Jefferson Airplane & More Join Stellar Lineup for 'GRAMMY Salute to Music Legends'

A diverse can't-miss lineup blending sounds of the past and present will ignite the stage for "GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends," taking place Saturday, April 23, at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Just added to the exciting bill are Ry Cooder, Henry Gray, Jefferson Airplane, and Magnolia Sisters. Serving as the official celebration of The Recording Academy 's 2016 Special Merit Awards recipients, the awards ceremony and live tribute concert will feature rare performances by honorees and never-before-seen renditions by those they've inspired. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.

"GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends" is produced in partnership with THIRTEEN as part of the "Great Performances" series on PBS, set to air later this year. Previously announced acts include Lila Downs, Earth, Wind & Fire, Andy Garcia and The CineSon All Stars, Lucrecia, Martina McBride, and JD Souther. Additional performers will be announced shortly.

Honorees and psychedelic rock pioneers Jefferson Airplane, including Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, will take fans back in time as they play some of their most memorable hits that shaped much of the San Francisco scene in the 1960s and earned them international mainstream success. Standing in for legendary frontwoman Grace Slick (who will be present to accept her award) will be GRAMMY-nominated rock songstress Cathy Richardson.

Trustees Award recipient and Arhoolie Records founder Chris Strachwitz has made a living recording, preserving, selling, and celebrating the music he loves -music that formed the fabric of both American and international culture. Paying homage to the multifaceted and uniquely talented producer/businessman will be six-time GRAMMY winner and fretboard virtuoso Ry Cooder, Chicago bluesman GRAMMY nominee Henry Gray, and Cajun music jewels and GRAMMY nominees Magnolia Sisters.

This year's Lifetime Achievement Award honorees are Ruth Brown, Celia Cruz, Earth, Wind & Fire, Herbie Hancock, Jefferson Airplane, Linda Ronstadt, and RUN DMC. John Cage, Fred Foster, and Strachwitz are Trustees Award honorees; and EMT and Dr. Harvey Fletcher are Technical GRAMMY Award recipients. Also being honored is Phillip Riggs, this year's recipient of the Music Educator Award.

Previously held during GRAMMY Week, this is the first time The Recording Academy has celebrated the Special Merit Awards with a stand-alone event and musical tribute. In addition to the tribute concert, special celebrity guests will present recipients with their award statues and guests will enjoy never-before-seen video packages celebrating the honorees' contributions to the music industry and our cultural heritage.

A production of THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET, "GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends" will be written by David Wild and directed for television by David Horn, with Mitch Owgang as producer, and Horn and Neil Portnow as executive producers. Don Was is music director.

The Lifetime Achievement Award honors performers who have made contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording, while the Trustees Award recognizes such contributions in areas other than performance. Both awards are determined by vote of The Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees. Technical GRAMMY Award recipients are determined by vote of The Academy's Producers & Engineers Wing Advisory Council and Chapter Committees, and are ratified by The Academy's Trustees. The award is presented to individuals and companies who have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording field. Presented by The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation, the Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators (kindergarten through college, public and private schools) who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers, and recording professionals dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards - the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music - The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education, and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, "like" The GRAMMYs on Facebook and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on Google+, Instagram, Tumblr, and YouTube.

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