February 27 -1980 - Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance - Bob Dylan

The 22nd Grammy Awards show was held on February 27 1980, at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Among those enjoying a particularly meaningful and memorable night were the Doobie Brothers who won Record Of The Year for “What A Fool Believes,” as well Best Pop Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus for Minute By Minute, while “What A Fool Believes” also prevailed in the Song Of The Year category for writers Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. Michael Jackson also won his first GRAMMY (Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male, for “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough”) and Bob Dylan won his second — Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male, for “Gotta Serve Somebody.” Dylan’s performance of the song was the best sort of fire-and-brimstone rock gospel — a religious and musical experience in the best possible way. Billy Joel won Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, for his work on 52nd Street.

It might seem improbable, but it took until 1980 for Bob Dylan to win his first Grammy*. Even more improbably, it came for the vocal performance on “Gotta Serve Somebody”. That Dylan would have never won as a songwriter but would win as a singer is a shock. That he won for what is about his fortieth best vocal performance is even odder. Well, the Grammys never have been a particularly credible award.

The nominees were: