ACADEMY SETS MERIT AWARD HONOREES

Who wouldn’t want to see Ozzy Osbourne, Dionne Warwick and George Clinton on the same stage?  The Recording Academy will make it happen with its Special Merit Awards ceremony in May.

Black Sabbath, George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic, Julio Iglesias, Sam Moore & Dave Prater, Warwick and the late Billy Eckstine and Donny Hathaway will receive the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award on 5/11 in L.A. Lou Adler, Nicholas Ashford & Valerie Simpson and Johnny Mandel are Trustees Award honorees; audio innovator Saul Walker is the Technical Grammy Award recipient.

"Each year, the Recording Academy has the distinct privilege of celebrating music industry giants who have greatly contributed to our cultural heritage," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. "This year, we have a gifted and brilliant group of honorees and their exceptional accomplishments, contributions, and artistry will continue to influence and inspire generations to come." Lifetime Achievement Awards go to performers, while the Trustees Award honors contributions in areas other than performance; the Academy's National Board of Trustees determines both sets of honorees.

More details on the ceremony will be announced shortly.