Quantcast
"As we celebrate the milestones of 50 years for the Recording Academy and the Grammy Awards, it is most fitting that we honor one of the most influential and legendary talents in music—the incomparable Aretha Franklin.”
—-Neil Portnow, The Recording Academy

ARETHA FETED AT MUSICARES

Andrea Bocelli, Corinne Bailey Rae, to Perform at Tribute to Legendary "Queen of Soul"
R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

That’s what MusiCares will have when they honor 17-time Grammy winner Aretha Franklin with their Person of the Year award on Friday, Feb. 8, two days prior to the 50th Annual show, at the L.A. Convention Center.

The recipient of a 2005 Presidential Medal of Freedom honor (the United States' highest honor), the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Grammy Legend Award and numerous other accolades, Franklin is being honored for her extraordinary artistic achievements as well as her philanthropic efforts, which include Save the Children, Easter Seals and various churches and food banks in the Detroit metropolitan area.

Now in its 18th year, the Grammy Week gala will donate all proceeds from the auction, dinner and evening’s tribute concert, sponsored by VeriSign and AEG, to MusiCares, the Recording Academy-backed organization which ensures that music professionals have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

Among the performers who will pay tribute to Aretha are Andrea Bocelli, Corinne Bailey Rae, Melanie Brown, Lang Lang and Trin-I-Tee 5:7.

This year, the reception will feature a special live auction presented by Julien's Auctions and broadcast live on Auction Network.com with real-time interactive bidding technology. The live auction will offer a selection of celebrity memorabilia and VIP experiences and will be open to bidding from event guests as well as online and telephone bidders around the world. To read more about this special event, click here.

Said Recording Academy boss Neil Portnow: "As we celebrate the milestones of 50 years for the Recording Academy and the Grammy Awards, it is most fitting that we honor one of the most influential and legendary talents in music—the incomparable Aretha Franklin.”

Added MusiCares Board Chair Les Bider: “Aretha's musical legacy spans more than four decades and we feel it is an ideal moment to honor her career achievements.We look forward to paying tribute to her during Grammy Week."

The event is being chaired by Clive Davis, Berry Gordy and The Recording Academy's 50th Celebration ambassador Quincy Jones. Among those on hand will be MusiCares member John Branca.

Aretha Franklin began singing in the Detroit church of her father, Rev. C.L. Franklin, while growing up in the 1950s. She made her first recordings as a gospel artist at the age of 14. Known the world over by her first name and as the "Queen of Soul," Franklin was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and in 1979 she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Beyond hits like "Respect," "(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman," "Chain of Fools," "Think," "Day Dreaming" and "Freeway Of Love,” Franklin’s 40 album catalog have spawned a number of gold and platinum records. She is currently preparing to launch her own Aretha Records along with plans for a Broadway musical and a major motion picture based on her autobiography, Aretha Franklin: From These Roots.

NEAR TRUTHS: KINGDOMS
File under: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. (3/26a)
ONE SHINING HITS LIST
She shoots, she scores! (3/26a)
YTD MARKET SHARE
Zeroing in on the elite teams (3/28a)
BEST IN THE WEST:
STEVE BERMAN
High time for another Eminem skit (3/26a)
MUSIC REVENUE TOPPED $17B IN 2023: RIAA
Streaming subscriptions lead the charge. (3/27a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country
CAPTCHA code
Captcha: (type the characters above)