Cher, Chaka Khan, Carlos Santana, and Others Recognized at Grammys Special Merit Awards Before Live Show Challenges

Cher in February 2026 in Los Angeles; Chaka Khan in January 2026 in Los Angeles; Carlos Santana in May 2019 in Las Vegas.
Credit:

Christopher Polk/Billboard/Getty; Mat Hayward/Getty; Ethan Miller/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Cher, Chaka Khan, Carlos Santana, and others were honored at the Grammys Special Merit Awards in Los Angeles.
• The event was held on January 31, but Khan was the only recipient present.
• The main 2026 Grammy Awards took place on February 1 at the Crypto.com Arena.

The Grammys Special Merit Awards celebrated the contributions of several musical icons ahead of the 2026 Grammy Awards. Honorees included Cher, Chaka Khan, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Fela Kuti, and Whitney Houston, all receiving Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Recording Academy during the ceremony.

Chaka Khan, 72, was the only honoree to attend the event, held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre. During her acceptance speech, she reflected on the role of music in her life, stating, “Music has been my prayer, my healing, my joy, my truth. Through it, I saved my life.”

In a short documentary aired prior to her award, key moments from Khan’s career were highlighted, including hits like “Tell Me Something Good,” “Ain’t Nobody,” “I’m Every Woman,” and “I Feel For You.” Three of Fela Kuti’s children and members of Whitney Houston’s family accepted their awards on their behalf.

Kuti was recognized as the first African musician to receive the honor and was described as a producer and political radical who shaped the Afrobeat genre. Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law and manager, praised her legacy, stating, “Her voice remains eternal. Her legacy will live forever.”

Although Cher, 79, was unable to attend, she accepted her award via video message, sharing a poignant memory of her early singing days: “The only thing I ever wanted to be was a singer. When I was 4 years old, I used to run around the house naked, singing into a hairbrush. Things haven’t changed all that much.”

Carlos Santana’s award was accepted by his son Salvador Santana, who also shared a video message emphasizing the healing power of music: “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.”

During the ceremony, Bernie Taupin, longtime lyricist for Elton John, received the Grammys Trustees Award and honored Paul Simon, calling him “the greatest American songwriter alive.”

Cher made a memorable appearance at the 2026 Grammys where she experienced a lighthearted mix-up while presenting the Record of the Year award. Initially, she mistakenly named the late singer Luther Vandross before quickly correcting herself to reveal the winners, Kendrick Lamar and SZA, for their song “Luther.”

Cher in February 2026 in Los Angeles.

Emma McIntyre/Getty

After receiving her honor at the Crypto.com Arena, Cher returned to the stage to present the Record of the Year. During her presentation, she appeared slightly flustered, ultimately ensuring the correct winners were recognized amidst a brief mix-up.