Davis conducting the members of the Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden (solos: Helen Donath, Heather Harper, Robert Tear) Britten: The Turn of the Screw
- Charles Mackerras conducting the Vienna Philharmonic (solos: Elisabeth Soderstrom, Peter Dvorsky, Wieslav Ochman, Eva Randova) Janacek: Jenufa
- Bernard Haitink conducting the London Philharmonic; Glyndebourne Chorus (solos: Thomas Allen, Carole Vaness, Richard Van Allan, Maria Ewing, Elizabeth Gale, Keith Lewis, John Rawnsley, Dimitri Kavrakos) Mozart: Don Giovanni
Best Pop Instrumental Performance
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Winner: Ray Parker Jr.
Ghostbusters
- Randy Newman The Natural
- Earl Klugh Nightsongs
- Steve Mitchell, Richard Perry, Howie Rice Jump (For My Love)
- Stevie Wonder I Just Called To Say I Love You
Best Recording For Children
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Winner:
Where the Sidewalk Ends Shel Silverstein - Singsational Servants Kids Praise 4
- Flashbeagle Peanuts
- Agapleland at Play with Holly Heart Holly Heart
- film soundtrack The Muppets Take Manhattan
Best Reggae Recording
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Winner: Black Uhuru
Anthem
- Yellowman King Yellowman
- Steel Pulse Steppin' Out
- Peter Tosh Captured Live
- Jimmy Cliff Reggae Night
Best Rhythm & Blues Song
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Winner: Prince
I Feel For You
- Sheila E. Glamorous Life
- Keith Diamond, Billy Ocean Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)
- James Ingram, Michael McDonald, Rod Temperton, Quincy Jones Yah Mo B There
- Bill Wolfer, Dean Pitchford Dancing in the Streets
Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Duo Or Group
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Winner:
James Ingram, Michael McDonald Yah Mo B There - Joyce Kennedy, Jeffrey Osborne The Last Time I Made Love
- Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good to Be True)
- Kashif, Al Jarreau Edgartown Groove
- Shalamar Dancing In The Sheets
Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Female
Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Male
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
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Winner: Yes
Cinema
- Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)
- Lionel Hampton Vibramatic
- Genesis Second Home By The Sea
- Edward Van Halen Donut City
Best Rythm & Blues Instrumental Performance
Best Soul Gospel Performance - Duo Or Group
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Winner:
Shirley Caesar, Al Green Sailin' on the Sea of Your Love - Shirley Caesar, Anne Caesar Price Rejoice
- Richard Smallwood Singers Psalms
- BeBe & CeCe Winans Lord Lift Us Up
- Edwin Hawkins Angels Will Be Singing
Best Soul Gospel Performance - Female
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Winner: Shirley Caesar
Sailin'
- Danniebelle Hall Unmistakably Danniebelle
- Albertina Walker The Impossible Dream
- Kristle Edwards Jesus, Come Lay Your Head on Me
- Tata Vega Oh, It Is Jesus
Best Soul Gospel Performance - Male
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Winner: Andrae Crouch
Always Remember
- Mel Carter Willing
- Al Green Trust in God
- James Cleveland The Prayer
- Jessy Dixon Sanctuary
Best Spoken Word Or Nonmusical Recording
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Winner:
Ben Kingsley The Words of Gandhi - Rev. Jesse Jackson Our Time Has Come
- Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close The Real Thing (Broadway Cast)
- John Lennon, Yoko Ono Heart Play (Unfinished Dialogue)
Best Traditional Blues Recording
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Winner:
John Hammond, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Sugar Blue, Koko Taylor & the Blues Machine, Luther Guitar Junior Johnson, J.B. Hutton & the New Hawks Blues Explosion - Johnny Winter Guitar Slinger
- Joe Turner Kansas City Here I Come
- Bobby Bland You've Got Me Loving You
- Albert King I'm in a Phone Booth, Baby
Best Tropical Latin Performance
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Winner:
Palo Pa Rumba Eddie Palmieri - Y Ahora! Los Socios del Ritmo
- Criollo Willie Colon
- Buscando America Ruben Blades
- Breaking the Ice El Gran Combo
- Bien Sabroso! Poncho Sanchez
Best Video - Short Form
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Winner: David Bowie
David Bowie
- Thomas Dolby Thomas Dolby
- Rubber Rodeo Rubber Rodeo Scenic Views
- Olivia Newton-John Twist Of Fate
- Ashford & Simpson Ashford and Simpson
- Phil Collins Phil Collins
Best Video Album
Best Vocal Arrangement For Two Or More Voices
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Winner: Pointer Sisters
Automatic
- Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes, James Ingram What About Me
- Yes Leave It
- Bobs Helter Skelter
- Chicago Hard Habit To Break
Classical Producer Of The Year
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Winner:
Steven Epstein - Robert E. Woods
- Jay David Saks
- Marc Aubort, Joanna Nickrenz
- Thomas Z. Shepard
Hall Of Fame
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Winner: Stan Kenton And His Orchestra
Artistry in Rhythm
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Winner:
Pablo Casals Bach: Suites for Unaccompanied Cello -
Winner: Jimmie Rodgers
Blue Yodel (T for Texas)
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Winner: Gene Autry
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
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Winner:
Count Basie & His Orchestra April in Paris
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Pop Female Vocalist
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Winner: Tina Turner
What's Love Got To Do With It
- Sheila E. Glamorous Life
- Sheena Easton Strut
- Denise Williams Let's Hear It For the Boy
- Cyndi Lauper Girls Just Want To Have Fun
Pop Male Vocalist
Producer Of The Year
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Winner: David Foster
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Winner:
Lionel Richie, James Anthony Carmichael - Michael Omartian
- Robert John Mutt Lange, Cars
- Prince & the Revolution
Record Of The Year
Rock Female Vocalist
Rock Male Vocalist
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Winner: Bruce Springsteen
Dancing In The Dark
- Elton John Restless
- Billy Idol Rebel Yell
- John Cougar Mellencamp Pink Houses
- David Bowie Blue Jean
Rock Vocal Group
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Winner:
Prince and the Revolution Purple Rain - Van Halen Jump
- The Cars Heartbreak City
- Genesis Genesis
- Yes 90125
Song Of The Year
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Winner:
Graham Lyle, Terry Britten What's Love Got to Do With It? - Stevie Wonder I Just Called To Say I Love You
- Phil Collins Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)
- Lionel Richie Hello
- Cyndi Lauper, Rob Hyman Time After Time
Trustees Award
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Winner:
Eldridge R. Johnson




