Clark, Davis, Horowitz, Cole and McCartney Get Grammys

Paul McCartney, Dick Clark, Miles Davis and the late Vladimir Horowitz and Nat King Cole will receive lifetime achievement awards at this year’s Grammy Awards ceremonies.

McCartney, Clark and Davis have agreed to appear during the awards telecast Feb. 1 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, said Michael Greene, president of the National Academy of Recording Artists.

McCartney’s impact on music as a songwriter and member of the Beatles, as well as his continuing growth as a solo performer were cited as reasons for his lifetime achievement award.

Davis, a musical legend, played a crucial role in the development of jazz since the 1940s, and Horowitz was included because many consider him the 20th-Century’s greatest classical pianist. Cole was cited as a leading singer of the 1940s and 1950s.

The inclusion of Clark was a surprise because he produces the American Music Awards, which competes with the Grammys. The shows are a month apart and many artists will appear on only one show, fearing overexposure.

“We don’t view these shows as competitive and when you look at the big contribution Clark has made to the recording industry, especially in exposing new talent, there is no question he is deserving,” Greene said.

Clark will receive the Trustees Award because he is a non-performing contributor to music. Past recipients include Thomas Edison and Robert Moog.