I wrote recently about 16 brilliant albums that were totally overlooked for an Album of the Year Grammy Award. As I worked through the decades, it became obvious there were several more absolutely stunning classic rock omissions in that category during the early 1970s. Plenty of masterpieces that didn't even make the nominations list.
If you stop and think, it’s perhaps not a complete surprise. There were so many great rock albums at that time. And they can’t all claim a prize. Despite that calm logic, though, when you see some of the albums that missed out, the surprise levels are cranked right back up again.
Let’s take eight shocking examples from the 1970s to illustrate the significant albums that were overlooked. Bear in mind that the awards are held early in the year, and the eligibility period for album releases is typically 12 months before the ceremony. So release and ceremony years don’t always easily match up. Especially in the case of one particular album below.
Eight classic rock albums without a Record of the Year Grammy nomination
We’ll start with the 14th Annual Grammy Awards in 1972. Records released in the period October 1, 1970, to September 30, 1971, were eligible for the Album of the Year Grammy Award. That put these two excellent discs well in contention for a nomination.
The Doors – L.A. Woman (Released April 1971)
Full of blues-backed rock, this was the final album from the Doors featuring Jim Morrison. His death a few months later in July 1971 added a poignant note to the album. Maybe it’s grown more in stature over subsequent years, but it was highly regarded on release and seen as a high point for the band. It could easily have been a Grammy Award contender
The Who - Who’s Next (August 1971)
A landmark fifth album for the Who. Who’s Next has enduring songs that still feature in the latest sets of the band playing live. “Baba O’Riley” is a monumental example of the album’s range of styles. Then there’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” a powerhouse of a song that still rocks hard. What's not to like, unless you are a selector for Grammy nominations?
Naturally, other strong albums did make the grade at the Grammys. Carole King’s brilliant album Tapestry took the 1972 Album of the Year award. But the winner isn’t the point here. The focus is on classic albums, missing out on a nomination.
Those who did get the Grammy nod were Shaft by Isaac Hayes, Jesus Christ Superstar (London production) by various cast artists, the Carpenters’ eponymous album, and that blockbuster post-Beatles triple album box from George Harrison, All Things Must Pass. I reckon the Doors and the Who could and should have replaced a couple of those.
Continued on next page