The Recording Academy celebrated music legends at the 2026 Grammys Special Merit Awards, honoring Cher, Chaka Khan, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Fela Kuti and Whitney Houston with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award ahead of the 2026 Grammy Awards telecast.
The ceremony took place on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, according to the Associated Press, and paid tribute to some of the most influential artists in music history.
Chaka Khan Accepts Lifetime Achievement Award in Person
Of the honorees, Chaka Khan, 72, was the only artist in attendance to personally accept her award. During her heartfelt speech, the Grammy-winning singer reflected on music’s impact on her life.
“Music has been my prayer, my healing, my joy, my truth,” she said. “Through it, I saved my life.”
Before Khan took the stage, a short documentary chronicled her groundbreaking career — from her time fronting the funk band Rufus to her celebrated solo success. The tribute featured iconic hits including the Stevie Wonder-penned “Tell Me Something Good,” “Ain’t Nobody,” “I’m Every Woman,” and the Prince-written “I Feel For You.”
Fela Kuti and Whitney Houston Honored Posthumously
Fela Kuti and Whitney Houston were also recognized with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 2026 Grammys Special Merit Awards. Three of Kuti’s children accepted the honor on behalf of the Afrobeat pioneer, who was described as a “producer, arranger, political radical, outlaw and the father of Afrobeat.” He became the first African musician to receive the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Whitney Houston’s family accepted her award, with Pat Houston — the late singer’s sister-in-law and longtime manager — praising her enduring legacy.
“Her voice remains eternal,” Pat said. “Her legacy will live forever.”
Cher Receives Lifetime Achievement Award — But Skips Ceremony
Although Cher, 79, did not attend the Grammys Special Merit Awards ceremony in person, she appeared in a brief video message to accept her Lifetime Achievement Award. The audience reportedly expressed disappointment upon learning she would not be present.
“The only thing I ever wanted to be was a singer,” Cher said in her message. “When I was 4 years old I used to run around the house naked, singing into a hair brush. Things haven’t changed all that much.”
Carlos Santana was also absent from the event. His son, Salvador Santana, accepted the award on his behalf, while the legendary guitarist shared a video message emphasizing music’s power to heal.
“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,” he said.
Paul Simon Praised as ‘Greatest American Songwriter Alive’
While Paul Simon did not attend the ceremony, Bernie Taupin — Elton John’s longtime lyricist and a recipient of the Grammys Trustees Award that evening — paid tribute to the 84-year-old icon, calling him “the greatest American songwriter alive.”
Cher’s Lighthearted Grammys 2026 Snafu
Despite missing the Special Merit Awards ceremony, Cher made a memorable appearance at the 2026 Grammy Awards on Feb. 1 at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena. Because she had not attended the previous night’s event, the Recording Academy presented her with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the live broadcast — a move that created brief confusion for viewers.
Later in the evening, the “Believe” and “Strong Enough” singer returned to the stage to present the award for Record of the Year. In a lighthearted onstage mix-up, Cher initially read “Luther Vandross” before quickly correcting herself to announce Kendrick Lamar and SZA as the winners for their song “Luther.”
“And the Grammy goes to… Oh! They told me it was going to be on a prompter,” she said. “Oh, the Grammy goes to Luther Vandross. Oh Kendrick, no Kendrick Lamar!”
The moment quickly became one of the most talked-about highlights of the 2026 Grammys, capping off a weekend that celebrated music legends and their lasting impact on the industry.
Leave a Reply