Jerry Moss, who died Wednesday (Aug. 16) at age 88, received many honors in his lifetime. He and Herb Alpert, his business partner and friend of more than six decades, received a Trustees Award from the Recording Academy in 1997. Nine years later, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (One of A&M’s top stars, Sting, did the honors.)
Moss also won a Grammy in competition. In 1966, Alpert and the Tijuana Brass’ propulsive instrumental “A Taste of Honey” won the Grammy for record of the year. Alpert won two awards in that category, as both the artist and co-producer – with Moss.
“A Taste of Honey” was the second instrumental to win a Grammy for record of the year, following Percy Faith and His Orchestra’s serene “Theme From A Summer Place.” The two records were released just five years apart, but they sound decades apart, with the dynamic Alpert hit sounding…
