The Grammys have often been the butt of many music fans' jokes — remember when flute-tooting Jethro Tull won for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance? Or when "Who Let the Dogs Out" was not only nominated for an award, but actually won one?
This week back in 1989, the Recording Academy roused the ire of no less than Will Smith, then known as the Fresh Prince, and LL Cool J, not for making a seemingly clueless yet chuckle-worthy choice, but for, in the rappers' eyes, handing down a judgment that amounted to slapping the entire hip-hop community in the face.
Three of the five nominees in what was then the brand new Rap Performance category announced they would boycott the event: LL Cool J and DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince were the first acts to pull out of the show, angered by the fact that the rap awards would not be part of the live, televised ceremony but would be part of the less prestigious pre-show proceedings instead. They were joined by the rap duo Salt-N-Pepa, who bowed out with a statement saying, "If they don't want us, we don't want them." Rap and metal both got their own separate categories in the 1989 Grammy lineup for the first time, but while the metal awards were to be part of the live broadcast, rap was given second-class citizen status. Show producers said they had limited air time, and viewers "want George Michael," not rap.
The late '80s were a time when hair metal gods ruled the land, and in the feathered-hair-and-tiger-striped-spandex-bedecked pantheon, Jon Bon Jovi pretty much sat at the top of the heap. Bon Jovi were looking at 4 million in sales of their album New Jersey 13 years ago this week, and fans had some questions for the comely frontman.
Fan: Hi, Jon. My name's Fabian. My sister's 13 and she wants you in bed, are you up for it?
Bon Jovi: Well Fabian, if you're willing to sacrifice your sister to me ... I'm absolutely willing. Ready, willing and able.
Fan: Jon, if you came over for dinner my parents would be really displeased, but what would I cook for you?
Bon Jovi: We have pretty good table manners. I promise I won't bite your mother on the neck. I won't steal your father's wallet. And anything like pizza or burgers and a cold beer will do just fine.
Poison's irrepressible guitarist C.C. DeVille was Pan to Jon Bon Jovi's Zeus, and this week in 1989, the frisky, oversexed blonde played host to MTV News backstage at a Poison show.
C.C. DeVille: We see the glitz but let's see what happens behind the scenes. So right now you and me, we're gonna go. Follow me. Oh no, what a coincidence, my fiancée Debbie Gibson's here. Say hi to the camera, hi Deb.
Debbie Gibson: Hi, he's totally crazy.
DeVille: A picture of my favorite guys, Guns — Slash and Axl. Love 'em. I bet you wonder what rock stars eat. Come on in, I'll show you. I used to have McDonald's, now we can afford sushi. I'll be honest with you, I still like McDonald's. We also have lobster ... We're going on in 10 minutes, there's no one here. Please families, mothers, send your daughters and sons. Send them to Poison. My mom and dad are old. They need a place to live. Won't you please help us? Please help us. Thank you. We love you. Thank you ...
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