1985 Grammy Awards
Details & Performances
- Host: John Denver
- Venue: Shrine Auditorium
- City: Los Angeles
- Date: February 26, 1985
Awards
Album of the Year
Best Album Notes
- Paul Whiteman, Fletcher Henderson, Chick Webb, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, others - Big Band Jazz
- Elvis Presley - A Golden Celebration
- Neville Marriner conducting the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields - Amadeus (original soundtrack recording)
- James Sundquist - An Anthology of Sacred Carols for Classical Guitar
- various artists - Virginia Traditions Work Songs (field recordings 1936-80)
Best Album of Original Score written for a Motion Picture or Television Special
- Prince & the Revolution, John L. Nelson, Lisa & Wendy - Purple Rain
- Bill Wolfer, Dean Pitchford, Kenny Loggins, Tom Snow, Sammy Hagar, Michael Gore, Eric Carmen, Jim Steinman - Footloose
- Michel Legrand, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman - Yentl
- Phil Collins, Stevie Nicks, Peter Gabriel, Stuart Adamson, Mike Rutherford, August Darnell, Michel Colombier, Larry Carlton - Against All Odds
- 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
Best Album Package
- Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual Lyrics
- Andy Summers, Robert Fripp - Bewitched
- John Lennon, Harry Nilsson, Eddie Money, Rosanne Cash, others - Every Man Has a Woman
- John Waite - No Brakes
- Willie Nelson - Willie Nelson
Best Arrangement on an Instrumental
- Quincy Jones - Grace (Gymnastics Theme) (from The Official Music of the XXIIIrd Olympiad at Los Angeles)
- Stewart Copeland - Brothers on Wheels (track from Rumble Fish soundtrack)
- James Galway, Henry Mancini - Cameo for Flute ...for James
- Wynton Marsalis - Stardust
- Don Sebesky - Waltz for Debbie
Best Cast Show Album
- Jimmy McHugh, Arthur Malvin, Dorothy Fields, George Oppenheim, Harold Adamson, music and lyrics - Sugar Babies
Best Chamber Music Performance
- Juilliard String Quartet - Beethoven: The Late String Quartets
- The Cleveland Quartet with Emanuel Ax - Brahms: Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34
- Guarneri Quartet, Pinchas Zukerman - Brahms: The String Quintets in F & G
- Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Ikwhan Bae, Carol Shive, Karen Dreyfus, Fred Sherry - Corea: Lyric Suite for Sextet
- Itzhak Perlman, Daniel Barenboim - Mozart: Violin Sonatas K. 301-4
Best Choral Performance
- Margaret Hillis, choral conductor, Chicago Symphony Chorus; James Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony - Brahms: A German Requiem
- Simon Rattle conducting the City of Birmingham Orchestra Chorus and Boys of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford; City of Birmingham Symphony - Britten: War Requiem
- Christopher Hogwood conducting the Westminster Cathedral Boys' Choir; Chorus and Orchestra of the Academy of Ancient Music - Mozart: Requiem
- Riccardo Chailly conducting the RSO Berlin Chorus; RSO Berlin Orchestra - Orff: Carmina Burana
- Riccardo Chailly conducting the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus; Cleveland Orchestra - Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky, Op. 78
Best Classical Album
- Neville Marriner conducting the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields; Ambrosian Opera Chorus; Choristers of Westminster Abbey; soloists - Amadeus (soundtrack)
- James Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony (solo: Alfred Brendel) - Beethoven: The 5 Piano Concertos
- James Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (solos: Kathleen Battle, Hakan Hagegard) - Brahms: A German Requiem
- Leonard Slatkin conducting the St. Louis Symphony - Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat, Op. 100
- Raymond Leppard conducting the English Chamber Orchestra (solos: Wynton Marsalis, Edita Gruberova) - Wynton Marsalis, Edita Gruberova: Handel, Purcell, Torelli, Fasch, Molter
Best Classical Orchestral Recording
- Leonard Slatkin conducting the St. Louis Symphony - Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat, Op. 100
- Claudio Abbado conducting the Chicago Symphony - Berlioz: Symphony Fantastique, Op. 14
- Georg Solti conducting the Chicago Symphony - Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G Major
- James Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony - Schubert: Symphony No. 9 in C Major (The Great)
- 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)
Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist(s) with Orchestra
- Wynton Marsalis, Edita Gruberova (Leppard conducting the English Chamber Orchestra) - Wynton Marsalis, Edita Gruberova: Handel, Purcell, Torelli, Fasch, Molter
- Alfred Brendel (Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony) - Beethoven: The 5 Piano Concertos
- Emanuel Ax (Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony) - Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D 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)
- 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,
Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist(s) without Orchestra
- Yo-Yo Ma - Bach: Unaccompanied Cello Suites
- Emil Gilels - Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 29 in B Flat Major, Op. 106 (Hammerklavier)
- Julian Bream - Music of Spain, Vol. 7: A Celebration of Andres Segovia
- Glenn Gould - R. Strauss: Glenn Gould Play Strauss (Sonata; 5 Pieces, Op. 3)
- Alicia de Larrocha - Schubert: Piano Sonata in B Flat Major, D. 960
Best Classical Performance - Vocal Soloist
- Jessye Norman, Jose van Dam, Heather Harper (Boulez conducting the members of the Ensemble Intercontemporain and BBC Symphony) - Ravel: Songs of Maurice Ravel
- Hakan Hagegard, Kathleen Battle (James Levine, accompanist) - Brahms: Songs of Brahms
- Dame Janet Baker (George Parsons, accompanist) - Mahler's Songs of Youth
- Jessye Norman (Maazel conducting the Wiener Philharmonic) - Mahler: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor (Resurrection)
- Kiri Te Kanawa (Solti conducting the Chicago Symphony) - Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G Major, 4th Movement
Best Comedy Recording
- Weird Al Yankovic - Eat It Lyrics
- Fireside Theatre - The 3 Faces of Al (Nick Danger)
- Richard Pryor - Here and Now
- Rick Dees - Hurt Me Baby, Make Me Write Bad Checks!
- Rodney Dangerfield - Rappin' Rodney
Best Country & Western Performance - Duo or Group with Vocal
Best Country & Western Song
Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Female
Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Male
Best Country Instrumental Performance
- Ricky Skaggs - Wheel Hoss
- Carlton Moody & the Moody Brothers - Cotton-Eyed Joe
- Chet Atkins - East Tennessee Christmas
- Whites - Move It on Over
- Doc & Merle Watson - Twin Sisters
Best Engineered Recording
Best Engineered Recording - Classical
- Slatkin conducting the St. Louis Symphony - Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat, Op. 100
- Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus; solo: Battle, Hagegard - Brahms: A German Requiem
- Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony; solo: Ax - Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor
- Solti conducting the Chicago Symphony; solo: Te Kanawa - Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G Major
- Leppard conducting the English Chamber Orchestra; solo: Marsalis, Editz, Gruberova - Wynton Marsalis, Edita Gruberova: Handel, Purcell, Torelli, Fasch, Molter
Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording
- Elizabeth Cotten - Elizabeth Cotten Live!
- Boys of the Lough - Open Road
- Buckwheat Zydecko - 100% Fortified Zydeco
- Queen Ida - On a Saturday Night
- Rocking Dopsie - Good Rockin'
Best Gospel Performance - Duo or Group
- Debby Boone, Phil Driscoll - Keep the Flame Burning
- Mylon LeFevre, Broken Heart - Live Forever
- Steve Camp, Michele Pillar - Love's Not a Feeling
- New Gaither Vocal Band - New Point of View
- Petra - Not Of This World Lyrics
Best Gospel Performance - Female
- Amy Grant - Angels Lyrics
- Kathy Troccoli - Heart and Soul
- Michele Pillar - Look Who Loves You
- Sandi Patti - Songs from the Heart
- Debby Boone - Surrender
Best Gospel Performance - Male
- Michael W. Smith - Michael W. Smith 2
- Phil Driscoll - Celebrate Freedom
- Bob Bailey - I'm Walkin'
- Leon Patillo - J.E.S.U.S.
- Steve Taylor - Meltdown
Best Historical Album
- Paul Whiteman, Fletcher Henderson, Chick Webb, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, others - Big Band Jazz
- various artists - World's First Entertainment Recordings 1889-1896
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt, introducting by Clifton Fadiman - History Speaks: Franklin Delano Roosevelt
- Elvis Presley - A Golden Celebration
- various artists - Cotton Club Stars
Best Inspirational Performance
- Donna Summer - Forgive Me Lyrics
- Lisa Whelchel - All Because of You
- Philip Bailey - The Wonders of His Love
- Pat Boone - What I Believe
- Deniece Williams - Whiter Than Snow
Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s)
Best Instrumental Composition
- Randy Newman - The Natural
- Elmer Bernstein - Ghostbusters (main title theme)
- John Williams - Olympic Fanfare and Theme (from The Official Music of the XXIIIrd Olympiad at Los Angeles)
- Mike Post, Peter Carpenter - The A-Team
- Wynton Marsalis - Hot House Flowers
Best Jazz Fusion Performance - Vocal or Instrumental
- Pat Metheny Group - First Circle
- Spyro Gyra - Access All Areas
- David Sanborn - Backstreet
- Miles Davis - Decoy
- Earl Klugh - Wishful Thinking
Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Big Band
- Count Basie & His Orchestra - 88 Basie Street
- Bob Florence Limited Edition - Magic Time
- Carla Bley Band - Misterioso
- Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra - Ten Gallon Shuffle
- Woody Herman Big Band - World Class
Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Group
- Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers - New York Scene
- Philly Joe Jones - Dameronia: Look Stop Listen
- Phil Woods, Chris Swansen - Piper at the Gates of Dawn
- Frank Foster, Frank Wess - Two for the Blues
- Clare Fischer - Whose Woods Are These
Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Soloist
- Wynton Marsalis - Hot House Flowers
- Ira Sullivan - Ira Sullivan ...Does It All
- Pepper Adams, Kenny Wheeler - Live at Fat Tuesday's
- Zoot Sims - Quietly There
- Tommy Flanagan - Thelonica
Best Jazz Vocal Performance
- Joe Williams - Nothin' but the Blues
- Mel Torme - An Evening at Charlie's
- Lorez Alexandria - Harlem Butterfly
- Sue Raney - Ridin' High
- Carmen McRae - You're Lookin' at Me
Best Latin Pop Performance
- Placido Domingo - Always in My Heart (Siempre en Mi Corazon)
- Jose Feliciano - Como Tu Quieres
- Menudo - Evolucion
- Johnny - Invitame
- Maria Conchita - Maria Conchita
- Jose Jose - Secretos
Best Mexican-American Performance
- Sheen Easton, Luis Miguel - Me Gustas Tal Como Eres
- Roberto Carlos - Concavo y Convexo
- Raphael - Eternamente Tuyo
- Juan Gabriel - Recuerdos II
- Yolanda Del Rio - Un Amor Especial
Best New Classical Composition
- Samuel Barber - Antony and Cleopatra
- Frank Zappa - The Perfect Stranger
- Joseph Schwantner - Magabunda (4 Poems of Agueda Pizzaro)
- Morton Gould - Apple Waltzes
- Vincent Persichetti - Winter Cantata
Best Opera Recording
- 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)
- 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
- Charles Mackerras conducting the Vienna Philharmonic (solos: Elisabeth Soderstrom, Peter Dvorsky, Wieslav Ochman, Eva Randova) - Janacek: Jenufa
- 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
- Riccardo Muti conducting the Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala (solos: Placido Domingo, Mirella Freni, Renato Bruson, Nicolai Ghiaurov) - Verdi: Ernani
Best Pop Instrumental Performance
Best Recording for Children
- Where the Sidewalk Ends - Shel Silverstein
- film soundtrack - The Muppets Take Manhattan
- Agapleland at Play with Holly Heart - Holly Heart
- Flashbeagle - Peanuts
- Singsational Servants - Kids Praise 4
Best Reggae Recording
Best Rhythm & Blues Song
Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Duo or Group
- James Ingram, Michael McDonald - Yah Mo B There
- Shalamar - Dancing In The Sheets Lyrics
- Kashif, Al Jarreau - Edgartown Groove
- Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson - Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good to Be True)
- Joyce Kennedy, Jeffrey Osborne - The Last Time I Made Love
Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Female
Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Male
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
Best Rythm & Blues Instrumental Performance
- Herbie Hancock - Sound-System
- Crusaders - Ghetto Blaster
- Grover Washington Jr. - Inside Moves
- Sheila E. - Strawberry Strawcake
- Stanley Clarke - Time Exposure
Best Soul Gospel Performance - Duo or Group
- Shirley Caesar, Al Green - Sailin' on the Sea of Your Love
- Edwin Hawkins - Angels Will Be Singing
- BeBe & CeCe Winans - Lord Lift Us Up
- Richard Smallwood Singers - Psalms
- Shirley Caesar, Anne Caesar Price - Rejoice
Best Soul Gospel Performance - Female
- Shirley Caesar - Sailin'
- Kristle Edwards - Jesus, Come Lay Your Head on Me
- Tata Vega - Oh, It Is Jesus
- Albertina Walker - The Impossible Dream
- Danniebelle Hall - Unmistakably Danniebelle
Best Soul Gospel Performance - Male
- Andrae Crouch - Always Remember
- Jessy Dixon - Sanctuary
- James Cleveland - The Prayer
- Al Green - Trust in God
- Mel Carter - Willing
Best Spoken Word or Nonmusical Recording
- Ben Kingsley - The Words of Gandhi
- Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close - The Real Thing (Broadway Cast)
- John Lennon, Yoko Ono - Heart Play (Unfinished Dialogue)
- Rev. Jesse Jackson - Our Time Has Come
Best Traditional Blues Recording
- 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
- Albert King - I'm in a Phone Booth, Baby
- Bobby Bland - You've Got Me Loving You
- Joe Turner - Kansas City Here I Come
- Johnny Winter - Guitar Slinger
Best Tropical Latin Performance
- Palo Pa Rumba - Eddie Palmieri
- Bien Sabroso! - Poncho Sanchez
- Breaking the Ice - El Gran Combo
- Buscando America - Ruben Blades
- Criollo - Willie Colon
- Y Ahora! - Los Socios del Ritmo
Best Video - Short Form
Best Video Album
- Michael Jackson - Making Michael Jackson's Thriller
- Billy Joel - Billy Joel Live from Long Island
- The Cars - Heartbeat City Lyrics
- David Bowie - Serious Moonlight
- Devo - We're All Devo
- Eurythmics - Eurythmics Sweet Dreams
Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices
Classical Producer of the Year
- Steven Epstein
- Thomas Z. Shepard
- Marc Aubort, Joanna Nickrenz
- Jay David Saks
- Robert E. Woods
Hall of Fame
- Count Basie & His Orchestra - April in Paris
- Gene Autry - Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Jimmie Rodgers - Blue Yodel (T for Texas)
- Pablo Casals - Bach: Suites for Unaccompanied Cello
- Stan Kenton & His Orchestra - Artistry in Rhythm
Lifetime Achievement Awards
New Artist
Pop Female Vocalist
Pop Male Vocalist
Pop Vocal Group
Producer of the Year
- Lionel Richie, James Anthony Carmichael
- David Foster Lyrics
- Prince & the Revolution
- Robert John Mutt Lange, Cars
- Michael Omartian
Record of the Year
Rock Female Vocalist
Rock Male Vocalist
