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From Diana Ross to Snoop Dogg, here are 10 music legends who have NEVER WON a Grammy

The selection process for the coveted award involves submissions being made by both members of the Academy and record companies

BY ARUNAVA BANERJEE

PUBLISHED FEB 6, 2023

Despite being legends in their own rights, Diana Ross and Snoop Dogg have never won a Grammy Award (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images; Rick Kern/Getty Images)

MOSCOW, IDAHO: The 65th Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 5, saw prominent artistes including Harry Styles, Ozzy Osbourne, Kendrick Lamar and Ozzy Osbourne take home awards, giving their fans a reason to rejoice. However, several musicians, including the K-pop group BTS, who received a nomination but failed to receive an award, causing outrage online, with several questioning the coveted ceremony. The Grammy Awards are given by The Recording Academy (formally the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, or NARAS) founded in 1957.

The selection process for the coveted awards involves submissions being made by both members of the Academy and record companies. Reviewing sessions by more than 350 experts in various fields are held to ensure that the recordings entered meet specific guidelines and if they have been placed in appropriate genres. After the nominations are confirmed the Academy members enter a voting process to select a winner.

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While winning a Grammy certainly adds value to a musician's career, it is just another award according to several artists, and does not really determine or measure the success of an artist's career. Grammy-winning artist Ed Sheeran once told BBC, "Forget awards shows". Keeping that in mind, here's a list of 10 legendary musicians who have never won a Grammy but are wildly successful.

1. Bob Marley

The age of Reggae may have passed but everyone knows Bob Marley. Surprisingly, the legend, who brought Reggae music to the world of mainstream pop, making way for several bands and musicians, was never even nominated for a Grammy award. He has however delivered hits including 'No Woman No Cry', 'Buffalo Soldier' and 'Rat Race', selling over 75 million records worldwide.

Reggae singer-songwriter Bob Marley (1945 - 1981), in concert. (Photo by Gary Merrin/Getty Images) — Reggae singer-songwriter Bob Marley (1945 - 1981), in concert (Photo by Gary Merrin/Getty Images)

2. Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg (Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr) is known for a lot of things, his witty commentaries, his love for marijuana and the occasional humor-filled appearances on TV shows. However, what made Snoop a real star is his music. With hit albums including 'The Doggfather' and 'Reincarnated', Snoop has had 17 Grammy nominations to his name but is yet to take home an award.

Snoop Dogg performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. — Snoop Dogg performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

3. ABBA

ABBA's songs that include the likes of 'I have a Dream', 'Thank you for the Music' and 'Dancing Queen' continue to remain favorites across the world. However, despite getting being nominated at the 2023 Grammys for Album of The Year, 'The Winner Takes it All' composers are definitely winners in their own rights and have it all, except for a Grammy Award.

Pop group Abba holding their golden discs. From l to r; Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Bjorn Ulvaeus. A Swedish group except for Anni-Frid (Frida) who is Norwegian. — Pop group Abba holding their golden discs. From l to r; Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Bjorn Ulvaeus (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

4. Diana Ross

Diana Ross has entertained audiences for over five decades and in 2012 was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by The Recording Academy. However, despite being nominated on 12 occasions, she is yet to win a Grammy.

Diana Ross performs during during the BBC Platinum Party at the Palace, as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, on June 4, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. — Diana Ross performs during during the BBC Platinum Party at the Palace, as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, on June 4, 2022 in London, England (Photo by Humphrey Nemar - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

5. Jimi Hendrix

Often called the "God of Guitar" who, till today, continues to inspire people to pick up the guitar, never won a Grammy Award during his lifetime. However, doing things that were unimaginable at the time, and earning applause and respect from the likes of Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and Joe Satriani did eventually earn him a Grammy Award, albeit posthumously.

American musician Jimi Hendrix (1942 - 1970) performs onstage, late 1960s. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images) — American musician Jimi Hendrix (1942 - 1970) performs onstage, late 1960s (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

6. Queen

Portraying Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in the critically acclaimed 'Bohemian Rhapsody', might have won Rami Malik an Oscar in the Best Actor category, but the band, whose song 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is considered by many as the greatest rock song ever written, never won a Grammy during their active years. In 2018, Queen was given a Lifetime Achievement Award, and their album 'A Night At The Opera' was inducted into the Grammys Hall Of Fame.

British rock group Queen at Les Ambassadeurs, where they were presented with silver, gold and platinum discs for sales in excess of one million of their hit single 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. The band are, from left to right, John Deacon, Freddie Mercury (Frederick Bulsara, 1946 - 1991), Roger Taylor and Brian May. — British rock group Queen at Les Ambassadeurs, where they were presented with silver, gold and platinum discs for sales in excess of one million of their hit single 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

7. Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey has, in her own right, given alt-pop a different texture with her mellifluous voice. Despite six Grammy nominations and her album 'Norman F*****g Rockwell!' debuting at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart, Rey is yet to bag her first Grammy Award.

Lana Del Rey accepts the Decade Award onstage during attends Variety's Hitmakers Brunch presented by Peacock | Girls5eva on December 04, 2021 in Downtown Los Angeles. — Lana Del Rey accepts the Decade Award onstage during attends Variety's Hitmakers Brunch presented by Peacock | Girls5eva on December 04, 2021 in Downtown Los Angeles (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Variety)

8. Guns N' Roses

From setting a trend in the world of rock to their well-known rivalry with Nirvana, Guns N' Roses has ruled the '90s. However, despite selling 100 million records worldwide, and being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, they have never won a Grammy.

Inductees (L-R) Gilbert Clarke, Matt Sorum, Duff McKagan, Slash and Steven Adler of Guns N' Roses, perform onstage during the 27th Annual Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 14, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. — Inductees (L-R) Gilbert Clarke, Matt Sorum, Duff McKagan, Slash and Steven Adler of Guns N' Roses, perform onstage during the 27th Annual Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 14, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

9. Arctic Monkeys

With hits including 'Do I Wanna Know' and 'I Wanna Be Yours', Arctic Monkeys is not just known for their iconic musical style, but is also a favorite among lyric writers. To date, they remain among the best-ever alternate rock bands, and have six Grammy nominations to their name, but are yet to win their first award.

Arctic Monkeys perform onstage during day 3 of Lollapalooza Chile 2019 at parque O'higgins on March 31, 2019 in Santiago, Chile. — Arctic Monkeys perform onstage during day 3 of Lollapalooza Chile 2019 at parque O'higgins on March 31, 2019 in Santiago, Chile (Photo by Dragomir Yankovic/Getty Images)

10. Robbie Williams

Despite selling over 75 million records worldwide and delivering smash hits including 'Angels', 'Rock DJ' and 'She's the won', and having the maximum number of Brit Awards ever, Williams has never won a Grammy Award. He, however, has two nominations, albeit not for his solo songs.