TENACIOUS D Wins 'Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance' GRAMMY Award

TENACIOUS D was honored with a Grammy in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 57th annual Grammy Awards, which is being held tonight (Sunday, February 8) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. TENACIOUS D was nominated for its cover version of the DIO classic "The Last In Line", from the "Ronnie James Dio - This Is Your Life" tribute album.

The nominees in the "Best Metal Performance" category were as follows:

ANTHRAX - "Neon Knights"
Track from: "Ronnie James Dio - This Is Your Life"
Label: Rhino

MASTODON – "High Road"
Track from: "Once More 'Round The Sun"
Label: Reprise

MOTÖRHEAD – "Heartbreaker"
Track from: "Aftershock"
Label: UDR

SLIPKNOT – "The Negative One"
Label: Roadrunner Records

TENACIOUS D – "The Last In Line"
Track from: "Ronnie James Dio - This Is Your Life"
Label: Rhino

Also nominated in the "Best Music Film" category was METALLICA's IMAX 3D concert film, "Metallica Through The Never".

"Ronnie James Dio - This Is Your Life" was released in April 2014 via Rhino.

"Dio was the master," Jack Black of TENACIOUS D told Music For Good. "He was the Pavarotti of heavy metal vocalists. [He had] soaring melodies and a lion's roar to match. He was also one of the coolest guys I've ever had the honor of meeting. No one could touch his brilliance… on or off the stage."

"It's hard not to pick a great Dio track… but this one appealed to us," Kyle Gass said of "The Last In Line". "Recording the track was a blast. Our electric guitarist, John Konesky, shredded a solo. I said, 'That's pretty good, but let's try out my recorder.' Lo and behold, it shredded even more and added a unique element to the track."

Gass fondly remembered Ronnie's cameo in TENACIOUS D's musical comedy film "The Pick Of Destiny", telling Music For Good: "Dio obviously has been a major influence and inspiration for the D. His performance in 'The Pick Of Destiny' was a magical moment for us, and we'll always miss him. Rock on, Dio."

This year's Grammy Awards process registered more than 20,000 submissions over a 12-month eligibility period (October 1, 2013 - September 30, 2014),of which 17,144 remained valid.

Final ballots went out on December 17, 2014, and were due on January 16, 2015. After the final tabulation of votes, winners' names — in 83 categories in 30 fields — remained confidential in sealed envelopes until the 57th annual Grammy Awards.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the Grammy Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture.