SHORT TAKES : Big Apple Vies for Grammys

Singing the praises of New York, Mayor David Dinkins and tourism industry leaders today declared an all-out drive to bring the annual Grammy Awards ceremony back to the Big Apple from Los Angeles.

“They feel that they have the divine right to host the Grammys forever,” cried Loews Hotels President Jonathan Tisch. “We think it’s time for the Grammys to come home to New York.”

Los Angeles has been home to the annual music awards ceremony every year since 1976 except two, 1981 and 1988, when it was held in New York City. Before 1976, it tended to alternate between the two cities, although it was held once in Nashville.

Dinkins insisted the ceremony must return to what he called the “world’s entertainment capital” and not so subtly noted that bringing the show back to the city could mean some $30 million next year for the ailing local economy.

He named American Express Travel Related Services, North America President Edwin Cooperman to head the city’s 1991 Grammys host committee, which will lobby the National Academy of Recording Artists and Scientists. The music industry group’s 33 trustees will make a decision at their board meeting in May.

“Music’s premier awards belong in America’s premier music city,” said Dinkins.

The mayor’s predecessor, Edward Koch, pushed unsuccessfully for years to have it put in writing that the show would alternate between East and West coasts.