Some of the biggest names in the history of popular music are being honoured this year.
Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy revealed teh news today.
He said: “This year’s Special Merit Awards recipients are a prestigious group of diverse and influential creators who have crafted or contributed to some of the most distinctive recordings in music history.
“These exceptionally inspiring figures are being honored as legendary performers, creative architects, and technical visionaries. Their outstanding accomplishments and passion for their craft have created a timeless legacy.”
Queen remain one of the greatest British and global bands of all time.
With a back catalogue ingrained in the national consciousness and record sales estimated at up to 300million, they have not always generated the same reverence in the US. The 1984 video for I Want To Break Free was a humorous parody of Coromation Street, with the boys dressed in drag. European audiences loved it and got the joke. US stations including MTV banned the video.
23 years later Queen are being recognised with American music’s highest honour.
Tina Turner remains a living inspiration at 78. Her personal, public and professional lives are a triumph of overcoming adversity. Along the way she has achieved legendary status for her life story as much as her incredible presence on stage, screen and record.
She sold more concert tickets than any solo performer and her combined record sales top 180 million.
Turner’s story will also be celebrated in the new musical, which starst previews in London’s West end at the Aldwytch Theatre on March 21.
This year the Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award honourees also include Hal Blaine, Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris, Louis Jordan and the Meters.
Diamond has been recording since the 1960’s and has had hits in every decade since then as well as starring the movie The Jazz Singer.
Emmylou Harris is a pioneer of pop, folk, country and alternative music.
Louis Jordan’s posthumous honour recognises his popularity from the late 1930s to the early 1950s as the King of the Jukebox. The American musician, songwriter, and bandleader helped pioneer the sound of rock and was dubbed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the Father of Rhythm & Blues and the Grandfather of Rock and Roll.