Paul Simon, Cher and Chaka Khan to receive Grammy Lifetime Achievement awards
The Recording Academy has announced the recipients of its 2026 Special Merit Awards. The honours will be presented at a ceremony in Los Angeles on January 31, a day before the main Grammy event. This year’s awards recognise legendary artists, composers, and industry figures for their lasting contributions to music.
The Lifetime Achievement Awards will go to seven iconic musicians. Carlos Santana, the Latin rock guitar legend, joins the list alongside pop superstar Cher and soul singer Chaka Khan. Paul Simon, known for his decades of songwriting, will also receive the honour.
Posthumous recognition goes to three late artists: **Whitney Houston**, **Fela Kuti**, and **Eddie Palmieri**. Houston, the powerhouse vocalist, and Kuti, the Afrobeat pioneer, will be celebrated for their global impact. Palmieri, a Latin jazz great, will receive the Trustees Award. Other Trustees Awards will be given to lyricist **Bernie Taupin** and record executive **Sylvia Rhone**. Classical composer **John Chowning** will be honoured with the Technical Grammy Award for his innovations in electronic music. The Special Merit Awards ceremony takes place at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on January 31. The following evening, the 2026 Grammys will air live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The awards highlight careers that shaped modern music across genres. The January 31 ceremony will precede the main Grammy show by one day. Both events will celebrate artists whose work continues to influence generations of listeners.
