Which band won the first Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance?

Jethro Tull won the first Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance, taking the award in 1989 for Crest of a Knave. The result became one of the most controversial decisions in Grammy history because many observers expected Metallica to win for ...And Justice for All.

The award was originally titled Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental and combined two genres in one category. Jethro Tull’s victory prompted widespread criticism from metal fans and journalists, who argued that the band’s progressive-rock sound did not fit the category.

The Recording Academy responded by separating the genres. Best Hard Rock Performance and Best Metal Performance were introduced at the following ceremony. Metallica won the first standalone Best Metal Performance Grammy in 1990 for “One,” making it easy to confuse Metallica’s later milestone with Jethro Tull’s original victory.