The Recording Academy is honoring Black Sabbath, George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic, Billy Eckstine, Donny Hathaway, Julio Iglesias, Sam & Dave, and Dionne Warwick with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award this May in Los Angeles.
Lou Adler, Ashford & Simpson, and Johnny Mandel will receive Trustee Awards, while Saul Walker will receive the Technical Grammy Award.
“Each year, the Recording Academy has the distinct privilege of celebrating music industry giants who have greatly contributed to our cultural heritage,” Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a release. “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 Award recipients are selected based on the contributions they have made in the music industry. The Trustees Award winners are honored for contributions that aren’t related to performance.
British heavy metal band Black Sabbath released their first album in 1970. They have a total of 19 studio albums, the last of which was 2013’s 13, as well as six live albums, 12 compilation albums, and one EP. The Recording Academy credits the band for greatly influencing others in the industry. Black Sabbath has received two Grammys for Best Metal Performance—1998’s live version of “Iron Man” and “God is Dead” from 13.
Following a farewell tour in 2016, the band broke up in 2017. Lead singer Ozzy Osbourne has since embarked on a solo farewell tour, and bassist Geezer Butler started a new band, Deadland Ritual. Guitarist Tony Iommi has several projects in the works.
George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelick peaked in popularity in the ‘60s and ‘70s and generated six number-one hits. So beloved by fellow musicians, their music has been heavily sampled and laid the groundwork for many hip-hop anthems.
The late jazz and pop star Billy Eckstine was also a band leader whose bass-baritone voice captivated listeners in the ‘40s and ‘50s. The late soul singer, keyboardist, songwriter, and arranger Donny Hathaway made a big impression during his short-lived career, duetting with stars such as Roberta Flack.
Spanish singer and songwriter Julio Iglesia is one of the world’s most popular Latin crossover artists. He is one of the top 10 records sellers in music and is a favorite not only in North America but also Europe and China.
Soul duo Sam & Dave (Sam Moore and Dave Prater) were major stars in the ‘60s, known for taking black gospel church music and turning it into pop anthems, such as “Soul Man.” Fifty-six of Dionne Warwick’s singles made the Billboard Hot 100 between 1962 and 1998, and she dominated pop and R&B in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
Record producer, music exec and Roxy Theater co-owner Lou Adler helped curate the Monterey Pop Festival as well as the careers of the Mamas and the Papas, Carole King, Cheech & Chong, and others.
Songwriting team Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson are responsible for many Motown hits, including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “You’re All I Need To Get By.”
Composer, arranger, and jazz musician Johnny Mandel worked with Jimmy Dorsey and Count Basie and is also known for writing the M*A*S*H theme song “Suicide Is Painless.”
Saul Walker founded API in 1969 with the aim of creating the best sounding audio gear, making him an integral part of the music recording industry.
