The first couple of years of the Q Awards seem to have been largely forgotten by the internet, falling into that early 90s gap before everything was reported and recorded. With this in mind, here’s everything I could find out about the first few years of the awards…
1990
The inaugural Q Awards were held in October 1990. This much is beyond dispute. Apart from that, though, it isn’t easy to find information about what actually happened.
Best Album
Winner: World Party for Goodbye Jumbo
Best Reissue / Compilation
Winner: Beach Boys for Pet Sounds
Best Live Act
Winner: Rolling Stones
Best Act in the World Today
Winner: U2
Best New Act
Winner: They Might Be Giants
Best Producer
Winner: Paul Oakenfold / Steve Osborne
Songwriter Award
Winner: Prince
Merit Award
Winner: Paul McCartney
1991
October 1991 saw the second ceremony, with the following winners:
Best album
Winner: R.E.M. for Out of Time
Best live act
Winner: Simple Minds
Best Act in the world today
Winner: R.E.M. / U2
Best new act
Winner: Seal
Best producer
Winner: Trevor Horn
Songwriter award
Winner: Richard Thompson
Merit award
Winner: Lou Reed
1992
In October 1992 the third awards ceremony took place. Here’s a picture of Brett Anderson out of Suede at the awards.
BEST ALBUM
Winner: R.E.M. for Automatic for the People
Best reissue / compilation
Winner: Bob Marley for Songs of Freedom
BEST LIVE ACT
Winner: Crowded House
BEST ACT IN THE WORLD TODAY
Winner: U2
BEST NEW ACT
Winner: Tori Amos
BEST PRODUCER
Winner: Daniel Lanois / Peter Gabriel / The Orb
SONGWRITER AWARD
Winner: Neil Finn
Q Inspiration award
Winner: B.B. King
MERIT AWARD
Winner: Led Zeppelin
1993
In October 1993 the fourth awards ceremony took place. Here’s a picture of Brett Anderson again, this time with Morrissey.
BEST ALBUM
Winner: Sting for Ten Summoner’s Tales
BEST REISSUE / COMPILATION
Winner: Beach Boys for Good Vibrations
BEST LIVE ACT
Winner: Neil Young
BEST ACT IN THE WORLD TODAY
Winner: U2
BEST NEW ACT
Winner: Suede
BEST PRODUCER
Winner: Flood / Brian Eno / The Edge
SONGWRITER AWARD
Winner: Neil Finn
Q INSPIRATION AWARD
Winner: Donald Fagen
MERIT AWARD
Winner: Elton John
Epilogue
It would probably help if I had a copy of Q Magazine to hand, so I could tell you a little more about what happened, but unfortunately all my back issues are stored away somewhere half way round the world. I’ll report back, some day in the future…
Music for stowaways 
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