Jethro Tull Beat Metallica for Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Grammy – Moments That Nearly Destroyed Rock

In 1988, metal was poised to finally make the leap from the shadowy fringes of music into the critical mainstream when Metallica were nominated for a Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Performance. But in one of the most incredible upsets in Grammy history, the award instead went to British prog-rockers Jethro Tull.

Fortunately, the incident didn't permanently damage Metallica, who turned in a slightly more mainstream direction with their next album and have gone on to become the most successful rock act of their generation. But still -- what if James Hetfield had taken up the flute in an attempt to chase Tull' critical success? Where would we all be then, huh?

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