JAKARTA - The name of the late Whitney Houston echoed again on the world music industry stage. The Recording Academy officially announced that the singer who died in 2012 will be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in January.
This award is the highest form of respect for the dedication and extraordinary artistic contribution that he has made throughout his career in the recording world.
The Special Merit Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, USA, as the opening series leading up to the Grammy Awards night.
In addition to Whitney Houston, a row of other iconic musicians such as Cher, Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, Fela Kuti, and Paul Simon are also confirmed to receive similar awards.
The presence of these big names confirms that their influence has crossed the barriers of generations and genres, as well as being the foundation for the development of modern music today.
Recording Academy CEO, Harvey Mason jr., stated that it was a great honor for his party to give appreciation to the recipients of this year's Special Merit Award.
"It's an honor to recognize this year's Special Merit Award recipients - an incredible group whose influence spans across generations, genres, and the very foundation of modern music," Mason Jr. said, citing the Recording Academy's official website, Monday, December 22.
"Each of these honorees have made a profound and lasting impact, and we look forward to celebrating their extraordinary achievements on the eve of Grammy Sunday," he added.
In addition to the Lifetime Achievement category, the Recording Academy also gave Trustees Awards to Bernie Taupin, Eddie Palmieri, and Sylvia Rhone for their significant contributions outside the stage performance.
Meanwhile, John Chowning will receive the Technical Grammy Award for his visionary technical contributions to the recording industry.
Interestingly, Bernie Taupin is the only special award recipient this year who is also nominated for the 2026 Grammy through the song "Never Too Late" from Elton John's film project.
The entire series of celebrations is part of Grammy Week 2026 - an appreciation week for the music community and nominees that will culminate on the night of the 68th Grammy Awards.
The peak event will be held live on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles.
The award to Whitney Houston is expected to be an emotional moment that reminds the world of the incomparable vocal power of "The Voice".
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