The 30th Grammy Awards show was organized at Radio City Music Hall, on 2nd March 1988. Billy Crystal was the presenter for the evening. The Academy recognized the artists for their excellent performance in the music industry for the year 1987. U2, Michael Jackson and Suzanne Vega were the artists nominated in most of the Grammy categories. U2 conquered highest Grammys for the year; while Larnelle Harris, Julio Iglesias, Bill Withers were presented with one Grammy each. Jody Watley was presented with the notable ‘Best New Artist’ award and Paul Simon was honored with ‘Record of the Year’ award for “Graceland”. Below is the list of the nominees and winners, who walked away with the prestigious Grammys for the year 1988.
Grammy Award Winners 1988
Album Of The Year
The nominees were:
- U2 - The Joshua Tree Lyrics
- Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris - Trio
- Michael Jackson - Bad Lyrics
- Prince - Sing O' the Times
- Whitney Houston - Whitney Lyrics
Winner: U2 - The Joshua Tree Lyrics
Best Album Notes
The nominees were:
- Thelonious Monk - The Complete Riverside Recordings
- Jimmie Rodgers on Record - America's Blue Yodeler
Winner: helonious Monk - The Complete Riverside Recordings
Best Album Of Original Instrumental Background Score Written For A Motion Picture Or Television
The nominees were:
- Ennio Morricone - The Untouchables (film soundtrack)
- Henry Mancini - The Glass Menagerie (film soundtrack)
- James Horner - An American Tail (film soundtrack)
- John Williams - The Witches of Eastwick (film soundtrack)
- Mark Knopfler - The Princess Bride
Winner: Ennio Morricone - The Untouchables (film soundtrack)
Best Album Package
The nominees were:
- Bill Johnson - King's Record Shop
- Ron Scarselli - Document
- Joe Stelmach - Duke Ellington: The Webster Blanton Band
- Bruce Licher - Echelons
- Peter Barratett - Shaka Zulu
Winner: Bill Johnson - King's Record Shop
Best Arrangement On An Instrumental
The nominees were:
- Bill Holman - Take the 'A' Train - track from The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen, Vol. 2
- Jorge Calandrelli (strings arranged by Jorge Calandrelli, Dori Caymmi, Christian Chevalier) - Any Time, Any Season - track from Any Time, Any Season
- Patrick Williams - Jive Samba - track from 10th Avenue
- Michael Convertino - Main Title - track from Children of a Lesser God
- Dave Grusin - The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter - track from Cinemagic
Winner: Bill Holman - Take the 'A' Train - track from The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen, Vol. 2
Best Chamber Music Performance - Instrumental Or Vocal
The nominees were:
- Itzhak Perlman, Lynn Harrell, Vladimir Ashkenazy - Beethoven: The Complete Piano Trios
- Murray Perahia, members of the Amadeus Quartet - Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor
- Beaux Arts Trio - Dvorak: Piano Trio in E Minor (Dumky); Mendelssohn: Piano Trio in D Minor
- Jean-Pierre Rampal, Isaac Stern, Salvatore Accardo, Mstislav Rostropovich - Mozart: The Flute Quartets (K. 285, 285A, 285B, 298)
- Kronos Quartet - White Man Sleeps (Music by Volans, Ives, Hassell, Coleman, Johnson, Bartok)
Winner: Itzhak Perlman, Lynn Harrell, Vladimir Ashkenazy - Beethoven: The Complete Piano Trios
Best Choral Performance
The nominees were:
- Robert Shaw conducting the Atlanta Symphony Chorus and Orchestra - Hindemith: When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd (A Requiem for Those We Loved)
- John Eliot Gardiner conducting the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists - Bach: St. John Passion
- Michael Tilson Thomas conducting the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Utah Symphony; Jerold D. Ottley, choral director - Copland: Old American Songs; Canticle of Freedom; Four Motets
- Charles Mackerras conducting the Prague Philharmonic Chorus and Czech Philharmonic Orchestra; Lubomir Matl, chorus master - Janacek: Glagolitic Mass
- Klaus Tennstedt conducting the London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, Richard Cooke, chorus master; Tiffin School Boys' Choir, Neville Creed, chorus master - Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E Flat (Symphony of a Thousand)
- Andre Previn conducting the Brighton Festival Chorus and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Laszlo Heltay, chorus master - Tippett: A Child of Our Time
Winner: Robert Shaw conducting the Atlanta Symphony Chorus and Orchestra - Hindemith: When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd (A Requiem for Those We Loved)
Best Classical Album
The nominees were:
- Vladimir Horowitz - Horowitz in Moscow
- Edo de Waart conducting the San Francisco Symphony - Adams: The Chairman Dances; Christmas Zeal and Activity; 2 Fanfares for Orchestra; Tromba Iontana; Short Ride in a Fast Machine; Common Tones in Simple Time
- Georg Solti conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Choral)
- Leonard Slatkin conducting the St. Louis Symphony - Hanson: Symphony No. 2 (Romantic); Barber: Violin Concerto
- Robert Shaw conducting the Atlanta Symphony Chorus and Orchestra - Faure: Requiem, Op. 48; Durufle: Requeim, Op. 9
Winner: Vladimir Horowitz - Horowitz in Moscow
Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist(S) With Orchestra
The nominees were:
- Itzhak Perlman (James Levine conducting the Vienna Philharmonic) - Mozart: Violin Concertos No. 2 in D and No. 4 in D
- Elmar Oliviera (Leonard Slatkin conducting the St. Louis Symphony) - Barber: Violin Concerto, Op.—
- Murray Perahia (Bernard Haitink conducting the Concertgebouw Orchestra) - Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E Flat (Emperor)
- Wynton Marsalis (Donald Hunsberger conducting the Eastman Wind Ensemble) - Carnaval (Works by Arban, Clarke, Levy, Paganini, Rimsky Korsakov, Bellstedt)
- Dale Clevenger (Franz List Chamber Orchestra) - Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4; Rondo; Fragment
Winner: Itzhak Perlman (James Levine conducting the Vienna Philharmonic) - Mozart: Violin Concertos No. 2 in D and No. 4 in D
Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist(S) Without Orchestra
The nominees were:
- Vladimir Horowitz, piano - Horowitz in Moscow
- Andras Schiff, piano - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2
- Murray Perahia - Beethoven: Piano Sonatas No. 17, Op. 31; No.', Op. 31; No. 26, Op. 81A
- Itzhak Perlman, violin (Samuel Sanders, accompanist) - My Favorite Kreisler
- Peter Serkin, piano - Stravinsky, Wolpe, Lieberson (Stravinsky: Serenade in A and Sonata; Wolpe: Form IV: Broken Sequences
Winner: Vladimir Horowitz, piano - Horowitz in Moscow
Best Classical Performance - Vocal Soloist
The nominees were:
- Kathleen Battle (James Levine, accompanist) - Kathleen Battle, Salzburg Recital (Faure, Handel, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Purcell, Strauss, Spirituals)
- Marni Nixon (Keith Clark conducting members of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra) - Copland: 8 Poems of Emily Dickinson
- Jessye Norman (Geoffrey Parsons, accompanist) - R. Strauss: Lieder (Including Malven)
- Elly Ameling (Rudolf Jansen, accompanist) - Soire Francaise (Debussy, Faure, Poulenc, Franck, Canteloube, Roussel, Chausson, Messiaen, etc.)
- Arleen Auger (Yale Cellos of Aldo Parisot) - Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 for Soprano and Orchestra of Violincellos
Winner: Kathleen Battle (James Levine, accompanist) - Kathleen Battle, Salzburg Recital (Faure, Handel, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Purcell, Strauss, Spirituals)
Best Comedy Recording
The nominees were:
- Robin Williams - A Night at the Met
- Bob Elliott, Ray Goulding - The Best of Bob and Ray, Vol. 1
- Jackie Mason - The World According to Me!
- Ray Stevens - Would Jesus Wear a Rolex Lyrics
- Weird Al Yankovic - Polka Party Lyrics
Winner: Robin Williams - A Night at the Met
Best Concept Music Video
The nominees were:
- Kate Bush - The Whole Story
Winner: Kate Bush - The Whole Story
Best Contemporary Blues Recording
The nominees were:
- Robert Cray Band - Strong Persuader
- B.B. King (from The Color of Money soundtrack) - Standing on the Edge of Love
- Bobby Bland - After All
- Buckwheat Zydecko - On a Night Like This
- Earl King, Roomful of Blues – Glazed
Winner: Robert Cray Band - Strong Persuader
Best Contemporary Composition
The nominees were:
- Krzysztof Penderecki - Cello Concerto No. 2
- John Adams - The Chairman Dances
- Joseph Schwanter - A Sudden Rainbow
- Michael Tippett - The Mask of Time
- Milton Babbitt - Piano Concerto
- Roger Sessions - Symphony No. 5
Winner: Krzysztof Penderecki - Cello Concerto No. 2
Best Contemporary Folk Recording
The nominees were:
- Steve Goodman - Unfinished Business
- Joan Baez - Asimbonanga
- John Hartford - Annual Waltz
- Loudon Wainwright III - More Love Songs
- Washington Squares - The Washington Squares
Winner: Steve Goodman - Unfinished Business
Best Country & Western Instrumental Performance
The nominees were:
- Asleep at the Wheel - String of Pars
- Jerry Douglas - Changing Channels
- Albert Lee - Gagged but Not Bound
- Bill Monroe - The Old Brown Country Barn
- Stephane Grappelli, Vassar Clements - Together at Last
Winner: Asleep at the Wheel - String of Pars
Best Country & Western Song
The nominees were:
- Paul Overstreet, Don Schlitz - Forever and Ever, Amen
- K.T. Oslin - 80's Ladies Lyrics
- Linda Thompson, Betsy Cook - Tellin' Me Lies
- Mary Ann Kennedy, Pat Bunch, Pam Rose - I'll Still Be Loving You
- Sanger D. Shafer, Lyndia J. Shafer - All My Ex's Live in Texas
Winner: Paul Overstreet, Don Schlitz - Forever and Ever, Amen
Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Duet
The nominees were:
- Ronnie Milsap, Kenny Rogers - Make No Mistake, She's Mine
- Michael Martin Murphey, Holly Dunn - A Face in the Crowd
- Crystal Gayle, Gary Morris - Another World
- Glen Campbell, Steve Wariner - The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
- Glen Campbell, Emmylou Harris - You Are
Winner: Ronnie Milsap, Kenny Rogers - Make No Mistake, She's Mine
Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Duo Or Group
The nominees were:
- Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris - Trio
- O'Kanes - Can't Stop My Heart from Loving You
- The Judds - Heartland
- Restless Heart - I'll Still Be Loving You Lyrics
- Desert Rose Band - The Desert Rose Band
Winner: Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris - Trio
Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Female
The nominees were:
- K.T. Oslin - 80's Ladies Lyrics
- Emmylou Harris - Angel Band Lyrics
- Rosanne Cash - King's Record Shop
- Tanya Tucker - Love Me Like You Used To Lyrics
- Reba McEntire - The Last One to Know Lyrics
Winner: K.T. Oslin - 80's Ladies Lyrics
Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Male
The nominees were:
- Randy Travis - Always and Forever
- George Strait - All My Ex's Live In Texas Lyrics
- Hank Williams Jr. - Born To Boogie Lyrics
- Steve Earle - Exit O
- Dwight Yoakum - Hillbilly Deluxe
Winner: Randy Travis - Always and Forever
Best Engineered Recording
The nominees were:
- Bruce Swedien, Humberto Gatica - Bad
- Andrew Jackson - A Momentary Lapse of Reason
- Don Murray, Keith Grant, engineers; Josiah Gluck, Dave Grusin, mixers - Cinemagic
- Ben Harris, Kyle Lehning, Joe Bogen - Heart and Soul
- Tom Jung - Neon
- Al Schmitt – Reflections
Winner: Bruce Swedien, Humberto Gatica - Bad
Best Engineered Recording - Classical
The nominees were:
- Jack Renner - Faure: Requiem, Op. 48; Durufle: Requiem, Op. 9 (Shaw conducting the Atlanta Symphony Chorus and Orc
- John Pellowe, James Lock - Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Choral) (Solti conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra)
- Jack Renner - Hindemith: When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd (A Requiem for Those We Loved) (Shaw conducting
- Thomas Frost - Horowitz in Moscow (solo: Vladimir Horowitz)
- John Pellowe - Tchaikovsky:'12 Overture; Romeo and Juliet; The Nutcracker Suite (Solti conducting the Chicago Sym
Winner: Jack Renner - Faure: Requiem, Op. 48; Durufle: Requiem, Op. 9 (Shaw conducting the Atlanta Symphony Chorus and Orc
Best Gospel Performance - Duo, Group, Choir Or Chorus
The nominees were:
- Mylon LeFevre, Broken Heart - Crack the Sky
- Mr. Mister - Healing Waters Lyrics
- Petra - This Means War! Lyrics
- Stryper - To Hell With The Devil Lyrics
- Bill Gaither Trio - Welcome Back Home
Winner: Mylon LeFevre, Broken Heart - Crack the Sky
Best Gospel Performance - Female
The nominees were:
- Deniece Williams - I Believe in You
- Debbie McClendon - Count It All Joy
- Kathy Troccoli - Images
- Debby Boone - The Name Above All Names
- Terri Gibbs – Turnaround
Winner: Deniece Williams - I Believe in You
Best Gospel Performance - Male
The nominees were:
- Larnelle Harris - The Father Hath Provided
- Dallas Holm - Against the Wind
- Leon Patillo - Brand New
- Steve Green - Joy to the World
- Wayne Watson - Watercolour Ponies Lyrics
Winner: Larnelle Harris - The Father Hath Provided
Best Historical Album
The nominees were:
- Thelonious Monk - Thelonious Monk: The Complete Riverside Recordings
- Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, others - The Bristol Sessions
- Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, others - The Gershwin Collection
- Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, others - Singers and Soloists of the Swing Bands
- Otis Redding - The Otis Redding Story
Winner: Thelonious Monk - Thelonious Monk: The Complete Riverside Recordings
Best Instrumental Composition
The nominees were:
- Dexter Gordon, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Billy Higgins - Call Sheet Blues - track from The Other Side of 'Round Midnight
- Claude Bolling - Bolling: Suite No. 2 for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio
- Frank Zappa - Jazz from Hell - track from Jazz from Hell
- Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays - Minuano (Six Eight) - track from Still Life (Talking)
- Henry Mancini - The Blues in Three - track from The Glass Menagerie
Winner: Dexter Gordon, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Billy Higgins - Call Sheet Blues - track from The Other Side of 'Round Midnight
Best Jazz Fusion Performance
The nominees were:
- Pat Metheny Group - Still Life
- David Sanborn - A Change of Heart
- George Benson, Earl Klugh - Collaboration
- Larry Carlton - Discovery
- Yellowjackets - Four Corners
Winner: Pat Metheny Group - Still Life
Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Big Band
The nominees were:
- Duke Ellington Orchestra conducting by Mercer Ellington - Digital Duke
- Patrick William's New York Band - 10th Avenue
- Louis Bellson & His Jazz Orchestra - Louis Bellson and His Jazz Orchestra
- Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen - The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen Vol. 2
- Woody Herman & His Big Band - Woody's Gold Star
Winner: Duke Ellington Orchestra conducting by Mercer Ellington - Digital Duke
Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Group
The nominees were:
- Wynton Marsalis - Marsalis Standard Time, Vol. 1
- Larry Carlton - Last Nite
- Michael Brecker - Michael Brecker
- Eddie Daniels - To Bird with Love
- Chick Corea, Miroslav Vitous, Roy Haynes - Trio Music, Live in Europe
Winner: Wynton Marsalis - Marsalis Standard Time, Vol. 1
Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Soloist
The nominees were:
- Dexter Gordon - The Other Side of 'Round Midnight
- Branford Marsalis - Cottontail (Duke Ellington Orchestra)
- Wynton Marsalis - Marsalis Standard Time, Vol. 1
- Michael Brecker - Michael Brecker
- Eddie Daniels - To Bird with Love
Winner: Dexter Gordon - The Other Side of 'Round Midnight
Best Jazz Vocal Performance - Female
The nominees were:
- Diane Schuur - Diane Schuur and the Count Basie Orchestra
- Carmen McRae - Any Old Time
- Janis Siegel - At Home
- Sarah Vaughan - Brazilian Romance
- Ella Fitzgerald - Easy Living
Winner: Diane Schuur - Diane Schuur and the Count Basie Orchestra
Best Jazz Vocal Performance - Male
The nominees were:
- Bobby McFerrin - What Is This Thing Called Love
- Billy Eckstine - Billy Eckstine Sings with Billy Carter
- Dave Frishberg - Can't Take You Nowhere
- Joe Williams - Every Night
- Arthur Prysock - This Guy's in Love with You
Winner: Bobby McFerrin - What Is This Thing Called Love
Best Latin Pop Performance
The nominees were:
- Julio Iglesias - Un Hombre Solo
- Danny Rivera - Amar o Morir
- Braulio - En Bancarrota
- Yolandita Monge - Laberinto de Amor
- Luis Miguel - Luis Miguel '87, Soy Como Quiero Ser
- Maria Conchita Alonso - Otra Mentira Mas
- Jose Jose - Siempre Contigo
- Emmanuel – Solo
Winner: Julio Iglesias - Un Hombre Solo
Best Mexican-American Performance
The nominees were:
- Los Tigres del Norte - Gracias! America sin Fronteras
- Antonio Aguilar - 15 Exitos con Tambora, Vol. 2
- Los Diablos - Celebracion
- Chavela y Su Grupo Express - El Rey del Barrio
- Little Joe – Timeless
Winner: Los Tigres del Norte - Gracias! America sin Fronteras
Best Musical Cast Show Album
The nominees were:
- Broadway cast - Les Miserables
- Kiri Te Kanawa, Jeremy Irons, others - My Fair Lady
- London cast - The Phantom of the Opera
- Broadway cast - Me and My Girl
- Kiri Te Kanawa, Jose Carreras, others - South Pacific
Winner: Broadway cast - Les Miserables
Best New Age Performance
The nominees were:
- Yusef Lateef - Yusef Lateef's Little Symphony
- Patrick O'Hearn - Between Two Worlds
- Liz Story - Reconciliation
- Montreaux - Sweet Intentions
- Kitaro - The Field
- Paul Horn – Traveler
Winner: Yusef Lateef - Yusef Lateef's Little Symphony
Best Opera Recording
The nominees were:
- James Levine conducting the Vienna Philharmonic (solos: Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Kathleen Battle, Agnes Baltsa, Gary Lakes, Hermann Prey) - R. Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos
- Georg Solti conducting the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus (solos: Edita Gruberova, Kathleen Battle, Gosta Winbergh, Heinz Zednik, Martti Talvela) - Mozart: Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail
- Herbert von Karajan conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus (solos: Samuel Ramey, Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Agnes Baltsa, Kathleen Battle, Gosta Winbergh, Ferruccio Furlanetto, Alexander Malta, Paata Burchuladze)&quo - Mozart: Don Giovanni
- Riccardo Chailly conducting the Orchestra e Coro del Teatro Communale di Bologna (solos: Leo Nucci, Shirley Verrett, Samuel Ramey, Veriano Luchetti, Antonio Barasorda) - Verdi: Macbeth
- Riccardo Muti conducting the Vienna Philharmonic and Chorus (solos: Thomas Allen, Margaret Price, Kathleen Battle, Jorma Hynninen, Ann Murray, Kurt Rydl) - Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro
Winner: James Levine conducting the Vienna Philharmonic (solos: Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Kathleen Battle, Agnes Baltsa, Gary Lakes, Hermann Prey) - R. Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos
Best Orchestral Recording
The nominees were:
- Georg Solti conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Choral)
- Charles Dutoit conducting the Montreal Symphony Orchestra - Holst: The Planets
- James Levine conducting the Berlin Philharmonic - Berg, Webern, Schoenberg: Orchestral Pieces
- Leonard Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic - Copland: Symphony No. 3; Quiet City
- Leonard Slatkin conducting the St. Louis Symphony - Hanson: Symphony No. 2 (Romantic)
Winner: Georg Solti conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Choral)
Best Polka Recording
The nominees were:
- Jimm Sturr & His Orchestra - A Polka Just for Me
- Lenny Gomulka, Dick Pillar - In Polka Unity
- Walt Groller & His Orchestra - It's Polkamatic
- Eddie Blazoncyzk's Versatones - Let's Celebrate Again
- Kryger Brothers - Polka Mania
Winner: Jimm Sturr & His Orchestra - A Polka Just for Me
Best Pop Instrumental Performance
The nominees were:
- Larry Carlton - Minute by Minute
- Art of Noise - Dragnet
- Dave Grusin - It Might Be You
- Herb Alpert - Keep Your Eye on Me
- Chick Corea Elektric Band - Light Years
Winner: Larry Carlton - Minute by Minute
Best Recording For Children
The nominees were:
- Jack Nicholson, Bobby McFerrin - The Elephant's Child
- Barbara Fairchild - Lullaby for Teddy
- Glenn Close, Mark Isham - The Emperor and the Nightingale
- Raffi - Everything Grows Lyrics
Winner: Jack Nicholson, Bobby McFerrin - The Elephant's Child
Best Reggae Recording
The nominees were:
- Peter Tosh - No Nuclear War
- Burning Spear - People of the World
- Third World - Hold on to Love Lyrics
- UB40 - UB40 CCCP (Live in Moscow)
Winner: Peter Tosh - No Nuclear War
Best Rhythm & Blues Instrumental Performance
The nominees were:
- David Sanborn - Chicago Song
- Stanley Turrentine - Boogie on Reggae Woman
- Herb Alpert - Diamonds
- Jonathan Butler - Going Home
- Najee - Najee's Theme
Winner: David Sanborn - Chicago Song
Best Rhythm & Blues Song
The nominees were:
- Bill Withers - Lean On Me Lyrics
- Just to See Her - Jimmy George, Lou Pardini
- U Got the Look - Prince
- Casanova - Reggie Calloway
- Skeletons - Stevie Wonder
Winner: Bill Withers - Lean On Me Lyrics
Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Duo Or Group
The nominees were:
- Aretha Franklin, George Michael - I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)
- LeVert - Casanova
- Club Nouveau - Lean On Me Lyrics
- Whispers - Rock Steady Lyrics
- Prince, Sheena Easton - U Got the Look
Winner: Aretha Franklin, George Michael - I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)
Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Female
The nominees were:
- Aretha Franklin - Aretha
- Natalie Cole - Everlasting Lyrics
- Whitney Houston - For The Love Of You Lyrics
- Nancy Wilson - Forbidden Lover
- Jody Watley - Looking For A New Love Lyrics
Winner: Aretha Franklin - Aretha
Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Male
The nominees were:
- Smokey Robinson - Just To See Her Lyrics
- Michael Jackson - Bad Lyrics
- Wilson Pickett - In The Midnight Hour Lyrics
- Jonathan Butler - Lies
- Stevie Wonder - Skeletons Lyrics
Winner: Smokey Robinson - Just To See Her Lyrics
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
The nominees were:
- Frank Zappa - Jazz From Hell Lyrics
- Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - Paradise by the 'C'
- Stevie Ray Vaughan, Dick Dale - Pipeline
- Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Say What!
- Herbie Hancock, Dweezil Zappa, Terry Bozzio - Wipe Out
Winner: Frank Zappa - Jazz From Hell Lyrics
Best Song Written Specifically For A Motion Picture Or Television
The nominees were:
- James Horner, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil - Somewhere Out There
- Diane Warren, Albert Hammond - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now (from Mannequin soundtrack)
- Frankie Previte, John Denicola, Donald Markowitz - (I've Had) The Time of My Life
- Madonna, Patrick Leonard - Who's That Girl
- Al Jarreau, Lee Holdridge - Moonlighting Theme
Winner: James Horner, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil - Somewhere Out There
Best Soul Gospel Performance - Duo, Group, Choir Or Chorus
The nominees were:
- Winans, Anita Baker - Ain't No Need to Worry
- BeBe and CeCe Winans - BeBe and CeCe Winans
- Winans - Decisions
- Edwin Hawkins & the Music and Arts Seminar Mass Choir - Give Us Peace
- Clark Sisters - Heart and Soul
Winner: Winans, Anita Baker - Ain't No Need to Worry
Best Soul Gospel Performance - Female
The nominees were:
- CeCe Winans - For Always Lyrics
- Lynette Hawkins Stephens - Baby Sis
- Vickie Winans - Be Encouraged
- Shirley Caesar - The Lord Will Make a Way
- Della Reese - You Gave Me Love
Winner: CeCe Winans - For Always Lyrics
Best Soul Gospel Performance - Male
The nominees were:
- Al Green - Everything's Gonna Be Alright Lyrics
- Keith Pringle - All to You
- BeBe Winans - Call Me
- Jessy Dixon - The Winning Side
- Wintley Phipps - Wintley Phipps
Winner: Al Green - Everything's Gonna Be Alright Lyrics
Best Spoken Word Or Nonmusical Recording
The nominees were:
- Garrison Keillor - Lake Wobegon Days
- Katharine Hepburn - Lincoln Portrait - track from Aaron Copland: Lincoln Portrait and Other Works
- Lauren Bacall - Lauren Bacall by Myself
- Leonard Nimoy - Whales Alive
- Leonard Nimoy, George Takei - Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Winner: Garrison Keillor - Lake Wobegon Days
Best Traditional Blues Recording
The nominees were:
- Professor Longhair - Houseparty New Orleans Style
- Albert Collins - Cold Snap
- Eddie Cleanhead Vinson (track from The Late Show (Etta James)) - Old Maid Boogie
- James Cotton - Take Me Back
- Koko Taylor - Live from Chicago, an Audience with the Queen
Winner: Professor Longhair - Houseparty New Orleans Style
Best Traditional Folk Recording
The nominees were:
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Shaka Zulu
- Bantu Glee Singers, Crocodiles, Shooting Stars, others - Mbube Roots, Zulu Choral Music from South Africa
- Chieftains - Celtic Wedding
- Michael Doucet, BeauSoleil - Belizaire the Cajun
- various artists - Zulu Men's Singing Competition
Winner: Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Shaka Zulu
Best Tropical Latin Performance
The nominees were:
- Eddie Palmieri - La Verdad - The Truth
- Ruben Blades - Agua de Luna (Moon Water)
- Ray Barretto - Aqui Se Puede
- Caribbean Express - Caribbean Express
- Hector Lavoe - Strikes Back
- Celia Cruz, Willie Colon - The Winners
Winner: Eddie Palmieri - La Verdad - The Truth
Classical Producer Of The Year
The nominees were:
- Robert Woods
- Thomas Frost
- Michael Haas
- Jay David Saks
- Steven Epstein
Winner: Robert Woods
Hall Of Fame
The nominees were:
- Artie Shaw & His Orchestra - Star Dust
- Charlie Parker - Charlie Parker with Strings
- Chuck Berry - Maybellene Lyrics
- Elvis Presley - Hound Dog Lyrics
- Wilhelm Furtwangler conducting the Philharmonic Orchestra, Chorus of Royal Opera House, Convent Garden / Flagstad, Thebom, Suthaus, Fischer-Dieskau - Wagner: Tristan und Isolde (Complete)
Winner: Artie Shaw & His Orchestra - Star Dust
Lifetime Achievement Awards
The nominees were:
- Hank Williams Sr. Lyrics
- Woody Herman
- B.B. King Lyrics
- Ray Charles Lyrics
- Roy Acuff Lyrics
- Isaac Stern
- Benny Carter
- Billie Holiday Lyrics
- Arturo Toscanini
- Enrico Caruso
- Igor Stravinsky
- Fats Domino Lyrics
Winner: Hank Williams Sr. Lyrics
New Artist
The nominees were:
- Jody Watley Lyrics
- Cutting Crew Lyrics
- Terence Trent Darby Lyrics
- Swing Out Sister
- Breakfast Club Lyrics
Winner: Jody Watley Lyrics
Pop Female Vocalist
The nominees were:
- Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance with Somebody Lyrics
- Carly Simon - Coming Around Again Lyrics
- Belinda Carlisle - Heaven Is A Place On Earth Lyrics
- Suzanne Vega - Luka Lyrics
- Barbra Streisand - One Voice
Winner: Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance with Somebody Lyrics
Pop Male Vocalist
The nominees were:
- Sting - Bring On The Night Lyrics
- Michael Jackson - Bad Lyrics
- Bruce Springsteen - Brilliant Disguise Lyrics
- Elton John - Candle In The Wind Lyrics
- Al Jarreau - Moonlighting theme
Winner: Sting - Bring On The Night Lyrics
Pop Vocal Group
The nominees were:
- Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes - (I've Had) The Time of My Life
- Heart - Alone Lyrics
- Swing Out Sister - Breakout
- Los Lobos - La Bamba Lyrics
- Linda Ronstadt, James Ingram - Somewhere Out There
Winner: Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes - (I've Had) The Time of My Life
Producer Of The Year
The nominees were:
- Narada Michael Walden
- Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno
- Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson
- John Mellencamp, Don Gehman
- Emilio & the Jerks
Winner: Narada Michael Walden
Record Of The Year
The nominees were:
- Paul Simon - Graceland Lyrics
- Los Lobos - La Bamba Lyrics
- Steve Winwood - Back In The High Life Again Lyrics
- Suzanne Vega - Luka Lyrics
- U2 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For Lyrics
Winner: Paul Simon - Graceland Lyrics
Rock Vocal Group
The nominees were:
- U2 - The Joshua Tree
- Heart - Bad Attitude
- Yes - Big Generation
- Los Lobos - By the Light of the Moon
- The Georgia Satellites - Keep Your Hand to Yourself
Winner: U2 - The Joshua Tree
Rock Vocal Performance
The nominees were:
- Bruce Springsteen - Tunnel Of Love Lyrics
- Tina Turner - Better Be Good To Me Lyrics
- Richard Marx - Don't Mean Nothing Lyrics
- Bob Seger - Shakedown Lyrics
- Joe Cocker - Unchain My Heart Lyrics
Winner: Bruce Springsteen - Tunnel Of Love Lyrics
Song Of The Year
The nominees were:
- James Horner, Barry Mann - Somewhere Out There
- Michael Masser, Will Jennings - Didn't We Almost Have It All
- Richie Valens - La Bamba Lyrics
- Suzanne Vega - Luka Lyrics
- U2 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For Lyrics
Winner: James Horner, Barry Mann - Somewhere Out There