7 of the BRIT Awards' most memorable moments 🎶
There has been some drama over the years!
Last updated 11th May 2021
The BRIT Awards always provides the potential for chaos. A cocktail of complimentary drinks, the biggest British music stars, industry bosses and huge egos often serves up some truly memorable moments.
From Madonna to Bowie, we take a look at some of the ceremony's most memorable moments.
Madonna’s trip down the stairs, 2015
We’ve watched this back too many times. Madonna took a tumble at the BRITs in 2015 whilst performing her single ‘Living For Love’, falling down the stairs after a wardrobe malfunction meant her dramatic cape didn’t come off completely. The Queen of Pop kept her cool though, despite being the star of one of the ceremony’s biggest cringeworthy moments in history.
Freddie Mercury’s last public appearance, 1990
The 11th edition of the annual music awards on 18th February 1990 at London’s Earls Court saw the final public appearance of music superstar and national treasure, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. The band accepted their award for Outstanding Contribution to Music with guitarist Brian May making the acceptance speech alongside an unusally quiet Freddie. Although rumours about his health had circulated for some time, it was only his fellow Queen bandmates who knew the extent of Freddie’s illness. Freddie Mercury passed away on 24th November 1991.
Spice Girls burst on to the scene with Geri's iconic Union Jack dress, 1997
Perhaps the most iconic BRITS performance of all time? Then up-and-coming girl band, the Spice Girls first performed at the BRITS in 1997. The performance catapulted the five normal girls to stardom, becoming the biggest girl group on the planet. Performing a mash-up of ‘Wannabe’ and ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ the performance went down in history for the dance moves, miming and THAT Union Jack dress. Prior to the performance, Geri decided that the black Gucci dress she had been given was too boring and asked her sister to stitch on a Union Jack tea towel to celebrate being British! Years later, the garment went on to sell for over £40,000 at auction. Girl Power!
Robbie Williams vs Liam Gallagher: Robbie stirs it up, 2000
Take That star Robbie Williams and Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher weren’t the best of friends. A series of insults were thrown around between the pair in the press prior to the event and it all came to a head at the ceremony in 2000. Presented by The Royle Family stars Craig Cash and the late Caroline Aherne, Robbie picked up his award for Best British Single before challenging the younger Gallagher brother to a fight. Like Caroline, our money was on the Oasis frontman.
Prince blows Earls Court away, 2006
The surprise performance by the late icon blew the BRITS audience of artists, industry heads and music fans alike away. Playing a four song set of 'Te Amo Corazón,' 'Fury,' 'Purple Rain' and 'Let's Go Crazy’, the incredible Prince was joined by his former bandmates Sheila E and Wendy and Lisa.
Battle for Britpop: Oasis vs Blur, 1996
If you could sum up the 90s, this would be it. Liam swaggering on stage in a statement fur coat and Noel spouting nonsense to try and compete with his younger brother. The Mancs made it their mission to be as chaotic as possible on stage when accepting their awards for British Album of the Year, British Video of the Year and British Group in 1996. They took full advantage of the BRIT’s complimentary drinks and who can blame them?
Politician Tony Blair turns his hand to presenting awards, 1996
No, we’re not sure why either. Amazingly, Oasis’ drunken antics on stage weren’t even the most questionable moments of the night. Every year, the BRITs recognise one artist with the Outstanding Contribution to Music award and in 1996 the Starman himself David Bowie was the recipient. Tony Blair, who would later go on to a landslide win at that year’s General Election, capitalised on the popularity of Britpop and was keen to align himself with the booming music scene. He presented Bowie the award after a typically political speech.
We can't wait for this year's BRIT Awards!
Take a look at some of the biggest BRITS winners:
George Michael
George Michael took home three awards as a solo artist. British Male Solo Artist in 1988, British Album of the Year in 1991 and British Male Solo Artist in 1997.
Queen
Queen won three BRIT awards! British Single of the Year in 1997 for 'Bohemian Rhapsody', Outstanding Contribution to Music in 1990 and British Single of the Year in 1991 for 'These Are The Days of our Lives'.
Paul Weller
Paul Weller has won four BRIT awards. The former member of The Jam has won British Male Solo Artist in 1995, 1996 and 2009 and Outstanding Contribution to Music in 2006.
The Beatles
The Beatles have won four awards. In 1977, they won British Album of the Year for 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band', British Group and Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 1983, they won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Music again.
Elton John
Elton John has won five awards, including the first ever BRITs Icon Award in 2013! In 1986, Elton won his first BRIT award for Outstanding Contribution to Music and he won the same award later in 1995! In 1991 he took the top prize for Best British Male and in 1998 he won the Freddie Mercury award.
The Spice Girls
The Spice Girls (AKA Mel C, Emma Bunton, Mel B, Victoria Beckham and Geri Horner) have won five BRIT awards. Best British Video, Best British Single, Best Selling British Album Act, Outstanding Contribution to Music and Brits Performance of 30 Years!
Blur
Damon Albarn and co have won five BRIT Awards. In 1995, the band stormed the ceremony scoring a total of four awards! They won award for British Group, British Album of the Year for 'Parklife', British Single of the Year and Best Music Video for 'Parklife'. In 2012, they were awarded the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Music.
Phil Collins
Drummer Phil Collins has won a grand total of six BRIT awards. He has won the award for British Male Artist three times, Best British Single, Best British Album and the gong for Soundtrack/Cast Recording in 1989 for the Buster soundtrack.
Oasis
Oasis equal Phil Collins' total with six BRIT Awards. In 1995 they won British Breakthrough Act after bursting on to the music scene with debut album 'Definitely Maybe'. They took home three awards in 1996 for British Video of the Year, British Album of the Year and British Group. They received the Outstanding Contribution to Music award in 2007 and British Album of 30 Years in 2010 for '(What's The Story) Morning Glory?'
Davie Bowie
Legendary music pioneer, the late Davie Bowie also picked up six awards during his career. Bowie won British Male Solo Artist three times, the last of which posthumously in 2017 alongside British Album of the Year for 'Blackstar'. In 1996, he won the Outstanding Contribution to Music and in 2016 the Brits Icon Award.
Prince
Prince won an incredible seven BRIT Awards during his career. He won the Soundtrack/Cast Recording prize twice for 'Purple Rain' and 'Batman'. He won Best International Artist in 1985, 1992 and 1993 as well as Best International Male Solo Artist in 1995 and 1996.
U2
U2 have also won seven BRIT Awards! They have won the award for Best International Group an incredible five times, Most Successful Live Act and Outstanding Contribution to Music.
Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox has won eight awards. She has picked up the prize for British Female Solo Artist an amazing six times! She has also won the British Album of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to Music with Eurythmics.
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