Chaka Khan, Cher, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Fela Kuti, and Whitney Houston have received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy at the Grammys Special Merit Awards. Chaka Khan was the only recipient present at the ceremony Saturday in Los Angeles. She reflected on her career and thanked her collaborators. Family members accepted awards for Kuti and Houston. Cher and Santana spoke via video. Bernie Taupin, Elton John's lyricist, praised Simon and received the Trustees Award. Eddie Palmieri, Sylvia Rhone, and John Chowning were also honored. Jennifer Jimenez won the Music Educator Award, and Raye's “Ice Cream Man” received the Song for Social Change Award.
