Why I have no use for the Grammys

A lot of people have asked me why I don't review the Grammys.  Any organization that gives Chris Brown awards instead of putting him in jail is not one I take seriously.  I did watch some of it.  Was thrilled by and for Adele.  Poor Brian Wilson didn't seem to know where he was.  As my partner David said, "the only thing missing from that Beach Boy set was their Filipino nurse."  Seems to me all the performers were either under 30 or over 60.  Some of the acts I thought were atrocious -- old and young.  (What the fuck was that thing with Nicki Minaj?)

But the awards themselves?   To me a Grammy is meaningless. Flash-in-the-pans win seven in one year and two years later are out of the business. The same song can win five times in different categories. At least this year I agreed with the winning song.   But to actually care who wins? What's the point?

More money in Clive Davis' pocket?   Whitney Houston was supposed to sing at his pre-Grammy party last Saturday night.  She dies that afternoon and he decides to throw the lavish party ANYWAY.  (He dedicated it to her -- what a touching gesture.)  I guess he figured, "Hey, I already paid for the ice swan."   Kudos to Chaka Kahn who refused to perform at it.

And how about Whitney's record company, Sony?  They immediately jacked up the price on all of Whitney's albums.  I'm supposed to root for them? 

But I digress...

Digital Music News recently posted a list of 54 bands who have never won a Grammy.  Okay, some of these omissions I agree with but still!   How can take an award seriously when Take 6 has won eight and the Doors, Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, and Janis Joplin have won none?  (And honorary lifetime achievement awards after-the-fact don't count.)   Here's the list.  And don't get me started about the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. 



1. The Doors
2. Queen
3. Jimi Hendrix
4. Led Zeppelin*
5. The Who
6. Tupac Shakur
7. Snoop Dogg
8. Bjork
9. Chuck Berry
10. The Grateful Dead
11. Diana Ross
12. Nas
13. The Beach Boys
14. Bob Marley
15. Janis Joplin
16. Buddy Holly
17. Notorious B.I.G.
18. (Eric B. &) Rakim
19. Rush
20. Run D.M.C.
21. Guns n' Roses
22. Boston
23. Sam Cooke
24. Talking Heads
25. The Ramones
26. The Everly Brothers
27. Patti Smith
28. Public Enemy
29. Sly & the Family Stone
30. The Sex Pistols
31. Parliament &/or Funkadelic
32. The O'Jays
33. Creedence Clearwater Revival
34. The Stooges
35. Motley Crue
36. Kiss
37. Deep Purple
38. Journey
39. Jackson Browne
40. The Pretenders
41. Toby Keith
42. New Order
43. Depeche Mode
44. Tiesto
45. The Kinks
46. Morrissey
47. The Smiths
48. ABBA
49. Dusty Springfield
50. Teddy Pendergrass
51. Oasis
52. Curtis Mayfield
53. The Byrds
54. ZZ Top