Black Sabbath to be honoured with Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
Black Sabbath are among the artists set to receive a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award next year.
According to the Recording Academy, The Lifetime Achievement Award honours musicians who have ‘made outstanding contributions of artistic significance to the field of recording’ over the decades.
A special award presentation ceremony and concert will be held on Saturday 11th May 2019 with further details to be announced in the coming weeks and months. It’s currently unclear whether members of Black Sabbath will appear at the ceremony.
Also receiving The Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 are George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic, Billy Eckstine, Donny Hathaway, Julio Iglesias, Sam & Dave and Dionne Warwick. Lou Adler, Ashford & Simpson, and Johnny Mandel will each get a Trustees Award, which honours non-performers.
"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."
Explaining why Black Sabbath are getting their nod, the Recording Academy wrote: ‘From their power riffs to their dark, gothic imagery, Black Sabbath arguably invented the heavy metal signposts and influenced every heavy rock band that followed.’
The Lifetime Achievement Award is distinct from the Grammy Hall of Fame Award, which honours specific recordings rather than individuals.
Founded in 1963 when Bing Crosby was inducted, The Lifetime Achievement Award has only been handed out annually since 1984.
Queen were honoured earlier this year and previous winners include David Bowie, Cream, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Beatles and many, many more.
Ozzy Osbourne’s No More Tours 2 tour hits the UK in February 2019 for six arena shows with Judas Priest. Head to Planet Rock Tickets to check ticket availability.
Meanwhile, Geezer Butler’s new band Deadland Ritual – also featuring vocalist Franky Perez (Apocalyptica, Scars on Broadway), drummer Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver) and guitarist Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) – unleashed their debut song 'Down In Flames' last week.
Deadland Ritual will play Download Festival and Hellfest in June where their setlists will be drawn from original material and deeper cuts from their respective previous band.