Queen

Queen

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Queen, Tina Turner, Neil Diamond Among "GRAMMY Salute ..." TV Special Honorees

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Emmylou Harris, the Meters, John Williams, and more will also be honored at the third annual awards and tribute concert to air as part of the "Great Performances" series on PBS
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jun 12, 2018 - 7:22 am

The Recording Academy has unveiled plans to honor its 2018 class of Special Merit Awards recipients with the upcoming "GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends" television special. The third annual awards ceremony and tribute concert will take place in Los Angeles at Dolby Theatre on July 14, and is set to be broadcast as part of the "Great Performances" series on PBS.

Shirley Caesar Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

The Academy's Special Merit Awards include the Lifetime Achievement Award, Trustees Award and Technical GRAMMY Award, all of which recognize music's most impactful creators and innovators. This year's Lifetime Achievement Award honorees are Hal Blaine, Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris, Louis Jordan, the Meters, Queen, and Tina Turner. Trustees Award recipients include Bill Graham, Seymour Stein and John Williams.

The Technical GRAMMY Award is being presented to Tony Agnello and Richard Factor while the 2018 Music Educator Award recipient is Melissa Salguero.

"GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends" will feature rare performances by select honorees and never-seen renditions of their discographies performed by those they've inspired. GRAMMY-nominated industry icon Greg Phillinganes will serve as musical director, and scheduled appearances include GRAMMY winner Herb Alpert, who will honor Blaine, and GRAMMY nominee Micky Dolenz, who will be honoring Diamond. GRAMMY winner Sammy Hagar will pay tribute to Graham, while GRAMMY nominee Ledisi who will salute Jordan. GRAMMY winner Trisha Yearwood will pay tribute to Harris.

Presenters for the evening include actress Angela Bassett and GRAMMY winner Henry Rollins.

The special will be produced by the Recording Academy in partnership with Thirteen Productions and is set to air on PBS later this year. In addition to the tribute concert, guests will enjoy never-before-seen video packages celebrating each of the honorees' contributions to the music industry and our cultural heritage.

"We are thrilled to once again partner with Thirteen Productions and PBS to bring our 'GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends' awards show and tribute concert to life at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. "We look forward to celebrating the tremendous contributions of our Special Merit Awards recipients and honoring their outstanding accomplishments."

Additional performers and presenters will be announced shortly. Tickets for the event will be on sale via Ticketmaster beginning June 12.

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Tina Turner

Tina Turner

Photo: Bill Marino/Sygma

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Tina Turner To Queen: 2018 Recording Academy Special Merit Awards

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Emmylou Harris, the Meters, Bill Graham, and John Williams are also among this year's crop of honorees who have made a lasting impression on the recording industry
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jan 9, 2018 - 6:30 am

It's time to celebrate another class of exceptional music creators with the Recording Academy's Special Merit Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, Trustees Award and Technical GRAMMY Award.

This year's Lifetime Achievement Award honorees are Hal Blaine, Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris, Louis Jordan, the Meters, Queen, and Tina Turner. Bill Graham, Seymour Stein and John Williams will receive the Trustees Award. Tony Agnello and Richard Factor are the Technical GRAMMY Award recipients.

Hal Blaine
2018 Special Merit Awards Recipients

A special award presentation ceremony and concert celebrating the Special Merit Awards honorees will be held in summer 2018. Additional details regarding the ceremony will be announced.

In the meantime, why are these industry luminaries up for a Special Merit Award? Let's take a closer look.

Blaine is best known for his role as the lead drummer/founder of the Wrecking Crew studio band that backed iconic artists such as Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, and more. He worked on six consecutive Record Of The Year GRAMMY-winning tracks between 1965 and 1970, including Sinatra's "Strangers In The Night" and Simon And Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson."

Diamond's rich catalog has become a part of the fabric of America's songbook with hits such as "Sweet Caroline," "Solitary Man" and "You'll Be A Woman Soon." He earned a GRAMMY at the 16th GRAMMY Awards for Album Of Best Original Score Written For A Motion Picture Or A Television Special for Jonathan Livingston Seagull. He was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year in 2009.

A 13-time GRAMMY winner, Harris' genre-spanning style has earned her a permanent place among the contemporary country elite. She earned her first GRAMMY at the 19th GRAMMY Awards for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female for Elite Hotel. She most recently won for Best Americana Album for Old Yellow Moon at the 56th GRAMMYs.

The late Jordan has been dubbed the Father of Rhythm & Blues and the Grandfather of Rock and Roll for his recordings from the late 1930s to early 1950s. He has four recordings in the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame with his band Tympany Five: "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" (inducted 2013), "Caldonia Boogie" (1998), "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" (2008), and "Let The Good Times Roll" (2009).

The Meters — comprising drummer Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste, frontman Art Neville, percussionist/vocalist Cyril Neville, guitarist Leo Nocentelli, and bassist George Porter Jr. — are considered to be among the founding fathers of funk with iconic tunes such as "Cissy Strut," "Good Old Funky Music" and "Chicken Strut." "Cissy Strut" was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame in 2011.

One of the most lauded rock bands of all time, Queen — bassist John Deacon, guitarist Brian May, frontman Freddie Mercury, and drummer Roger Taylor — have made an indelible impact on the music industry with blockbuster hits such as the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame-inducted recordings "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Will Rock You"/"We Are The Champions."

Heralded as the Queen of Rock and Roll, Turner remains a global recording star worldwide. She earned her first GRAMMY at the 14th GRAMMY Awards with Ike Turner for their rendition of "Proud Mary," which took home Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Group. She's since added an additional seven wins to her tally, most recently as a featured artist on Herbie Hancock's Album Of The Year-winning River: The Joni Letters at the 50th GRAMMY Awards.

The late manager/concert promoter Graham is credited with creating the modern rock concert thanks to his tour organization for legendary artists such as Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and George Harrison.

As a vice president of Warner Bros. Records and founder of Sire Records, Stein is responsible for ushering in the careers of some of our favorite artists, including the Ramones, the Pretenders, Talking Heads, k.d. lang, Barenaked Ladies, the Cure, Seal, Madonna, Depeche Mode, and Ice-T, among others.

Prolific composer Williams has made history for his unforgettable film scores, including Star Wars, Indiana Jones and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. He is one of the top GRAMMY winners of all time with 23 GRAMMYs to his name, most recently for Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media for Star Wars: The Force Awakens at the 59th GRAMMY Awards. Star Wars — Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame in 2007.

Technical GRAMMY Awards recipients Agnello and Factor have influenced the record-making process through their company Eventide, which produces a wide variety of original audio effects devices. The company's H910 Harmonizer effects processor, whose underlying technology forms the basis of all pitch-shifting and pitch-correction devices today, impacted the sound of classic LPs such as David Bowie's Low, Kraftwerk's Computer World and AC/DC's Back In Black, among others.

"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," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. "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."

Tina Turner

Photo: Greetsia Tent/WireImage

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"GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends" To Air On PBS Oct. 5

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The tribute concert will honor the Academy's 2018 Special Merit Awards recipients, which include Tina Turner and Neil Diamond. The all-star concert will feature rare performances by honorees and special renditions by the artists they've inspired
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Sep 12, 2018 - 3:22 pm

Watch the third annual "GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends" in collaboration with PBS' "Great Performances" series on Oct.5. The all-star concert will feature rare performances by honorees and special renditions by the artists they've inspired.

"GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends" On PBS Oct. 5

The tribute concert will honor the Academy's 2018 Special Merit Awards that include Tina Turner, Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris, Louis Jordan, The Meters, Queen, Seymour Stein, Tony Agnello and Richard Factor, Hal Blaine, and John Williams.

GRAMMY-winning gospel artist Yolanda Adams will be the master of ceremonies as never-before-seen performances take center stage including a performance by GRAMMY nominee Micky Dolenz alongside Diamond, GRAMMY winner and night honoree. Herb Alpert, eight-time GRAMMY winner, will honor legendary drummer Blaine, GRAMMY winner Sammy Hagar will pay tribute to Graham and Queen, GRAMMY nominee Ledisi will pay tribute to Jordan and three-time GRAMMY winner Trisha Yearwood will perform alongside Harris.

The Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement recognizes musical artists that have made significant contributions to the recording field. The Trustees Award honors areas outside of performance. The Technical GRAMMY Award recognizes people and companies who have made outstanding contributions of technical significance to the recording field.

This year's Lifetime Achievement Award honorees are Hal Blaine, Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris, Louis Jordan, the Meters, Queen, and Tina Turner. This year's Trustees Award honorees are Bill Graham, Sire Records co-founder Seymour Stein, and Academy Award-winning film composer John Williams. Technical GRAMMY Award recipients are Tony Agnello and Richard Factor. Melissa Salguero is this year's recipient of the Music Educator Award.

The concert will air at 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5 (check your local listings) and will be available to stream the following day via pbs.org/gperf.

READ: We Are Music: Honoring Craft & Community With H.E.R., Swizz Beatz & More

Pink

Pink

Photo: Steve Granitz/Getty Images

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Pink, Faith Hill, Michael Bublé Among 2019 Walk Of Fame Honorees

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Cypress Hill, the Lettermen, Tommy Mottola, Teddy Riley, and more will be immortalized in Hollywood for their contributions to recording
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jun 26, 2018 - 7:11 am

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has announced its selections for the Walk of Fame class of 2019, and its filled with musical stars. GRAMMY winners Pink, Faith Hill and Michael Bublé are among those who will receive a star on the famous Hollywood, Calif., walkway.

Other honorees from the world of recording include GRAMMY-winning songwriter/producer Teddy Riley, GRAMMY-nominated hip-hop group Cypress Hill, record executive Tommy Mottola, and GRAMMY-nominated pop trio the Lettermen. Another trio receiving a star, GRAMMY winners Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris will be honored together for their work on Trio. GRAMMY-nominated soul singer Jackie Wilson will receive a star posthumously.

"The Committee always tries to select a group of talented honorees that appeal in various genres of the entertainment world," said Vin Di Bona, television producer and Walk of Famer himself, who served as chair of the Walk of Fame Selection Committee this year. "I feel the Committee has outdone themselves and I know the fans, tourists and the Hollywood community will be pleased with our selections. We are excited to see each and every honoree’s face as they unveil that majestic star on Hollywood's most famous walkway."

Additionally, Idina Menzel, Cedric the Entertainer, Judith Light, and Paul Sorvino will be honored in the live theater/live performance category. Stars will also be awarded to honorees from the field of film – including Alan Arkin, Robert De Niro, Kristen Bell, Anne Hathaway, and Tyler Perry – and television, such as Mandy Moore, Terrence Howard, Candice Bergen, and Alvin & The Chipmunks.

Dates have not yet been scheduled for next year's induction ceremonies, but at least for Pink it will have to fall somewhere between her newly extended 2019 Beautiful Trauma World Tour schedule.

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Celia Cruz

Celia Cruz

Photo: Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images

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Celia Cruz, Bob Marley & Billie Holiday: Most-Anticipated Music Biopic | Poll

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From Queen to Curtis Mayfield to Judy Garland, which music biopic would you be most excited to watch?
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jun 8, 2018 - 8:39 am

For the music lover, a great biopic can show the life and career of an artist beyond what can be heard on the record. With some heavy-hitting legends slated to get the biopic treatment soon, music fans and film fans alike have much to look forward to…

Polls

Which legendary artist's biopic would you be most excited to watch?

The music biopic has become an art form all its own, requiring the perfect combination of the actor nailing the portrayal of the artist and the director ensuring the setting of era and scene transport the viewer – it's a tough task, no doubt. With several recent successful music biopics, such as last year's N.W.A tale Straight Outta Compton or this year's Christian group MercyMe film I Can Only Imagine, the stage is set for the next round of great music biographical films.

Bohemian Rhapsody, the Queen biopic starring Rami Malek has a lot of steam behind it, with the movie's trailer premiering earlier this month. The film focuses on the life of iconic Queen frontman Freddy Mercury, and Malek's portrayal – if the trailer is any indication – is chillingly accurate. The film is set to hit theatres Nov. 2.

Back in October of 2017, news surfaced of a biopic on GRAMMY winner Judy Garland featuring actress Renée Zellweger in the leading role. Earlier this year, fans got a sneak peek at Zellweger in character, generating even more buzz for the project. The film, titled Judy, is yet to see an official release date.

Earlier this week, rumors of Andra Day possibly playing Billie Holiday in a new film devoted to the legendary jazz singer's life and career began stirring. Day, a GRAMMY nominee, seems like the perfect fit to capture Holliday's old soul and staggering talent. With Oscar-nominated director Lee Daniels ("Empire") at the helm, the project seems to be in real motion.

Few musical icons loom as large as the great Bob Marley. Now, Marley's son Ziggy is working with Paramount Pictures to bring his story to the big screen. While the project is still in the early stages with no writer, director or producers attached, Marley's name has become synonymous with the reggae genre and is beyond deserving of a cinematic telling.

Last month, the film company Endemol Shine North America optioned Celia Cruz' 2005 autobiography for a potential television series with producer/director Kenny Ortega on board. The resulting film would show the Cuban singer, known as The Queen of Salsa, in a whole new light.

GRAMMY-winning legend Lionel Richie acquired rights to the life story of soul-singing legend Curtis Mayfield back in October of 2017, and a definitive biopic is in the works. With Mayfield's widow behind the telling of his story, and Richie primed to work with his family to create an accurate and celebratory depiction, this could be one of the best music biopics yet.

With so much of music and cultural history wrapped in the stories of these artists - from rock to reggae, salsa to soul - which story would you most like to see come to life on the silver screen?

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