Who won Best New Artist at the first Grammy Awards in 1959?

Bobby Darin won Best New Artist at the first Grammy Awards in 1959.

Darin was recognized after the success of recordings including “Splish Splash” and “Queen of the Hop.” He soon became one of the most versatile American entertainers of his generation, moving between rock and roll, pop standards, folk-influenced material, jazz, and big-band styles.

The Best New Artist award honors an artist who makes a significant breakthrough during the eligibility period. It is not necessarily given to a singer who has never recorded before; eligibility rules have changed over time, and the category can recognize a group or solo artist.

The inaugural award is sometimes confused with the first Grammy awarded to a woman or with the first ceremony’s Album of the Year winner. Those are separate records. Bobby Darin’s victory placed him in the same inaugural group as Domenico Modugno, who won Record and Song of the Year.