In a ceremony held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles on the evening before the main Grammys event, the Recording Academy celebrated a group of distinguished musicians with Lifetime Achievement Awards. The recipients recognized the significant impact their work has had on music history and culture.
Among the honorees was Chaka Khan, who personally attended to accept her award. Reflecting on her extensive career, Khan described music as a source of prayer, healing, joy, and truth, crediting it with saving her life. The presentation included a brief documentary showcasing highlights from her career with the funk band Rufus and as a solo artist. Notable tracks featured were "Tell Me Something Good" (written by Stevie Wonder in 1974), "Ain't Nobody" (1983), "I'm Every Woman" (1978), and "I Feel For You" (1984), penned by Prince.
Dressed in a shimmering sea green gown, Khan expressed gratitude toward her collaborators, noting humorously that not all were entirely sane. She praised the extraordinary artists, musicians, writers, producers, and creatives she has worked alongside during her over 50-year career, pausing to add the word "and cuckoos."
Family members accepted the awards on behalf of two late legends: Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, who passed away in 1997, and iconic singer Whitney Houston, who died in 2012. Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law and longtime manager, spoke movingly about Houston’s enduring voice and legacy, emphasizing its eternal nature.
Fela Kuti’s award was received by three of his children, who introduced him with descriptors including producer, arranger, political radical, outlaw, and Father of Afrobeat. As the first African musician to receive this honor, Kuti’s recognition was significant on multiple levels. Femi Kuti expressed appreciation on behalf of his family, highlighting the importance of the award for their father, the African continent, world peace, and social struggle.
The audience showed disappointment when Academy President Harvey Mason Jr. announced that Cher was absent in person. However, Cher appeared via video, sharing a brief clip in which she recalled her childhood dream of being a singer, describing how she used to sing into a hairbrush naked at four years old. She remarked that little has changed since then.
Carlos Santana’s son, Salvador Santana, accepted his father’s award, after which Santana himself spoke via video. He reflected on the global environment being filled with fear and underscored the necessity for his music and message to inspire hope, courage, and joy to promote healing worldwide.
Paul Simon was honored for his songwriting, with Elton John’s longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin paying tribute by referring to Simon as the greatest American songwriter alive. Taupin himself received the Grammys Trustees Award, which recognizes substantial career contributions outside of performing. Despite co-writing the majority of Elton John’s hits, Taupin has yet to win a competitive Grammy, although he was nominated for one during the main ceremony. Holding his honorary trophy, he remarked on the 57 years he waited for such recognition and shared some principles that guided his songwriting, including avoiding clichés, never writing songs in cubicles, and refraining from exaggerating personal despair in lyrics.
In addition to Taupin, other Trustees Award recipients included Eddie Palmieri, a pianist, composer and bandleader noted for innovation in Latin jazz and rumba. Palmieri, who passed away last year at the age of 88, was the first Latino to win a Grammy in 1975. Sylvia Rhone was also recognized, noted as the first Black woman to lead a major record label.
The Technical Grammy Award was presented to John Chowning, whose academic work in the 1960s played a crucial role in developing synthesizer sounds that dominated the 1980s music scene.
Additional awards included the Grammys Music Educator Award, which went to Jennifer Jimenez, a band director from South Miami Senior High School, and the Harry Belafonte Song for Social Change Award, which was given to "Ice Cream Man" by Raye.