The Edison Award
Encyclopedia
The Edison music award is an annual Dutch music prize, awarded for outstanding achievements in the music industry. It is one of the oldest music awards in the world, having been presented since 1960.
and the Netherlands' major record companies, featured dozens of acts and went on for hours. In the years that followed, the Grand Gala du Disque became an annual event with legendary status. The 1963 event, which overran by almost two hours, saw Marlene Dietrich
, Sarah Vaughan
and Charles Aznavour
accepting an Edison.
Each year, Edisons were awarded in two main categories: International artists and domestic (Dutch) artists, in various musical styles such as pop, vocal, jazz, instrumental, children and (in the early years) a separate award for French languague music.
The final Grand Gala du Disque was televised in 1974, after which the awards ceremonies became a much more intimate affair. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the ceremonies weren't even televised. During the 1980s, several attempts were made to revive the old Grand Gala format (or a format similar to that of the Oscar and Grammy Award
ceremonies), but due to lack of interest from record companies, artists, the media and broadcasters, none of these initiatives proved successful and long-lasting. The 2011 ceremony, held on 2 October and which featured eight categories, was not televised.
The award itself has also gone through many changes. In the 1960s and early 1970s grew to a (then) record number of 24 categories in 1969. In later years, the number of awards was inconsistent and several categories didn't last longer than a couple of years. From 1974-1976 no Edisons were awarded and in 1977 only Dutch artists were awarded a prize.
While the award lost much of its prestige in the 1980s - due to lack of media coverage and interest from record companies - the number of categories continued to grow to a record number of 35 in 1991. The choices became more progressive, as several award winners were virtually unknown to the general public. In 1991, for instance, no awards were given to best selling and critically lauded albums like Nirvana
's Nevermind
or U2
's Achtung Baby
, but instead lesser known artists like The Riverdogs, Michael Lee Firkins
, rapper Paris
and instrumentalist Jean Marc Zelwer got the prizes.
By the end of the 1990s, the Edison experienced another overhaul, as the prize was split into the Edison Pop and Edison Jazz/World awards (there had always been a separate Edison Classical award ceremony). It also began to focus more on Dutch artists and a number of new categories were introduced, such as 'Best album', 'Best video', 'Best single' and 'Best newcomer'. Each year also featured one or two awards which were directly voted for by the television audiences.
Interest in the Edison has gone up in recent years, although no awards were given in 2006 and 2007. These days, the award is focused on Dutch product only, with several categories such as 'Best male artist', 'Best female artist', 'Best newcomer', 'Best theatre/vocal artist', etc. There is also an annual lifetime achievement award for an artist with a distinguished career.
The Edison award is a bronze replica of a statuette of Thomas Edison, designed by the Dutch sculptor Pieter d'Hont
.
Most wins for international artists
Miles Davis
, Beach Boys, Charles Aznavour
, Emmylou Harris
, Eric Clapton
, Bob James
, Paul Simon
, Phil Collins
, Ry Cooder
, Stevie Wonder
, U2
and Robbie Williams
all had three Edison wins each. (Miles Davis and the Beach Boys were awarded an additional fourth Edison in 1966, but these were later scrapped as the list of winners had been leaked to the press prematurely and no awards were given that year).
Origins
The first Edisons - named after the inventor of the phonograph, Thomas Alva Edison - were awarded in 1960 at the inaugural Grand Gala du Disque, held at the Kurhaus hall in the coastal resort of Scheveningen. The broadcast, which was a joint venture of TV broadcaster AVROAvro
Avro was a British aircraft manufacturer, with numerous landmark designs such as the Avro 504 trainer in the First World War, the Avro Lancaster, one of the pre-eminent bombers of the Second World War, and the delta wing Avro Vulcan, a stalwart of the Cold War.-Early history:One of the world's...
and the Netherlands' major record companies, featured dozens of acts and went on for hours. In the years that followed, the Grand Gala du Disque became an annual event with legendary status. The 1963 event, which overran by almost two hours, saw Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich was a German-American actress and singer.Dietrich remained popular throughout her long career by continually re-inventing herself, professionally and characteristically. In the Berlin of the 1920s, she acted on the stage and in silent films...
, Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Lois Vaughan was an American jazz singer, described by Scott Yanow as having "one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century."...
and Charles Aznavour
Charles Aznavour
Charles Aznavour, OC is an Armenian-French singer, songwriter, actor, public activist and diplomat. Besides being one of France's most popular and enduring singers, he is also one of the best-known singers in the world...
accepting an Edison.
Each year, Edisons were awarded in two main categories: International artists and domestic (Dutch) artists, in various musical styles such as pop, vocal, jazz, instrumental, children and (in the early years) a separate award for French languague music.
Format changes
Through the years, the format for the Edison ceremony has changed several times. The grand old style of the Grand Gala du Disque was deemed old fashioned by the end of the 1960s, as the emphasis in the music business shifted from classical/vocal music to pop and rock. The Grand Galas in the early 1970s featured more pop/rock artists in a more informal setting (although most of them still accompanied by an orchestra).The final Grand Gala du Disque was televised in 1974, after which the awards ceremonies became a much more intimate affair. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the ceremonies weren't even televised. During the 1980s, several attempts were made to revive the old Grand Gala format (or a format similar to that of the Oscar and Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
ceremonies), but due to lack of interest from record companies, artists, the media and broadcasters, none of these initiatives proved successful and long-lasting. The 2011 ceremony, held on 2 October and which featured eight categories, was not televised.
The award itself has also gone through many changes. In the 1960s and early 1970s grew to a (then) record number of 24 categories in 1969. In later years, the number of awards was inconsistent and several categories didn't last longer than a couple of years. From 1974-1976 no Edisons were awarded and in 1977 only Dutch artists were awarded a prize.
While the award lost much of its prestige in the 1980s - due to lack of media coverage and interest from record companies - the number of categories continued to grow to a record number of 35 in 1991. The choices became more progressive, as several award winners were virtually unknown to the general public. In 1991, for instance, no awards were given to best selling and critically lauded albums like Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvāṇa ; ) is a central concept in Indian religions. In sramanic thought, it is the state of being free from suffering. In Hindu philosophy, it is the union with the Supreme being through moksha...
's Nevermind
Nevermind
Nevermind is the second studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 1991. Produced by Butch Vig, Nevermind was the group's first release on DGC Records...
or U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
's Achtung Baby
Achtung Baby
Achtung Baby is the seventh studio album by Irish rock band U2. It was produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, and was released on 19 November 1991 on Island Records. Stung by the criticism of their 1988 release Rattle and Hum, U2 shifted their musical direction to incorporate alternative...
, but instead lesser known artists like The Riverdogs, Michael Lee Firkins
Michael Lee Firkins
Michael Lee Firkins is an electric guitar player whose sound fuses bluegrass, country, blues, and jazz elements into his distorted rock sound. He is noted amongst guitarists for his prolific use of hybrid picking at high speeds....
, rapper Paris
Paris (rapper)
Oscar Jackson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Paris is an American rapper from San Francisco, California, known for his highly charged political and socially conscious lyrics...
and instrumentalist Jean Marc Zelwer got the prizes.
By the end of the 1990s, the Edison experienced another overhaul, as the prize was split into the Edison Pop and Edison Jazz/World awards (there had always been a separate Edison Classical award ceremony). It also began to focus more on Dutch artists and a number of new categories were introduced, such as 'Best album', 'Best video', 'Best single' and 'Best newcomer'. Each year also featured one or two awards which were directly voted for by the television audiences.
Interest in the Edison has gone up in recent years, although no awards were given in 2006 and 2007. These days, the award is focused on Dutch product only, with several categories such as 'Best male artist', 'Best female artist', 'Best newcomer', 'Best theatre/vocal artist', etc. There is also an annual lifetime achievement award for an artist with a distinguished career.
The Edison award is a bronze replica of a statuette of Thomas Edison, designed by the Dutch sculptor Pieter d'Hont
Pieter d'Hont
Pieter d'Hont was a Dutch sculptor.He studied at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam. D'Hont designed the statue of the Edison Award. Most of his works are located in Utrecht, Netherlands.- Gallery :...
.
Figures
From 1960 to 2011, over 750 Edison awards have been handed out. The list of artists with most Edison wins is dominated by Dutch artists with relatively young careers. This is mainly due to the fact that from the late 1990s, it has become much easier to win multiple awards in one year, which in the early days of the award was virtually impossible.- Marco BorsatoMarco BorsatoMarco Borsato is a Dutch singer. He started performing in Italian before switching to Dutch in 1994. He is married to Leontine Ruiters and has three children.-Biography:...
- 13 wins, from 1995 to 2011, including a lifetime achievement award in 2011 and five wins in the 'Best male artist' category. - AnoukAnoukAnouk Teeuwe , professionally known by the mononym Anouk, is a Dutch singer.After being discovered by Golden Earring frontman Barry Hay, Anouk had her breakthrough in the Netherlands in 1997 with the single "Nobody's Wife"...
- 9 wins, from 1998 to 2011, including three Edisons in her debut year (1998) and five awards in the 'Best female artist' category. - Herman van VeenHerman van VeenHermannus Jantinus "Herman" van Veen is a Dutch stage performer, actor, musician and singer/songwriter and author. He is most famous as the creator of the Dutch-Japanese cartoon Alfred J...
- 8 wins, from 1970 to 2010, including a lifetime achievement award in 2010, two awards in the children's category and four in the 'Best male vocal' category. - BløfBløfBLØF is an award-winning four-piece Dutch rock band from Vlissingen, Zeeland, the Netherlands, which has become popular regionally and internationally for its music, its frequent collaborations with bands from other parts of the world, willingness to incorporate other genres into their "sound", and...
- 7 wins, from 2000 to 2009, including five awards for 'Best group'. - Ilse DeLangeIlse DeLangeIlse Annoeska de Lange is a Dutch country and pop singer, better known as Ilse DeLange .-Biography:...
- 6 wins, from 1999 to 2011, including four times as 'Best female artist'.
Most wins for international artists
- Quincy JonesQuincy JonesQuincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
- 5 wins, from 1964 to 1979, in the jazz/instrumental and musical/film categories. - Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloElvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
- 4 wins, from 1978 to 1999. - Cliff RichardCliff RichardSir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
- 4 wins, from 1962 to 1998 (lifetime achievement award). - Barbra StreisandBarbra StreisandBarbra Joan Streisand is an American singer, actress, film producer and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy,...
- 4 wins, from 1964 to 1992.
Miles Davis
Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
, Beach Boys, Charles Aznavour
Charles Aznavour
Charles Aznavour, OC is an Armenian-French singer, songwriter, actor, public activist and diplomat. Besides being one of France's most popular and enduring singers, he is also one of the best-known singers in the world...
, Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
, Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
, Bob James
Bob James
Bob James is the name of:*Bob James , jazz keyboardist, arranger and producer of music*Bob James , former baseball player for the Expos, Tigers, and White Sox...
, Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
, Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
, Ry Cooder
Ry Cooder
Ryland Peter "Ry" Cooder is an American guitarist, singer and composer. He is known for his slide guitar work, his interest in roots music from the United States, and, more recently, his collaborations with traditional musicians from many countries.His solo work has been eclectic, encompassing...
, Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
and Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams
Robert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
all had three Edison wins each. (Miles Davis and the Beach Boys were awarded an additional fourth Edison in 1966, but these were later scrapped as the list of winners had been leaked to the press prematurely and no awards were given that year).