Broken Record

Book excerpt: Broken Record is the first book ever written about the intriguing, checkered, and often hilarious history of the Grammys. In 1958, a group of record executives, alarmed by the explosive success of rock 'n' roll - and the threat rock posed to "quality" pop - launched the Grammy Awards. Their aim: to cultivate a higher standard of popular taste. From the start, the Grammys have been at odds with and often scornful of not only rock but every other wave of rebellious, street-bred music, from R&B to Woodstock, new wave, and rap. Conservative Grammy voting has led to a long list of follies. Many, if not most, of the best recordings of the last thirty years have failed to win a Grammy, including seminal records by Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Marvin Gaye, Bruce Springsteen, John Coltrane, Merle Haggard, and many, many others. Grammy voters, meanwhile, have lavished awards on the likes of Glen Campbell, Toto, Christopher Cross, and Milli Vanilli. In 1965, the Beatles lost to the Anita Kerr Singers for the Best Pop Vocal Prize. Of course, there have been some shining moments as well - moments which this book recounts: stirring performances, deserving winners, poignant acceptance speeches. Here, after more than three decades of Grammys, Broken Record presents a complete history, with year-to-year highlights, backstage drama, and profiles of dozens of artists. Includes a complete listing of all the Grammy winners.