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?
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