Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 22, 1991 TAG: 9102220465
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
The 33rd annual Grammys had a little of something for everybody, much of it stuff that never made it on television or out of the basement room where winners and presenters answered questions.
O'Connor's likeness appeared on a shirt worn by Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid, who informed everyone the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences "is not our fashion consultant."
O'Connor, who won best alternative music performance, boycotted the ceremonies, complaining the academy focuses too much on commercial success.
Cracking on Vanilla Ice, the cocky rapper, was the most popular sport of the evening. Everyone from smooth-singing Luther Vandross to squeaky-clean Debbie Gibson took shots at the Iceman.
Asked how he felt about beating out Ice for a Grammy, Vandross replied: "Beating up or beating out? 'Cause one of those could get done."
M.C. Hammer, who took home three awards, recalled a comment made by a member of Ice's management: "They said Vanilla Ice could dance better than me. Once I stopped laughing, I said, `Right. What's next?' "
Vanilla Ice, who is white, has been accused of watering down rap and trying to capitalize on black music.
Host Garry Shandling was about the only guy happy to see Ice - sort of.
"I was just really curious to see what he looked like in person - if he looked anything like the poster in my bedroom," Shandling joked after the show ended.
Ice did not speak with reporters after the show.
In the interview room downstairs at Radio City Music Hall, you could learn more - much more - about the winners than you'd ever want to know.
Songwriter Julie Gold, whose "From A Distance" won as song of the year, revealed the following: She weighs 127 pounds, is 35 years old, her birth sign is Aquarius and her blood type is the rare AB negative.
B.B. King confessed he was "an honorary member" at San Quentin.
And Tony Bennett said he never got tired of singing "I Left My Heart in San Francisco. "No! Do you ever get tired of making love?" he shot back at a questioner.
Other notes of interest:
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler spit his gum into the front row of the crowd and Billy Idol grabbed his crotch during their live performances.
A cappella group Take 6 was the first winner to thank God. The moment took place at approximately 6 p.m.
R&B singer Johnny Gill reduced "Twin Peaks" composer Angelo Badalamenti's last name to a three-syllable jumble. "I know he's gonna kill me for that," said Gill.
Suffering through the toughest night was Phil Collins. Nominated for eight awards, he sat quietly as someone else picked up the Grammy in the first seven. He finally captured the last award of the night, record of the year.
The triumphant Collins came down to meet the media, but not fast enough. The clock had struck midnight, and the unions had already taken down the microphones.
Result: Collins was crushed by a surge of reporters twisting and shouting to get a better position.
by CNB