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Grammy-less greats: 5 surprising artists without a win

BBG News

For more than six decades, the Grammy Awards have been celebrated as the most significant night in music, bringing together musicians, industry professionals, producers, and enthusiasts to acknowledge the year’s top performers. The first ceremony was held in 1958, with only 28 award categories, but it has since grown to encompass 94 different categories, providing a broader platform for diverse artists to receive well-deserved recognition.

Regardless of the numerous award categories, several musicians haven’t bagged the highest accolades in their genres, and they often miss out on praise and acknowledgement from music critics and industry experts that they truly merit.

Music, being a matter of personal preference, naturally results in various genres and styles having overlooked gems each year due to the abundance of high-quality singles and albums that get released.

5 surprising artists without a Grammy win

No. 5- The Beach Boys

Whenever you consider surf rock music, there’s one group that instantly springs to mind: The Beach Boys. This iconic band from the ’60s is renowned for their timeless tunes like “Surfin’ U.S.A.”, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “God Only Knows”, and “Good Vibrations”.

Regardless of having sold more than 100 million records and receiving 33 RIAA Platinum and Gold certifications, The Beach Boys remain unscathed by Grammy Awards. They’ve been recognized four times, with three nominations in 1966 for Good Vibrations alone.

Despite not winning music’s top prize, they were honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001, demonstrating the immense influence they’ve had on the music industry throughout their career.

No. 4- Journey

Established about half a century ago in the year 1974, Journey has been responsible for creating numerous anthems that are sure to ring a bell, such as “Don’t Stop Believin'”, “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”, “Wheel In the Sky”, and “Open Arms”.

Back in the day, I was all about the progressive rock vibe with Journey, but everything changed for me in 1977 when they brought on Steve Perry and switched up their style to a softer, pop-rock groove. That’s when they really hit the mainstream!

Between 1978 and 1987, during Perry’s first term, Journey produced a series of highly-praised albums, such as “Infinity”, “Escape”, and “Frontiers”. It was unexpected to many that Journey only got one Grammy nomination in 1996. The song “When You Love a Woman” was nominated for the Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal category.

As of 2025, they have not received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy either.

No. 3- Queen

From 1970 to 1991, Queen made a massive mark in the music scene, rising to become one of the most influential stadium rock bands globally. Their album sales exceeded 300 million units.

Each individual – Roger Taylor, Freddie Mercury, Brian May, and John Deacon – has received recognition by being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, highlighting their exceptional talent in creating memorable musical pieces.

Over a span of 15 studio albums, Queen became well-known for many major hits, including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” and “Under Pressure.” Among these hits, they received a total of four Grammy nominations. Their last nomination was in 1980, for the song “Another One Bites the Dust.

Although they didn’t win any significant categories, they were ultimately bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018, an award that was long overdue.

No. 2- Guns N’ Roses

Back in 1987, one of the most heated, contentious, and influential bands ever, Guns N’ Roses, made their grand entrance onto the music scene with their groundbreaking debut album “Appetite for Destruction”, which is among the top-selling records worldwide.

During an era when hair metal and glam rock ruled the airwaves, Appetite for Destruction resurfaced raw edge and menace in popular music, with tracks like “Welcome to the Jungle”, “It’s So Easy”, and “Paradise City” leading the charge.

Their collection of music spans a wide range, featuring everything from heartfelt power ballads like “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “November Rain,” to more experimental tracks such as “Chinese Democracy,” “Oh My God,” and “Shackler’s Revenge.” Additionally, they have songs that hark back to their early days, like “You Could Be Mine,” “Civil War,” and “Double Talkin’ Jive,” which remind us of their Appetite for Destruction roots.

Today, the band maintains its popularity and significance, consistently filling stadiums and arenas globally with Slash and Duff McKagan rejoining the lineup. So far, they’ve earned three nominations, all in the Best Hard Rock Performance category, but have yet to win a major prize.

No. 1- The Who

Known by the Guinness World Records as the loudest rock band ever, due to their 1976 performance in London, The Who have been captivating fans for more than six decades. Their discography boasts timeless hits like “Baba O’Riley,” “Who Are You,” “My Generation,” and “Behind Blue Eyes,” among others.

Together with the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, The Who were a significant part of the British Invasion, a period when British bands made a major impact on the American music scene. They influenced numerous rock, punk, and metal musicians who emerged afterwards, such as Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, and the Ramones. In 1990, they earned their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during their first year of eligibility.

Although The Who are renowned for their massive and boisterous stature within the music world, they’ve only been nominated for two Grammy Awards, both in the Long Form Music Video category. Similar to The Beach Boys, they were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.

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2025-05-17 20:00

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