1996 BRIT Awards

Brit Awards 1996
Date19 February 1996
VenueEarls Court
Hosted byChris Evans
Television/radio coverage
NetworkITV
← 1995 · Brit Awards · 1997 →

Brit Awards 1996 was the 16th edition of the Brit Awards, an annual pop music awards ceremony in the United Kingdom. It was organised by the British Phonographic Industry and took place on 19 February 1996 at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London.

Performances

Winners and nominees

British Album of the Year British Producer of the Year
British Single of the Year British Video of the Year
British Male Solo Artist British Female Solo Artist
British Group British Breakthrough Act
British Dance Act Soundtrack/Cast Recording
International Male Solo Artist International Female Solo Artist
International Group International Breakthrough Act

Outstanding Contribution to Music

Freddie Mercury Award

Artist of a Generation

Notable moments

Michael Jackson and Jarvis Cocker

Michael Jackson was given a special Artist of a Generation award. At the ceremony he accompanied his single "Earth Song" with a stage show, culminating with Jackson as a 'Christ-like figure' surrounded by children. Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker mounted the stage in what he would later claim as protest at this portion of the performance. Cocker ran across the stage, lifting his shirt and pointing his (clothed) bottom in Jackson's direction. Cocker was subsequently questioned by the police on suspicion of causing injury towards three of the children in Jackson's performance, who were now on stage. No criminal proceedings followed. It was later alleged that someone in Jackson's entourage hurt the children.[1]

Oasis and Blur

1996 saw the height of a well-documented feud between Britpop rivals Oasis and Blur. The differing styles of the bands, coupled with their prominence within the Britpop movement, led the British media to seize upon the rivalry between the bands. Both factions played along, with the Gallaghers taunting Blur at the ceremony by singing a vulgar rendition of "Parklife" when they collected their "Best British Band" award.

Cut moments

Oasis and Michael Hutchence

INXS frontman Michael Hutchence presented the British video award to Oasis, whose guitarist Noel Gallagher mocked Hutchence upon receiving the award, by sneering, ″Hasbeens shouldn't give awards to gonnabes″,[2] which according to musician and producer Danny Saber upset Hutchence.[3] This inspired Hutchence to add the lyrics ″I'm better than Oasis″ to INXS' single Elegantly Wasted, released the following year. Hutchence committed suicide later that year.

References

  1. ^ Doherty, Niall (19 February 2021). "Bum rush the show!: Jarvis Cocker's Britpop celebrity moment". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  2. ^ "As not seen on TV". Independent.co.uk. 22 October 2011. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Michael Hutchence - the Oasis Incident - YouTube". YouTube. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020.

External links