Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance
Awarded forQuality instrumental rock performances
CountryUnited States
Presented byNational Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
First awarded1980
Last awarded2011
Currently held byJeff Beck, "Hammerhead" (2011)
Websitegrammy.com

The Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance was an honor presented to recording artists for quality instrumental rock performances at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards.[1] Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".[2]

The award was first presented at the 22nd Grammy Awards in 1980 to Paul McCartney and the band Wings for "Rockestra Theme". From 1986 to 1989, the category was known as Best Rock Instrumental Performance (Orchestra, Group or Soloist). According to the category description guide for the 52nd Grammy Awards, the award is presented to artists "for newly recorded rock, hard rock or metal instrumental performances".[3]

As of 2023, Jeff Beck holds the records for the most wins, with six. Sting has received three awards, twice as a member of The Police—although he had no part in the band's "Behind My Camel", the 1982 award winner which he did not write and on which he refused to play.[4]

Two-time recipients include Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana (once as a member of the band Santana), The Flaming Lips, Steve Vai, and brothers Jimmie Vaughan and Stevie Ray Vaughan (each once as part of the duo Vaughan Brothers). At the 51st Grammy Awards (2009), the tribute act Zappa Plays Zappa (led by Dweezil Zappa, son of Frank Zappa) earned an award for their performance of Frank's instrumental song "Peaches en Regalia".[5] Dweezil and Frank have both received multiple nominations and even competed against one another in 1988. Joe Satriani holds the record for the most nominations (as well as the record for the most nominations without a win), with fourteen.

The award was discontinued before the 2012 awards due to a major overhaul of Grammy categories. All instrumental performances in the rock category were shifted to either the newly formed Best Rock Performance or Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance categories.

Recipients

A man in the forefront is playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone stand; a woman is behind microphone stand in the background.
Paul McCartney with fellow Wings member Linda McCartney in 1976
A man in a white shirt standing behind a microphone stand and holding a guitar
Three-time award recipient Sting (twice as a member of The Police) performing in 2007
Five men performing on a stage; two are standing behind microphone stands and holding guitars, one is holding a microphone, one is standing behind a keyboard set, and the one furthest back on the stage is sitting behind a drum kit. Lights shine down from above, illuminating a multi-colored stage with geometric shapes.
Members of the 1985 award-winning band Yes performing in 1977
A man wearing a sleeveless white shirt holding a white guitar
Six-time award winner Jeff Beck performing in Sydney, Australia in 2009
Black and white image of a man with shoulder-length hair and facial hair.
1988 award recipient Frank Zappa in 1977
A man wearing a green shirt and hat, looking down and playing a guitar.
Two-time award winner Carlos Santana (once as the leader of the band Santana) performing in 2000
Head shot of a man wearing a brown-striped shirt
Eric Johnson, 1992 award winner, in 2007
A man wearing black clothing and a chain necklace, holding an electric guitar
Two-time award winner Steve Vai in 2005
A man on a stage wearing blue jeans, a black shirt and eyeglasses. He is holding a black guitar, and part of a drum set and other audio and stage equipment can be seen in the background.
Two-time award recipient Eric Clapton performing in 2008
A man standing behind a microphone stand; a blue light is shining on him and a colorful, picturesque effect appears in the background.
Wayne Coyne of the two-time award-winning band The Flaming Lips performing in 2004
Black and white image of a man behind a microphone stand holding a guitar; in the background is a man at a piano
2006 award winner Les Paul in 2008
A man in dark clothing standing on a stage while holding a guitar in front of a crowd. Behind him is a man with his arm raised, holding a drum stick and sitting behind a drum set.
2008 award winner Bruce Springsteen performing in 2008
Year[I] Performing artist(s) Work Nominees Ref.
1980 Wings "Rockestra Theme" [6]
1981 The Police "Reggatta de Blanc" [7]
1982 The Police "Behind My Camel" [8]
1983 A Flock of Seagulls "D.N.A." [9]
1984 Sting "Brimstone & Treacle" [10]
1985 Yes "Cinema" [11]
1986 Jeff Beck "Escape" [12]
1987 Art of Noise featuring Duane Eddy "Peter Gunn" [13]
1988 Frank Zappa Jazz from Hell [14]
1989 Carlos Santana Blues for Salvador [15]
1990 Jeff Beck Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop [16]
1991 Jimmie Vaughan & Stevie Ray Vaughan "D/FW" [17]
1992 Eric Johnson "Cliffs of Dover" [18]
1993 Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble "Little Wing" [19]
1994 Steve Vai "Sofa" [20]
1995 Pink Floyd "Marooned" [21]
1996 The Allman Brothers Band "Jessica" [22]
1997 Jimmie Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Dr. John & Art Neville "SRV Shuffle" [23]
1998 The Chemical Brothers "Block Rockin' Beats" [24]
1999 Pat Metheny Group "The Roots of Coincidence" [25]
2000 Santana featuring Eric Clapton "The Calling" [26]
2001 Metallica with the San Francisco Symphony "The Call of Ktulu" [27]
2002 Jeff Beck "Dirty Mind" [28]
2003 The Flaming Lips "Approaching Pavonis Mons by Balloon (Utopia Planitia)" [29]
2004 Jeff Beck "Plan B" [30]
2005 Brian Wilson "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow" [31]
2006 Les Paul & Friends "69 Freedom Special" [32]
2007 The Flaming Lips "The Wizard Turns On..." [33]
2008 Bruce Springsteen "Once Upon a Time in the West" [34]
2009 Zappa Plays Zappa featuring Steve Vai & Napoleon Murphy Brock "Peaches en Regalia" [35]
2010 Jeff Beck "A Day in the Life" [36]
2011 Jeff Beck "Hammerhead" [37]

^[I] Each year is linked to the article about the Grammy Awards held that year.

See also

References

General

  • "Grammy Award Winners". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on January 24, 2010. Retrieved December 19, 2010. Note: User must select the "Rock" category as the genre under the search feature.
  • "Grammy Awards: Best Rock Instrumental Performance". Rock on the Net. Retrieved December 19, 2010.

Specific

  1. ^ "Grammy Awards at a Glance". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  2. ^ "Overview". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on October 27, 2009. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  3. ^ "52nd OEP Category Description Guide" (PDF). National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 27, 2009. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  4. ^ Garbarini, Vic (Spring 2000). "I think if we came back..." Archived 2018-08-30 at the Wayback Machine, Revolver.
  5. ^ D'Andrea, Niki (February 26, 2009). "Zappa Plays Zappa Stays True to Frank's Vision". Phoenix New Times. Village Voice Media. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  6. ^ "22nd Grammy Awards". Rock on the Net. Archived from the original on May 29, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  7. ^ "23rd Grammy Awards". Rock on the Net. Archived from the original on November 9, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  8. ^ "24th Annual Grammy Awards Final Nominations". Billboard. Vol. 94, no. 3. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. January 23, 1982. p. 90. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  9. ^ "25th Annual Grammy Award Final Nominations". Billboard. Vol. 95, no. 3. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. January 22, 1983. p. 87. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  10. ^ "26th Grammy Awards – 1984". Rock on the Net. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  11. ^ "27th Annual Grammy Awards Final Nominations". Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 4. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. January 26, 1985. p. 78. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  12. ^ "28th Grammy Awards – 1986". Rock on the Net. Archived from the original on January 31, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  13. ^ "29th Grammy Awards – 1987". Rock on the Net. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  14. ^ Boehm, Mike (February 25, 1988). "Grammy Nomination Carries Dick Dale on Another Wave of Success". Los Angeles Times. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  15. ^ Hunt, Dennis (January 13, 1989). "Chapman, McFerrin Lead Grammy Race: Baker, Sting, Michael, Winwood Also Capture Multiple Nominations". Los Angeles Times. p. 4. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  16. ^ Hunt, Dennis; Cromelin, Richard (January 12, 1990). "The Grammys, Round 1: Pop Music: Rock 'n' roll veterans lead pack of recording industry awards nominees". Los Angeles Times. p. 4. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  17. ^ Cromelin, Richard; Hunt, Dennis (January 11, 1991). "Grammys--Round 1: Pop music: Phil Collins' 8 nominations lead the pack and Quincy Jones sets a record with his 74th nod. The winners will be revealed on Feb. 20". Los Angeles Times. p. 4. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  18. ^ "Grammy Nominations Span Streisand, Seal, Seattle Symphony". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. January 8, 1992. Archived from the original on September 26, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  19. ^ "Clapton Tops List Of Grammy Nominations". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. January 7, 1993. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  20. ^ "Grammy Nominations". The Baltimore Sun. Tribune Company. January 7, 1994. p. 2. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  21. ^ "The 37th Grammy Nominations". Los Angeles Times. January 6, 1995. p. 2. Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  22. ^ "The 38th Annual Grammy Nominations: The Complete List of Nominees". Los Angeles Times. January 5, 1996. p. 2. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  23. ^ Kot, Greg (January 8, 1997). "Pumpkins A Smash With 7 Grammy Nominations". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. p. 4. Archived from the original on September 21, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  24. ^ "Complete list of Grammy nominations". USA Today. Gannett Company. March 5, 1999. Archived from the original on February 10, 1999. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  25. ^ Sullivan, James (January 6, 1999). "Women Dominate Grammys / Lauryn Hill leads with 10 nominations". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Corporation. p. 4. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  26. ^ "The Nominees for the Grammy Awards". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Corporation. January 5, 2000. p. 2. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  27. ^ Boucher, Geoff (January 4, 2001). "Grammys Cast a Wider Net Than Usual". Los Angeles Times. p. 5. Archived from the original on May 14, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  28. ^ "Complete list of Grammy nominations". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. January 4, 2002. Archived from the original on December 4, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  29. ^ "Complete list of Grammy nominees; ceremony set for Feb. 23". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Corporation. January 8, 2003. p. 2. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  30. ^ "Complete list of Grammy nominations". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. December 5, 2003. Archived from the original on December 4, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  31. ^ "Fast Facts: List of Grammy Nominees". Fox News Channel. February 13, 2005. Archived from the original on 2011-01-31. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  32. ^ "Complete List Of Grammy Nominees". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Corporation. December 9, 2005. p. 2. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  33. ^ "49th Annual GRAMMY Nominees". CBS News. December 7, 2006. Archived from the original on January 31, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  34. ^ "The Complete List of Grammy Nominees". The New York Times. December 6, 2007. Archived from the original on December 7, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  35. ^ Rich, Joshua (December 4, 2008). "Grammy nominations announced!". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Archived from the original on July 15, 2010. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  36. ^ "Grammy Awards: List of Winners". The New York Times. January 31, 2010. Archived from the original on February 6, 2010. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  37. ^ "Grammy Awards 2011: Complete nominees for 53rd Grammy Awards". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 17, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2011.

External links

Grammy Awards
Grammy Award categories
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