The BRIT Awards 1997

Girl power and all that. Ben Elton took the reins at Earls Court on 24th February 1997.

This post is part of a series about the history of the BRIT Awards. You can read about the 1996 ceremony here, and the 1998 ceremony here.

Best British Album

Presented by Zoë Ball. Nominees:

• Kula Shaker – K
• Lighthouse Family – Ocean Drive
• Manic Street Preachers – Everything Must Go
• George Michael – Older
• Ocean Colour Scene – Moseley Shoals

Winner: Manic Street Preachers

Best British Dance Act

Presented by Samantha Fox. Nominees:

• The Chemical Brothers
• Jamiroquai
• Mark Morrison
• The Prodigy
• Underworld

Winner: The Prodigy

Best British Female

Presented by Naomi Campbell. Nominees:

• Dina Carroll
• Gabrielle
• Donna Lewis
• Louise
• Eddi Reader

Winner: Gabrielle

Best British Group

Presented by Colin Jackson and Vinnie Jones. Nominees:

• Kula Shaker
• Lightning Seeds
• Manic Street Preachers
• Ocean Colour Scene
• Spice Girls

Winner: Manic Street Preachers

Best British Male

Presented by Elton John. Nominees:

• Mick Hucknall
• George Michael
• Mark Morrison
• Sting
• Tricky

Winner: George Michael

Best British Newcomer

Voted for by listeners of BBC Radio 1. Presented by Jo Whiley. Nominees:

• Alisha’s Attic
• Ash
• Babybird
• The Bluetones
• Kula Shaker
• Lighthouse Family
• Longpigs
• Mansun
• Mark Morrison
• Skunk Anansie
• Space
• Spice Girls

Winner: Kula Shaker

Best British Producer

Presented by Sharleen Spiteri from Texas. Nominees:

• Absolute and Richard Stannard
• Mike Hedges
• Hugh Jones
• John Leckie
• Tricky

Winner: John Leckie

Best British Single

Voted for by listeners of independent radio. Presented by Mrs. Merton. Nominees:

• Babybird – You’re Gorgeous
• Kula Shaker – Tattva
• Lighthouse Family – Lifted
• Manic Street Preachers – A Design for Life
• George Michael – Fastlove
• Mark Morrison – Return of the Mack
• Oasis – Don’t Look Back in Anger
• The Prodigy – Firestarter
• Spice Girls – Wannabe
• Underworld – Born Slippy

Winner: Spice Girls

Best British Video

Presented by Frank Skinner. Voted for by viewers of VH-1. Nominees:

• The Chemical Brothers – Setting Sun
• Dodgy – Good Enough
• Jamiroquai – Virtual Insanity
• Manic Street Preachers – A Design for Life
• George Michael – Fastlove
• Orbital – The Box
• The Prodigy – Breathe
• The Prodigy – Firestarter
• Spice Girls – Say You’ll Be There
• Spice Girls – Wannabe

Winner: Spice Girls – Say You’ll Be There

Best International Female

Presented by Eddie Izzard. Nominees:

• Toni Braxton
• Neneh Cherry
• Sheryl Crow
• Celine Dion
• Joan Osborne

Winner: Sheryl Crow

Best International Group

Presented by Lennox Lewis. Nominees:

• Boyzone
• The Fugees
• The Presidents of the United States of America
• R.E.M.
• Smashing Pumpkins

Winner: The Fugees

Best International Male

Nominees:

• Bryan Adams
• Babyface
• Beck
• Robert Miles
• Prince

Winner: Beck

Best International Newcomer

Presented by Gary Barlow from Take That and Louise from Eternal. Nominees:

• Fun Lovin’ Criminals
• Robert Miles
• Joan Osborne
• The Presidents of the United States of America
• The Tony Rich Project

Winner: Robert Miles

Best Soundtrack / Cast Recording

Presented by Lenny Henry. Nominees:

• Madonna / Various Artists – Evita
• Chris Rea – La Passione
• Various Artists – Dangerous Minds
• Various Artists – Mission: Impossible
• Various Artists – Trainspotting

Winner: Trainspotting

Freddie Mercury Award

Winner: Elton John for Candle in the Wind 1996

International Sales Award

Winner: Spice Girls

Outstanding Contribution

Presented by Tim Rice.

Winner: Bee Gees

Performances

• Bee Gees – Medley
• Sheryl Crow – Everyday is a Winding Road
• The Fugees – Killing Me Softly
• Manic Street Preachers – A Design for Life
• Mark Morrison – Return of the Mack
• Prince – Emancipation
• Diana Ross and Jamiroquai – Upside Down
• Skunk Anansie – Teenage Kicks
• Spice Girls – Wannabe / Who Do You Think You Are?

Further Reading / Viewing

• 1997 on brits.co.uk
  
• 1997 BRIT Awards on Wikipedia
• The Spice Girls interviewed at the preview
• Zoë Ball interviews The Spice Girls and then Lennox Lewis and Frank Skinner backstage
• Manic Street Preachers interviewed by BBC Radio 1

Advertisements