The Recording Academy to honour Black Sabbath with Lifetime Achievement Grammy

Black Sabbath in 1971
(Image credit: Chris Walter/WireImage - Getty)

The Recording Academy has revealed the names of the artists who will be given a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 2019.

And among the names revealed today are Black Sabbath, who will be honoured at a ceremony in Los Angeles on May 11.

The annual award is given to artists who have "made outstanding contributions of artistic significance to the field of recording.”

Sabbath have been named alongside George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, Billy Eckstine, Donny Hathaway, Julio Iglesias, Sam & Dave and Dionne Warwick.

Lou Adler, Ashford And Simpson, and Johnny Mandel have been named Trustees Award honourees, while Saul Walker will be the Technical Grammy Award recipient.

President and CEO of the Recording Academy, Neil Portnow, says: “Each year, the Recording Academy has the distinct privilege of celebrating music industry giants who have greatly contributed to our cultural heritage.

“This year, we have a gifted and brilliant group of honourees and their exceptional accomplishments, contributions, and artistry will continue to influence and inspire generations to come.”

The Recording Academy praise Black Sabbath for inventing “the heavy metal signposts" that "influenced every heavy rock band that followed.”

Sabbath wrapped up their last-ever tour in their home town of Birmingham in February last year, with both Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi later saying that it might be possible for them to get back together to play at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.