Frank Sinatra was the odds-on favorite to be the big winner at the inaugural Grammy Awards in 1959, but — perhaps as an early indicator that things wouldn’t always go to plan at the Grammys — ‘Ol Blue Eyes lost out on both Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
The music industry’s most recognized awards were established in 1958 by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in the United States.
The first Grammy ceremony was held on May 4, 1959, with only 28 categories, a number that since has swelled past 100 and now settled at 91. It was attended by many of music’s elite. Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Gene Autry, Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini and André Previn gathered for a black-tie dinner and awards presentation inside the Grand Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton.
While Sinatra led all nominees with a grand total of six, he would not turn out to be the night’s biggest winner. Instead, the very first Record of the Year and Song of the Year awards both went to “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)” by Domenico Modugno, and Album of the Year went to The Music from Peter Gunn by Henry Mancini.
Over the years, the number of categories has increased to reflect the evolution of the music industry and the growth of new genres. In the early years, the categories were limited to pop, classical and jazz but expanded over time to broader genres of music that included rock, R&B, country, hip-hop and world music.
Throughout its history, the Grammys’ Album of the Year prize has gone to many of the biggest names in music, including Sinatra, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Carole King, Tony Bennett, Fleetwood Mac, Paul Simon, the Bee Gees, Whitney Houston, U2, Quincy Jones, Eric Clapton, Adele, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and Billie Eilish.
Four of those — Sinatra, Wonder, Simon and Swift — have won a record three Album of the Year awards. One of Simon’s was with Simon & Garfunkel.
Scroll through the gallery to reminisce or to discover classic albums that have stood the test of time.
-
The Music from Peter Gunn, 1959
Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Henry Mancini was the first recipient of the Album of the Year prize at the inaugural Grammys.
-
Come Dance with Me!, 1961
Image Credit: GAB Archive/Redferns/Getty Images Frank Sinatra won at the second Grammys.
-
The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, 1961
Image Credit: Getty Images The stand-up comic won at the third Grammys.
-
Judy at Carnegie Hall, 1962
Image Credit: Frank Russo/NY Daily News via Getty Images Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall, April 24, 1961. Her live album would go on to win Album of the Year at the fourth Grammys.
-
The First Family, 1963
Image Credit: Getty Images Vaughn Meader holds the record jacket of his hit satire recording that won Album of the Year at the fifth Grammys.
-
The Barbra Streisand Album, 1964
Image Credit: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images The future EGOT winner took Album of the Year at the sixth Grammys.
-
Getz/Gilberto, 1965
Image Credit: Getty Images João Gilberto, left, and Stan Getz (pictured in 1972) won Album of the Year at the seventh Grammys.
-
September of My Years, 1966
Image Credit: Getty Images Frank Sinatra won his second career Album of the Year prize at the eighth Grammys.
-
A Man and His Music, 1967
Image Credit: Getty Images Frank Sinatra won his third career Album of the Year and second in a row at the ninth Grammys.
-
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1968
Image Credit: Getty Images Ringo Starr with sound engineer Geoff Emerick, center, after winning Album of the Year at the 10th Grammys.
-
By the Time I Get to Phoenix, 1969
Image Credit: CBS via Getty Images Glen Campbell won the Album of the Year award at the 11th Grammys.
-
Blood, Sweat & Tears, 1970
Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Blood Sweat & Tears won Album of the Year at the 12th Grammys.
-
Bridge Over Troubled Water, 1971
Image Credit: Getty Images Simon & Garfunkel’s Art Garfunkel, left, and Paul Simon backstage after winning three awards including Album of the Year at the 13th Grammys
-
Tapestry, 1972
Image Credit: Jim McCrary/Redferns Carole King, pictured playing the piano in record producer Lou Adler’s office in March 1971, won Album of the Year at the 14th Grammys.
-
The Concert for Bangladesh, 1973
Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images George Harrison sits with Ravi Shankar in 1974. George Harrison & Friends (Shankar, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Eric Clapton & Klaus Voormann) won Album of the Year at the 15th Grammys.
-
Innervisions, 1974
Image Credit: CBS via Getty Images Stevie Wonder, third from right, with (from left) Little Richard, Stevie Wonder’s brother, their mother Lula Mae Hardaway, Chuck Berry and an unidentified man at the 16th Annual Grammys, where Wonder won Album of the Year.
-
Fulfillingness’ First Finale, 1975
Image Credit: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Stevie Wonder won his second consecutive Album of the Year prize the 17th Grammys.
-
Still Crazy After All These Years, 1976
Image Credit: CBS via Getty Images Paul Simon performs at the 18th Grammys, where he won Album of the Year.
-
Songs in the Key of Life, 1977
Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Stevie Wonder won a third career the Album of the Year award at the 19th Grammys.
-
Rumours, 1978
Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Fleetwood Mac won at the 20th Grammys. From left: producer Richard Dashut, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood (with glasses), Christine McVie and John McVie
-
‘Saturday Night Fever’ Soundtrack, 1979
Image Credit: Getty Images The Bee Gees — brothers Robin, left, Barry and Maurice Gibb — with their Album of the Year trophy at the 22nd Grammys.
-
52nd Street, 1980
Image Credit: Richard E. Aaron/Redferns Billy Joel won at the 23rd Grammys.
-
Christopher Cross, 1981
Image Credit: Allan Tannenbaum/Getty Images Christopher Cross won at the 24th Grammys.
-
Double Fantasy, 1982
Image Credit: Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images John Lennon and Yoko Ono won Album of the Year at the 25th Grammy Awards after his 1980 death. They are pictured here attending the Grammys in 1975.
-
Toto IV, 1983
Image Credit: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Toto won at the 25th Grammys.
-
Thriller, 1984
Image Credit: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Image Michael Jackson and producer Quincy Jones celebrate their Album of the Year win at the 26th Grammys.
-
Can’t Slow Down, 1985
Image Credit: Lester Cohen/Getty Images Lionel Richie after winning Album of the Year at the 27th Grammys.
-
No Jacket Required, 1986
Image Credit: Getty Images Phil Collins with his trophies including the Album of the Year award at the 28th Grammys.
-
Graceland, 1987
Image Credit: Getty Images Paul Simon accepts his second career solo Grammy — and third overall — for Album of the Year at the 29th Grammy s.
-
The Joshua Tree, 1988
Image Credit: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images From left: U2’s The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen and Bono celebrate their Album of the Year award during the 30th Grammys.
-
Faith, 1989
Image Credit: Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images George Michael, pictured circa 1989, when he won Album of the Year at the 31st Grammys.
-
Nick of Time, 1990
Image Credit: CBS via Getty Images Bonnie Raitt accepts her award at the 32nd Grammys.
-
Back on the Block, 1991
Image Credit: Rick Maiman/Sygma via Getty Images Quincy Jones with his many trophies including Album of the Year at the 33rd Grammys.
-
Unforgettable… with Love, 1992
Image Credit: Rick Maiman/Sygma via Getty Images Natalie Cole backstage at the 34th Grammys, where she won three awards including Album of the Year.
-
Unplugged, 1993
Image Credit: Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Eric Clapton poses with the six Grammys he won at the 35th annual Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.
-
‘The Bodyguard’ Soundtrack, 1994
Image Credit: Getty Images Whitney Houston waves to the crowd after winning Album of the Year at the 36th Grammy Awards.
-
MTV Unplugged, 1995
Image Credit: DAN GROSHONG/AFP via Getty Images Tony Bennett celebrates his Album of the Year award backstage at the 37th Grammys.
-
Jagged Little Pill, 1996
Image Credit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Alanis Morissette won at the 38th Grammys.
-
Falling into You, 1997
Image Credit: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Celine Dion with her statuette backstage at the 39th Grammys.
-
Time Out of Mind, 1998
Image Credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images Bob Dylan accepts his award during the 40th Grammys.
-
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, 1999
Image Credit: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect Lauryn Hill accepts her award during the 41st Grammys.
-
Supernatural, 2000
Image Credit: Kirby Lee/WireImage Carlos Santana poses with his record-tying eight Grammy Awards, which included Album of the Year, at the 42nd Grammys.
-
Two Against Nature, 2001
Image Credit: Getty Images Steely Dan’s Walter Becker, left, and Donald Fagen backstage after winning at the 43rd Grammys.
-
‘O Brother Where Art Thou?’ Soundtrack, 2002
Image Credit: Dave Hogan/Getty Images Producer T Bone Burnett accepts the award at the 44th Grammys.
-
Come Away with Me, 2003
Image Credit: KMazur/WireImage Norah Jones accepts her award during the 45th Grammys.
-
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, 2004
Image Credit: Rick Diamond/WireImage OutKast’s Big Boi, in green jacket, and Andre 3000 accept their award at the 46th Grammys.
-
Genius Loves Company, 2005
Image Credit: M. Caulfield/WireImage Ray Charles’ manager, Joe Adams, accepts the award for the late singer during the 47th Grammys.
-
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, 2006
Image Credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images U2’s Bono accepts the band’s second career Album of the Year award at the 48th Grammys.
-
Taking the Long Way Home, 2007
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images From left: Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines and Emily Robinson of Dixie Chicks accept their award at the 49th Grammys.
-
River: The Joni Letters, 2008
Image Credit: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images Herbie Hancock accepts the award during the 50th Grammys.
-
Raising Sand, 2009
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images Robert Plant and Alison Krauss (far right) accept the award during the 51st Grammys.
-
Fearless, 2010
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images Taylor Swift accepts the award during the 52nd Grammys.
-
The Suburbs, 2011
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images Arcade Fire accepts the award during the 53rd Grammys.
-
21, 2012
Image Credit: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images Adele accepts the award during the 54th Grammys.
-
Babel, 2013
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/WireImage Mumford & Sons accepts the award during the 55th Grammys.
-
Random Access Memories, 2014
Image Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images Daft Punk accepts the award at the 56th Grammys.
-
Morning Phase, 2015
Image Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images Beck accepts the award during the 57th Grammys.
-
1989, 2016
Image Credit: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images Taylor Swift accepts her second career Album of the Year award at the 58th Grammys.
-
25, 2017
Image Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images Adele accepts her second career Album of the Year award during the 59th Grammys.
-
24K Magic, 2018
Image Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images Bruno Mars accepts the award during the 60th Grammys.
-
Golden Hour, 2019
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images Kacey Musgraves accepts the award during the 61st Grammys.
-
Bad Guy, 2020
Image Credit: Rachel Luna/FilmMagic Billie Eilish backstage after winning the four Grammy Awards including Album of the Year at the 62nd Grammys.
-
Folklore, 2022
Image Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Taylor Swift backstage after winning her third career Album of the Year award onstage during the 63rd Grammys.
-
We Are, 2022
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images John Batiste accepts the award onstage during the 64th Grammys.
-
Harrys House, 2023
Harry Styles poses with his GRAMMY awards for Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year for Harrys House.
Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.