Legendary singer Diana Ross and soul icon Gil Scott-Heron are on the list of honorees to be feted at this year’s Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy announced.
The singers will both receive Lifetime Achievement Awards at a special invitation-only ceremony on Feb. 11, 2012. The 2012 Grammy Awards will be held the following day and a formal acknowledgement of the honorees will be shown during a telecast.
According to EUR Web, the achievement marks Ross’ first Grammy Award in a career that spans decades. The Supremes star had previously received 12 nominations with zero wins over the course of nearly five decades.
Scott-Heron will receive the award posthumously. He died at the age of 62-year-old in May after an undisclosed illness. He rose to fame in the 1970s after releasing hits such as “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” and “The Bottle.” The singer, who was famous for his spoken-word musical style, is often credited as the “godfather of rap.”
Scott-Heron’s family released a statement on his website following the announcement of his forthcoming honor.
“The Family of Gil-Scott-Heron deeply appreciates the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed upon him by the National Academy of Recording Arts And Sciences,” the statement read. “Gil believed deeply in the eternity of the spirit; and we believe his spirit is at peace and pleased.”
Others set to be recognized with Lifetime Achievement awards are Glen Campbell, the Allman Brothers Band, George Jones, the Memphis Horns and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and musicians Dave Bartholomew and Rudy Van Gelder will receive the Trustees Award.
For more information on the 2012 Grammy Awards, visit: www.grammy.org.