On June 20th, 1960, Harry Belafonte, then just 33 years old, won that year’s Emmy Award for Best Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program. It was only the second time this special award had been given out. Belafonte was being honored for his one-night-only special called The Revlon Review: Tonight With Belafonte, a tribute to black music.

Whitney Houston won the same award for her flawless performance at the 28th annual Grammy Awards in 1986. The legendary Sarah Vaughn’s episode of Great Performances was a winner in this category in 1981 and noted African-American opera singer Leontyne Price took home the prize in 1983 for her Live From Lincoln Center performance.

This award was discontinued back in 2008.

With so many thought-provoking live musical performances in the last few months, it's clear that The Emmys should bring this category back. 

Potential nominees would be: Beyoncé for her Super Bowl sensation to Adele’s one-night-only live special last December. And of course Kendrick Lamar's brave performance at this year's Grammys would definitely be nominated. (And would most likely win.)  

The point is, there are several live performances in the last year that should be singled out for excellence. There’s no better moment than right now for The Emmys to bring this award back.