Ah yes, the year in which Jarvis Cocker found Michael Jackson‘s pretentious performance of Earth Song a little over the top. Chris Evans was the host at Earls Court in London, on 19th February 1996.
This post is part of a series about the history of the BRIT Awards. You can read about the 1995 ceremony here, and the 1997 ceremony in a couple of days’ time.
Best British Album
Presented by Lenny Kravitz. Nominees:
- Blur – The Great Escape
- Oasis – (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
- Pulp – Different Class
- Radiohead – The Bends
- Paul Weller – Stanley Road
Winner: Oasis
Best British Dance Act
Presented by Vic Reeves, Bob Mortimer and Ulrika Jonsson. Nominees:
- Eternal
- Leftfield
- M People
- Massive Attack
- Tricky
Winner: Massive Attack
Best British Female
Presented by Tina Turner. Nominees:
- Joan Armatrading
- PJ Harvey
- Annie Lennox
- Shara Nelson
- Vanessa-Mae
Winner: Annie Lennox
Best British Group
Presented by Pete Townshend from The Who. Nominees:
- Blur
- Lightning Seeds
- Oasis
- Pulp
- Radiohead
Winner: Oasis
Best British Male
Presented by Iggy Pop. Nominees:
- Edwyn Collins
- Van Morrison
- Jimmy Nail
- Tricky
- Paul Weller
Winner: Paul Weller
Best British Newcomer
Presented by Robbie Williams. Nominees:
- Black Grape
- Cast
- Elastica
- Supergrass
- Tricky
Winner: Supergrass
Best British Producer
Nominees:
- Brian Eno
- Nellee Hooper
- John Leckie
- Owen Morris and Noel Gallagher
- Stephen Street
Winner: Brian Eno
Best British Single
Presented by Jo Whiley. Nominees:
- Blur – Country House
- Edwyn Collins – A Girl Like You
- Everything But the Girl – Missing
- Annie Lennox – No More I Love You’s
- Oasis – Roll with It
- Oasis – Wonderwall
- Pulp – Disco 2000
- Simply Red – Fairground
- Supergrass – Alright
- Take That – Back for Good
Winner: Take That
Best British Video
Presented by Michael Hutchence from INXS. Nominees:
- Blur – Country House
- Blur – The Universal
- Massive Attack – Protection
- Oasis – Wonderwall
- Pulp – Common People
- Radiohead – Just
- Rolling Stones – Like a Rolling Stone
- Simply Red – Fairground
- Supergrass – Alright
- Take That – Back for Good
Winner: Oasis
Best International Female
Presented by Kylie Minogue. Nominees:
- Björk
- Mariah Carey
- Celine Dion
- kd lang
- Alanis Morissette
Winner: Björk
Best International Group
Presented by Celine Dion. Nominees:
- Bon Jovi
- Foo Fighters
- Garbage
- Green Day
- TLC
Winner: Bon Jovi
Best International Male
Nominees:
- The Artist Formerly Known as Prince
- Coolio
- Lenny Kravitz
- Meat Loaf
- Neil Young
Winner: Prince
Best International Newcomer
Presented by Martin Clunes and Neil Morrissey. Nominees:
- Tina Arena
- Boyzone
- Foo Fighters
- Garbage
- Alanis Morissette
Winner: Alanis Morissette
Best Soundtrack / Cast Recording
Nominees:
- James Horner / London Symphony Orchestra – Braveheart
- Various Artists – Batman Forever
- Various Artists – Muriel’s Wedding
- Various Artists – Natural Born Killers
- Various Artists – Waiting to Exhale
Winner: Braveheart
Artist of a Generation
Meaningless special award presented by Bob Geldof.
Winner: Michael Jackson
The Freddie Mercury Award
Presented by Roger Taylor from Queen.
Winner: The Help album for the charity War Child. Collected by Brian Eno and Thom Yorke from Radiohead.
Outstanding Contribution
Presented by, you know, Tony Blair from off of the Conservative Labour Party.
Winner: David Bowie
Performances
- David Bowie and Pet Shop Boys – Hallo Spaceboy
- Michael Jackson – Earth Song (featuring Jarvis Cocker on bottom)
- Alanis Morissette – Hand in My Pocket
- Pulp – Sorted for E’s and Wizz
- Simply Red – Fairground
- Take That – How Deep is Your Love
Further Reading / Viewing
- 1996 on brits.co.uk
- 1996 BRIT Awards on Wikipedia
- Video of highlights
- Kylie Minogue interviewed backstage
- ITN coverage of Jarvis Cocker
- Jarvis Cocker interviewed later by TFI Friday
Edit: this piece originally omitted Annie Lennox’s nomination for Best British Single. Incidentally, my notes from 1996 also list Cast as nominated for Best British Video (for Alright) instead of Supergrass, but I suspect this is an error.
