Whitney Houston will get a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy

The late artist, who died in 2012, will receive one of the Recording Academy’s Special Merits Awards during a gala in Los Angeles in January 2026.

At the event, Lifetime Achievement Awards will also be given to Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, Cher, Fela Kuti, and Paul Simon.

Performers who have made exceptional artistic contributions to the recording industry are given the Lifetime Achievement Awards.

John Chowning will receive the Technical Grammy Award, and Bernie Taupin, Eddie Palmieri, and Sylvia Rhone will receive Trustees Awards.

Technical Grammy Awards are given to people who have made exceptional technical contributions to the recording industry, while Trustees Awards are given to people who have made noteworthy contributions to the recording industry outside of performance.

“Recognizing this year’s Special Merit Award recipients is a true honor — an extraordinary group whose influence spans generations, genres, and the very foundation of modern music,” stated Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. We are excited to honor these honorees on the eve of Grammy Sunday for their outstanding accomplishments, each of whom has had a significant and enduring influence.

In the run-up to the yearly Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy hosts Grammy Week, a week-long celebration that includes formal events honoring the music industry and current Grammy candidates. 

The 2026 Grammy Awards will be held live on Sunday, February 1, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, marking the conclusion of Grammy Week 2026.

Taupin is the sole recipient of this year’s Special Merit Award who is nominated for a Grammy in 2026. 

For Elton John’s Never Too Late, he has been nominated for best song composed for visual media.