Chaka Khan, Cher, Whitney Houston, Fela Kuti get Grammys Life Achievement Awards

Music Icons Celebrated at Grammys Special Merit Awards

Legendary artists Chaka Khan, Cher, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Fela Kuti, and Whitney Houston were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards during the Recording Academy’s Grammys Special Merit Awards ceremony Saturday night in Los Angeles, recognizing their extraordinary contributions to music.

The intimate event, held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on the eve of the main Grammy Awards, saw Chaka Khan as the only Lifetime Achievement recipient to attend in person. Dressed in a shimmering sea green gown, Khan delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech that resonated throughout the venue.

“Music has been my prayer, my healing, my joy, my truth,” Khan said. “Through it, I saved my life.” The 70-year-old funk and R&B pioneer expressed gratitude for her extensive career collaborations while adding a touch of humor: “Over 50 years I am blessed to walk alongside extraordinary artists, musicians, writers, producers and creatives,” she paused before adding, “and cuckoos.”

The ceremony featured a short documentary highlighting Khan’s remarkable career, from her beginnings with the funk band Rufus to her successful solo endeavors. The film showcased her iconic hits including “Tell Me Something Good” (1974), written by Stevie Wonder, “Ain’t Nobody” (1983), “I’m Every Woman” (1978), and “I Feel For You” (1984), penned by Prince.

Family members accepted awards for the late Whitney Houston and Fela Kuti. Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law and former manager, paid tribute to the vocal powerhouse who died in 2012. “Her voice — that voice! — remains eternal,” she said. “Her legacy will live forever.”

In a historic recognition, Nigerian musician and political activist Fela Kuti became the first African artist to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Three of his children accepted the honor on behalf of their father, who died in 1997. “Thank you for bringing our father here,” Femi Kuti said. “It’s so important for us, it’s so important for Africa, it’s so important for world peace and the struggle.” Kuti was introduced as a “producer, arranger, political radical, outlaw and the father of Afrobeat,” acknowledging his revolutionary musical fusion and outspoken activism.

While Cher couldn’t attend in person—much to the audience’s audible disappointment—she appeared briefly via video, maintaining her characteristic wit: “The only thing I ever wanted to be was a singer. When I was 4 years old I used to run around the house naked, singing into a hair brush,” she said. “Things haven’t changed all that much.”

Carlos Santana also accepted his award virtually, with his son Salvador representing him at the ceremony. “The world is so infected with fear that we need the music and message of Santana to bring hope, courage and joy to heal the world,” the legendary guitarist stated in his video message.

Paul Simon’s tribute came from fellow music industry giant Bernie Taupin, who called Simon “the greatest American songwriter alive.” Taupin himself was present as a recipient of the Grammys Trustees Award, acknowledging his career-long contributions outside performing. Despite writing most of Elton John’s biggest hits, Taupin noted he has never won a competitive Grammy: “I’ve been waiting 57 years for one of these,” he remarked.

The ceremony also honored late Latin jazz innovator Eddie Palmieri with a Trustees Award. Palmieri, who died last year at 88, made history in 1975 as the first Latino to win a Grammy Award. Music executive Sylvia Rhone received recognition for breaking barriers as the first Black woman to head a major record label.

Other honorees included John Chowning, whose pioneering work with synthesizers at Stanford University in the 1960s earned him the Technical Grammy Award. Jennifer Jimenez, a band director from South Miami Senior High School, received the Grammys Music Educator Award, while Raye’s “Ice Cream Man” won the Harry Belafonte Song for Social Change Award.

The special ceremony sets the stage for Sunday’s main Grammy Awards, where the music industry will continue celebrating excellence across all genres and generations.