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…
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