Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Presented by Alice Cooper and Lita Ford, the first-ever Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance GRAMMY was expected by many to go to Metallica. Instead, Jethro Tull took home the award in one of the most surprising moments in GRAMMY history.

Three years later, Metallica finally won their first GRAMMY. During their acceptance speech, the band couldn't resist referencing the infamous upset, delivering one of the most memorable jokes in GRAMMY history.

Relive the metal GRAMMY controversy that fans still talk about decades later.

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