AC/DC’s seminal hard rock masterpiece Back In Black is amongst the latest round of inductees to the prestigious Grammy’s Hall of Fame.
As reported by Spin, The Recording Academy announced 2013’s inductees this Wednesday the 21st, adding 27 recordings to Los Angeles’ Grammy Museum, which have been deemed to hold “qualitative or historical significance.”
AC/DC’s seventh LP most certainly ticks both of those boxes. Released in 1980 following the tragic death of lead singer Bon Scott. With an unsure future, the Australian icons hit back hard with new frontman (and former fan) Brian Johnson, releasing what went on to become the second highest selling album of all time and one of the most influential hard rock records ever.
As well as AC/DC’s 1980 reinvention (which has now finally been made available on iTunes, along with the band’s entire back catalogue), other records to receive the honour in this year’s induction include Paul McCartney & Wings’ Band On The Run, Elton John’s 1970 self-titled album, and Whitney Houston’s eponymous debut, which follows the singer’s death in February.
Cultural milestones such as Bob Dylan’s ‘Times Are A-Changing’, James Brown’s ‘I Got You (I Feel Good)’, and Frank Sinatra’s ‘Theme From New York, New York’, are amongst the list of singular songs that have also been honoured alongside these classic albums.
“With the Grammy Hall Of Fame celebrating 40 years, it’s especially important to note that these entries continue the tradition of inducting a wide variety of recordings that have inspired and influenced both fans and music makers for generations,” President and CEO of The Recording Academy, Neil Portnow said of the inductees.
“Memorable for being both culturally and historically significant, we are proud to add them to our growing catalogue of outstanding recordings that have become part of our musical, social, and cultural history.”
Now featuring 933 recordings – both in album and single formats – the archive is chosen in an annual review by a committee of professionals from the recording arts industry, with final approval given by The Recording Academy’s board of trustees. Inductees in the past have come from all genres, with the only barrier to overcome before consideration is that the recording must be at least 25 years old. The award honours significant landmarks in musical history, starting at the turn of the 20th century, leading all the way to the cut-off date, which is currently 1987.
See 2013’s inductees in their entirety below.
- “Act Naturally,” Buck Owens (Capitol, 1963)
- “Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens,” Louis Jordan And His Tympany Five (Decca, 1946)
- “Allons à Lafayette (Lafayette),” Joe Falcon (Columbia, 1928)
- Back In Black, AC/DC (Albert/Atlantic, 1980)
- Band on the Run, Paul McCartney and Wings (Apple, 1973)
- “Bonaparte’s Retreat,” W.H. Stepp (Library of Congress, 1937)
- Crosscurrents, Lennie Tristano Sextet (Capitol, 1949)
- “El Día Que Me Quieras,” Carlos Gardel (Paramount, 1935)
- Elton John, Elton John (Uni Records, 1970)
- Foggy Mountain Banjo, Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs And The Foggy Mountain Boys (Columbia, 1961)
- Here’s Little Richard, Little Richard (Specialty, 1957)
- “Hit The Road Jack,” Ray Charles (ABC-Paramount, 1961)
- “Hound Dog,” Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton (Peacock, 1953)
- “I Got You (I Feel Good),” James Brown (King, 1965)
- John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman, John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman (Impulse!, 1963)
- Lost In The Stars, Original Broadway Cast (Decca, 1949)
- Mingus Ah Um, Charles Mingus (Columbia, 1959)
- “My Black Mama [Parts 1 & 2],” Son House (Paramount, 1930)
- “Near You,” Francis Craig and His Orchestra (Bullet, 1947)
- “On Broadway,” The Drifters (Atlantic, 1963)
- “Piano Man,” Billy Joel (Columbia, 1973)
- “Stealin’ Stealin’,” Memphis Jug Band (Victor, 1928)
- That Nigger’s Crazy, Richard Pryor (Partee/Stax, 1974)
- “Theme From ‘New York, New York’,” Frank Sinatra (Reprise, 1980)
- “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” Bob Dylan (Columbia, 1964)
- “The Titanic,” Ernest V. “Pop” Stoneman (Okeh, 1924)
- Whitney Houston, Whitney Houston (Arista, 1985)
