Each February music fans watch the annual Grammy Awards; but there is much more to the ceremonies than what is seen on the live television broadcast. The Recording Academy celebrates the best in music for a week that culminates in the Grammy Awards gala.
In the days before the Awards presentation, the Recording Academy holds the auction and gala for the MusiCares Person of the Year and presents the Special Merit Awards that include Lifetime Achievements.
In a gala event on February 1 (the night before the Grammy Awards) at the Wilshire Ebell Theater; Frankie Beverly, the Clash, Dr. Bobby Jones, Taj Mahal, Prince, Roxanne Shante, and Franckie Valli will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr. Leo Beranek will receive the Technical Grammy Award in a posthumous presentation.
Erroll Garner, Glyn Johns, and Tania Leon will be presented with the Trustees Awards.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr spoke on the awards saying, “it’s an amazing privilege to honor this eclectic group of music icons during the year’s biggest week in music. Each of this year’s Special Merit Award recipients has left an indelible mark on music, from paving the way for others to innovation that forever has changed the trajectory of the musical landscape. We can’t wait to celebrate this group and their achievements in February.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to artists who “have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording.”
The Trustees Award is presented to people who “during their careers in music, have made significant contributions, other than performance*, to the field of recording.”
The Technical Grammy Award is presented to “individuals and/or companies/organizations/institutions who have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording field.”
Sixteen time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys will receive the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award that is presented by the Black Music Collective in a special event on January 30. The award is presented the artist “whose influence transcends music. It celebrates not only artistic excellence but also entrepreneurial achievements, philanthropic contributions, and global cultural impact.”
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason spoke on Keys saying, “from her timeless music to her unwavering dedication to uplifting others, Alicia has made an indelible impact on the world. Alicia embodies everything the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award represents — her artistry knows no bounds, her advocacy inspires meaningful change, and her influence has profoundly shaped culture. We are honored to celebrate her extraordinary legacy and the transformative contributions she continues to make in music and beyond.”