Teenage Kicks®

Grammys in the '80s

by Jim McGuinn

April 02, 2022

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The self-titled debut album by Christopher Cross, released in December 1979. It includes the hit song, 'Sailing.'
The self-titled debut album by Christopher Cross, released in December 1979. It includes the hit song, 'Sailing.' Warner Records

This weekend we get ready for the Grammys – which this year includes a lot of The Current artists, but looking back over the years, the Grammys have faced … well, a lot of criticism — for some of the choices made and for glaring omissions.

This week for Teenage Kicks, it’s Grammy winners of the ‘80s, warts and all. Yacht Rock was sailing, and nearly every year, a Springsteen, Simon, Turner, Joel, Benatar, or a McFadden were at the podium.  It’s a trip through the Grammys of the ‘80s – this week for Teenage Kicks.

Program playlist, hour 1

Program playlist, hour 2

Featured artists
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Bobby McFerrin
Singer Bobby McFerrin performs at The 39th Annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented by Shell - Day 6 at The New Orleans Fair Grounds on May 3, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
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Bruce Springsteen performs onstage in New York
Bruce Springsteen performs onstage during the 15th Annual Stand Up For Heroes benefit at Alice Tully Hall presented by Bob Woodruff Foundation and NY Comedy Festival on November 08, 2021, in New York City.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
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Global Citizen: The World On Stage - Show
Paul Simon performs in New York City in September 2016.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Grammys in the '80s