5 iconic moments from the Grammy Awards in the 1980s

On Sunday, February 4, the 66th Grammy Awards will take place. Considered music's biggest night, the awards show is known for its shocking and iconic moments. In the 80s, several noteworthy events occurred at the annual celebration...here are some of the best!

Eurythmics 1984

The new wave music duo of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart became a worldwide success with the Eurythmics single "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)." The song would top Billboard Hot 100 as their first US single. At the Grammys in 1984, there was a bit of a panic when it was about time for the band to play their hit single, and Lennox was nowhere to be found. Little did anyone know she was among them, but the performer chose to dress in drag, complete with mutton chops and was unrecognizable. Lennox has stated this act was in response to those who began questioning her sexuality and androgynous style of dressing.

Heavy Metal 1989

The 1989 Grammys would include a brand new category, Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental. This year's nominees included AC/DC, Jane's Addiction, Iggy Pop, Jethro Tull, and the favorite Metallica. The award was presented by Alice Cooper and Lita Ford, who were just as shocked as everyone else when 60s British rock band Jethro Tull walked away with the win for their album "Crest of a Knave." It was a controversial win as the band was never considered hard rock, especially not heavy metal, but this new album did take the band in a hard rock direction. In 2007, Entertainment Weekly named the win one of the ten biggest upsets in Grammy history.

Guns N Roses 1989

When Guns N Roses first came on the scene, parents everywhere were worried about what would happen to their children who couldn't get enough of their debut album, Appetite for Destruction (1987). During the 1989 awards, the band opted to perform "Patience," a song featured on their second album. The performance showcased guitarist Slash's talents in a bluesy guitar solo and showed a much different side to the band, known for its hard rock sound.

Michael Jackson sings 1988

Michael Jackson took home eight awards in 1984, including a Record of the Year for “Beat It” and Album of the Year for Thriller, but he wouldn't perform at the event until the 30th Grammys in 1988. He wowed the audience with an impressive double performance of "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Man In The Mirror." While he appeared in a very understated state of dress, blue button down, cropped pants, his dance moves were anything but.

Whitney Houston 1989

Whitney Houston brought the entire crowd to their feet with her chill-inducing rendition of "One Moment In Time." The single was written for the 1988 Olympics held in Seoul, South Korea, and was included on the compilation album 1988 Summer Olympics Album: One Moment in Time. This is considered one of Houston's best all-time performances.