The Grammy Awards ceremony has been ongoing for almost 65 years. Held to honor the musical accomplishments of performers, the Grammys began in 1959 when the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARA) held its first show. First televised in 1971, they have honored recording artists from numerous genres and have added additional categories since its inception. The awards are the most prestigious in the music industry and recognize the achievements of performers, songwriters and composers, production personnel, and others in the recorded music field.
Commercial success doesn’t always equate to Grammy recognition, though. There are at least 25 musical acts that have sold more than 22 million records but have never won a Grammy. These performers represent various rock ‘n’ roll subgenres as well as rap, country, and pop. Some may well have released some of the 100 best-selling albums of all time.)
By reviewing data on album sales from the Recording Industry Association of America and data on Grammy history from The Recording Academy, current as of February 2023, 24/7 Tempo determined the best-selling groups and solo artists who have never won a Grammy. Musical acts that have never received a Grammy were ranked based on certified U.S. album sales as of February 2023. Data on sales by album are also from the RIAA.
Although many of these performers are all members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – Queen, the Beach Boys, the Cars, Def Leppard, Jimi Hendrix, Rush, Journey, and Creedence Clearwater Revival – they have never won a Grammy. Rush has been thwarted seven times. Grammy voters aren’t necessarily fond of arena rockers either, such as Foreigner who have failed to cop a trophy.
The same lack of distinction holds true for country stars Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, and Garth Brooks. In Keith’s case, he’s been nominated seven times but has come up empty. (These are the best-selling country music albums of all time.) Boy bands have failed to find favor with Grammy voters as well. NSYNC and Backstreet Boys share the ignominy of the most nominations of any act on our list – eight – without taking home a Grammy.
Here are the best-selling musicians who have never won a Grammy
25. Heart
- Certified album sales: 22.5 million units
- Best-selling album: Heart (1985)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 4 nominations
24. The Beach Boys
- Certified album sales: 22.5 million units
- Best-selling album: Sounds of Summer: The Very Best of The Beach Boys (2003)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 4 nominations
23. Jimmy Buffett
- Certified album sales: 23.0 million units
- Best-selling album: Songs You Know By Heart (1985)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 2 nominations
22. Jimi Hendrix
- Certified album sales: 23.0 million units
- Best-selling album: Are You Experienced (1967)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 1 nomination
21. The Cars
- Certified album sales: 23.5 million units
- Best-selling album: Greatest Hits (1985)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 6 nominations
20. Kid Rock
- Certified album sales: 23.5 million units
- Best-selling album: Devil Without A Cause (1998)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 5 nominations
19. Nickelback
- Certified album sales: 24.0 million units
- Best-selling album: All The Right Reasons (2005)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 5 nominations
18. R.E.O. Speedwagon
- Certified album sales: 24.5 million units
- Best-selling album: Hi Infidelity (1980)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 1 nomination
17. ZZ Top
- Certified album sales: 25.0 million units
- Best-selling album: Eliminator (1983)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 3 nominations
16. Mötley Crüe
- Certified album sales: 25.0 million units
- Best-selling album: Dr. Feelgood (1989)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 3 nominations
15. Toby Keith
- Certified album sales: 25.0 million units
- Best-selling album: Shock ‘N Y’All (2003)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 7 nominations
14. Rush
- Certified album sales: 26.0 million units
- Best-selling album: Moving Pictures (1981)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 7 nominations
13. Mannheim Steamroller
- Certified album sales: 28.0 million units
- Best-selling album: Christmas (1984)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 0 nominations
12. NSYNC
- Certified album sales: 28.0 million units
- Best-selling album: No Strings Attached (2000)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 8 nominations
11. Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Certified album sales: 28.0 million units
- Best-selling album: Chronicle: 20 Greatest Hits (1976)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 0 nominations
10. Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Certified album sales: 28.5 million units
- Best-selling album: Skynyrd’s Innyrds (1989)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 0 nominations
9. Boston
- Certified album sales: 31.0 million units
- Best-selling album: Boston (1976)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 1 nomination
8. Kenny Chesney
- Certified album sales: 35.0 million units
- Best-selling album: When The Sun Goes Down (2004)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 6 nominations
7. Def Leppard
- Certified album sales: 35.5 million units
- Best-selling album: Hysteria (1987)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 0 nominations
6. Tupac Shakur
- Certified album sales: 36.5 million units
- Best-selling album: Greatest Hits (1998)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 6 nominations
5. Backstreet Boys
- Certified album sales: 37.0 million units
- Best-selling album: Backstreet Boys (1996)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 8 nominations
4. Foreigner
- Certified album sales: 38.0 million units
- Best-selling album: Records (1982)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 3 nominations
3. Queen
- Certified album sales: 43.0 million units
- Best-selling album: Greatest Hits (1981)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 4 nominations
2. Guns N’ Roses
- Certified album sales: 44.5 million units
- Best-selling album: Appetite For Destruction (1987)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 3 nominations
1. Journey
- Certified album sales: 49.0 million units
- Best-selling album: Greatest Hits (1988)
- Grammy history: 0 wins, 1 nomination