Musicians with the most Grammy wins of all time

By Molly McGonigle 8:15am PST, Jan 6, 2020

Music's biggest night is just around the corner: The 2020 Grammys air live from Los Angeles on Jan. 26 on CBS. In anticipation of the Recording Academy's 61st annual award show, Wonderwall.com rounded up a list of stars who have the most Grammy wins. Let's start with Norah Jones! She was an immediate sensation when she released her first solo studio album, "Come Away With Me," in 2002. She took home five Grammys for that album and has gone on to win four more, bringing her total to nine. Who else has nine Grammys? Maybe you've heard of them: Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott, Natalie Cole, Sheryl Crow and the Manhattan Transfer's Janis Siegel. Keep reading for more…

Taylor Swift: 10 Grammys

Taylor Swift has had a stellar career in music thus far. Since she broke onto the scene in 2008, Taylor has gone on to win a total of 10 Grammys. Most recently, in 2016, she won three including for album of the year for "1989" and used her platform to empower females everywhere. "As the first woman to win album of the year twice, I want to say to all the young women out there, there are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or you fame," she said during her acceptance speech, "but if you just focus on the work and you don't let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you're going you'll look around and you will know that it was you and the people who love you who put you there. And that will be the greatest feeling in the world." (Three other female artists — Chaka Khan, Bonnie Raitt and Linda Ronstadt — also each have 10 Grammy wins.)

Foo Fighters: 11 Grammys

Foo Fighters released their self-titled debut album in 1994, but it wasn't until 2000 that they earned their first Grammy nominations (for their music video for "Learn to Fly" and album "There is Nothing Left to Lose"). Since then, Dave Grohl and company have had quite an impressive run, winning a total of 11 Grammys, including four for best rock album. Dave himself has an additional five Grammys — bringing his personal total to 16 — from his work with Nirvana and collaborations with other artists. (Gospel singer Shirley Caesar also has 11 Grammys.)

Dixie Chicks: 12 Grammys

Despite the controversies that have plagued the Dixie Chicks over the years, the band has had a lot of critical and commercial success. They've sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, making them the top-selling female band ever. The Dixie Chicks won seven Grammys for their album "Taking the Long Way" and have won 12 total. Girl power! (Gospel singer CeCe Winans also has 12 Grammys.)

Emmylou Harris: 13 Grammys

Country, folk and Americana artist Emmylou Harris has taken home 13 Grammys in 47 nominations over the decades. Tied with her at 13? Two other female artists: Ella Fitzgerald and Leontyne Price.

Adele: 15 Grammys

Talk about turning heartbreak into gold! Adele's first major studio album, "19," made her an overnight sensation. By the time her next album, "21," was released, she was a bona fide superstar. Over the course of her decade-long career, Adele has won a whopping 10 Grammys — including six in one night at the 2011 Grammys for her work on "21." At the 2017 Grammys, Adele brought home five more awards, including album of the year for "25."

Alicia Keys: 15 Grammys

Alicia Keys burst on to the scene in 2001 with her album "Songs in A Minor" — which garnered her five Grammys in 2002. The former coach on "The Voice" has sold 35 million albums worldwide over her career and has taken home 15 Grammys in total. Pretty impressive if you ask us!

Aretha Franklin: 18 Grammys

Aretha Franklin made history in the music world. She won 18 Grammys plus several special awards from the Recording Academy (including a legend Award, a lifetime achievement Award and a MusiCares Person of the Year honor) throughout her long career. But the most impressive part of her prize history is that she won Grammys for best female R&B vocal performance every single year from 1968 to 1975 — which is a shocking eight years in a row! Aretha got all the respect!

Paul McCartney: 18 Grammys

Paul McCartney has enjoyed tremendous success as both a member of The Beatles and as a solo artist throughout his 60-plus-year career. His 18 Grammys (in 78 nominations) put him near the top of the list for most Grammy wins ever. He also has several of the Recording Academy's special awards including a MusiCares Person of the Year honor as well as two lifetime achievement awards.

Tony Bennett: 18 Grammys

Tony Bennett began his singing career in 1959, so it's not entirely surprising that he's on this list. He won his first Grammy in 1963 for "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" in the best male solo vocal performance category. Since then, Tony has gone on to win even more for a total of 18 Grammys — plus a lifetime achievement award in 2001. What can't this guy do?!

Yo-Yo Ma: 18 Grammys

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma has also racked up quite a few Grammy wins. The former child prodigy earned his first in 1984 for "Bach: The Unaccompanied Cello Suites." In the more than three decades since, Yo-Yo has been a consistent winner, most recently taking home the best world music album Grammy for "Sing Me Home" in 2017. Polka musician Jimmy Sturr also has 18 Grammys to his name.

Bruce Springsteen: 20 Grammys

Bruce Springsteen has sold more than 120 million albums worldwide in his 40-plus-year career. The New Jersey native has a whopping 20 Grammy wins under his belt and has been nominated 50 times! His first win came in 1985 for best rock vocal performance for "Dancing in the Dark" and his most recent win was in 2010 for best solo rock vocal performance for "Working on a Dream." Who else has 20 Grammy wins? Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny and famed composer Henry Mancini.

Vince Gill: 21 Grammys

Vince Gill has been a solo country performer for more than 30 years, so you'd imagine that he'd have a lot of Grammys… but would you guess that he's been nominated 40 times over his entire career?! Vince has taken home 21 Grammys in total — which puts him in a unique position: He's won more than any other male country star… ever!

Kanye West: 21 Grammys

For all the controversy that surrounds Kanye West, you can't argue with his critical success in the music industry. He's sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and taken home 21 Grammys in 69 nominations. This amount of Grammy hardware has made him one of the most decorated musicians ever and the most decorated musician to debut in the 21st century. Not bad, eh?

JAY-Z: 22 Grammys

Talk about a Grammy power couple! JAY-Z has a Grammy-wins record that's almost as impressive as that of his wife, Beyonce (more on her in a minute). The rapper-producer-mogul has been making waves in the music world since 1986 and has spectacularly sold more than 100 million records worldwide. His Grammy success is remarkable — 22 wins in 77 nominations. Jay might have had some problems over the years, but winning Grammys is not one.

U2: 22 Grammys

U2 has been around for a long time and their career has simply been one of the sweetest things. With 170 million albums sold worldwide, 13 major albums and a career spanning four decades, it's easy to see why. Equally impressive, though, is that Bono and company have won a whopping 22 Grammys — which is the most ever for a band. Rock on!

Chick Corea: 22 Grammys

Jazz musician Chick Corea has won an impressive 22 Grammys in 65 nominations over the decades.

Beyonce: 23 Grammys

Beyonce started her career in a girl group, Destiny's Child, and has since established herself as one of the most talented solo singers of a generation. Queen B has been nominated a monumental 70 times and has taken home 23 Grammys. Also impressive? She's the most nominated woman of all time in Grammy history.

John Williams: 24 Grammys

American composer John Williams earned most of his 24 Grammys after crafting some of Hollywood's most memorable film scores including for "Jaws," "Star Wars," "Schindler's List," "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," the "Indiana Jones" series, the first two "Jurassic Park" films and the first three "Harry Potter" films! His most recent win came at the 60th Annual Grammys in 2018 for best arrangement for an instrumental or a cappella song for "Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra from 'Catch Me If You Can.'"

Stevie Wonder: 25 Grammys

Boy wonder! Stevie Wonder began his career as a child and by the time he was in his 20s, the accolades were pouring in. In 1973, the icon won his first Grammy — best rhythm & blues song — for "Superstition." Stevie has won 25 Grammys throughout his career including two for album of the year in 1973 and 1974.

Vladimir Horowitz: 25 Grammys

Russia-born American pianist Vladimir Horowitz was one of the winningest musicians of all time: He has 25 Grammys. Known for his amazing compositions, Vladimir has earned Grammys in every decade from the 1960s to the 1990s and also won the Recording Academy's lifetime achievement award in 1990. He died in 1989.

Pierre Boulez: 26 Grammys

Pierre Boulez won his Grammys doing what he does best: conducting. The French musician conducted the work of many famous 20th century composers such as Bela Bartók, Alban Berg and Claude Debussy. In 2015, Pierre received the Recording Academy's lifetime achievement award. Sadly, he died one year later at age 90.

Alison Krauss: 27 Grammys

Alison Krauss is one of the most impressive women in music! In the almost 40 years she's been performing, Alison has been nominated for 42 Grammys and has won an amazing 27 times! Her first win came in 1991 for best bluegrass recording for "I've Got That Old Feeling," which also gave her the honor of being the second-youngest winner in history at the time. Her 27 wins put her in a unique position: She's tied with Quincy Jones for the most Grammys won by an artist who's living. Alison is also the most awarded female artist in Grammy history.

Quincy Jones: 28 Grammys

Quincy Jones is nothing short of a musical legend. He's worked with the biggest stars in the world, including the late king of pop, Michael Jackson, in a career that spans more than six decades. He can boast 80 — yes, 80! — Grammy nominations over the years. He won his first of 28 Grammys in 1963 for best instrumental arrangement for the song "I Can't Stop Loving You." The legend also took home a special icon award in 1991.

Georg Solti: 31 Grammys

Classical musician Georg Solti holds the record for most Grammy wins of all time. The late music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra won 31 Grammys throughout his critically acclaimed career. The conductor passed away in 1997 at the age of 85 but still remains at the top of the Grammy-wins list.

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