| 26th Annual Grammy Awards | |
| Date: | February 28, 1984 |
| Location: | Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles |
| Most Awards: | Michael Jackson (8) |
| Most Nominations: | Michael Jackson (12) |
| Host: | John Denver |
| Network: | CBS |
| Ratings: | 51.67 million viewers (record)[1] |
| Previous: | 25th |
| Main: | Grammy Awards |
| Next: | 27th |
The 26th Annual Grammy Awards were held on February 28, 1984, at Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, and were broadcast live on American television. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the year 1983. Michael Jackson, who had been recovering from scalp burns sustained due to an accident that occurred during the filming of a Pepsi commercial, won a record eight awards during the show.[2] [3] It is notable for garnering the largest Grammy Award television audience ever with 51.67 million viewers.[4]
Album of the Year and Record of the Year went to Michael Jackson for Thriller and "Beat It", and Song of the Year went to The Police for "Every Breath You Take".
The 26th Grammy Awards had the highest ratings in the awarding body's history with 51.67 million viewers, a record unmatched as of, and is the third most watched live awards show in U.S. television history (after the 1983 and 1998 editions of the Academy Awards).[1] Donna Summer opened the show with "She Works Hard for the Money", and a tribute to working women.
| Artist(s) | Song(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| Donna Summer | "She Works Hard for the Money" | |
| Big Country | "In a Big Country" | |
| Bonnie Tyler | "Total Eclipse of the Heart" | |
| Chuck Berry with George Thorogood & Stevie Ray Vaughan | "Maybellene" "Roll Over Beethoven" | |
| Eurythmics | "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" | |
| Phil Driscoll | "Amazing Grace" | |
| Albertina Walker | "Spread the Word" | |
| Linda Ronstadt | "What's New?" | |
| Walter Charles | "We Are What We Are" / "I Am What I Am" (from La Cage aux Folles) | |
| Herbie Hancock | "Rockit" | |
| The Oak Ridge Boys | "Love Song" | |
| John Denver & a Muppet | Dialogue tune | |
| Sheena Easton | "Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair)" | |
| Wynton Marsallis with orchestra and quartet | "A Finale" | |
| Irene Cara | "Flashdance... What a Feeling" |