Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 12, 1996

Release #536-96

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Kim Serafin (212) 788-2958


MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES DATE
OF 39th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS
MAYOR IS PRESENTED WITH YANKEE PIN STRIPE GIBSON GUITAR

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, joined by Michael Greene, President/CEO of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS); Peter Lund, President/CEO of CBS, Inc.; Leslie Moonves, President of CBS Entertainment and Executive Vice President of CBS, Inc., announced today that the 39th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on Wednesday February 26, 1997 in Madison Square Garden.

Also attending the event were New York Grammy Host Committee co-chairs Rand V. Araskog, Chairman/CEO of ITT Corporation and Richard Palmese, Sr. Vice President of Promotions for Arista Records.

"I am thrilled to welcome this premiere event of the recording industry back to our City. From opera to classical to rock & roll, jazz, gospel and blues, New York's music scene has something for everyone, just like the Grammy's," said Mayor Giuliani. "New York City is the Capital of the World with more happening, more to do and more to see than anywhere else on the planet. The recording industry is a great part of our strength. Not only are there are more records and more concert tickets sold here than anywhere else in the nation, but we are also one of the biggest producers of music."

"I am also proud to serve as the Honorary Chair of the New York Grammy Host Committee which is working to involve the entire City in the celebration, with a month of promotions and concerts," he continued. "The Grammy Awards have also shown their commitment to New York's children through several programs which open young minds to the wonderful world of music."

NARAS presented Mayor Giuliani with a custom Yankee pin stripe Gibson guitar which the Mayor autographed. The guitar will also be signed by Yankees players and will be auctioned at the annual MusiCares Benefit held each year before the Grammy's.

The Grammy Awards have been in New York City six times in the past two decades. They bring thousands of tourists to the city in addition to millions of dollars in revenue. Both adults and young people benefit from the many Grammy outreach programs, including Grammy in the Schools, Grammy Concert Series for Children and the Grammy All Star Jazz Band.

The role of the New York City Host Committee is to make sure all New Yorkers enjoy the Grammy celebration and the joy of music. The Committee has designated February 1997 to be Grammy Month, and will involve all areas of the City in celebrations and outreach programs.

The Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on CBS to over 160 countries and is expected to reach 1.5 billion viewers.



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