Academy Kicks Off 50th Celebration
Year-long celebration will include GRAMMY Museum launch, retrospective book and GRAMMY Brand fashion line
GRAMMY.com
The Recording Academy today announced its plans for a year-long celebration of its milestone 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards, which will air live on CBS from Los Angeles' Staples Center on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. Recording Academy President Neil Portnow was joined by 27-time GRAMMY winner and 50th Celebration ambassador Quincy Jones, as well as multi-platinum recording artist and GRAMMY winner Joss Stone.
Jones, who was one of the founding members of The Recording Academy, and Stone helped unveil the official artwork for the 50th GRAMMYs and announce a slate of activities for music fans and the music industry, including the GRAMMY Museum, a retrospective illustrated coffee table book, and the GRAMMY Brand fashion line. The Celebration starts today and will continue through 2008. Also in attendance were Recording Academy Vice Chairman Jimmy Jam and Los Angeles Chapter Governor Dave Koz, as well as other music industry executives and VIPs.
"For some it's a milestone — but we're just getting started," said Portnow. "Over the past 50 years, the GRAMMY Awards has become the world's most famous music telecast and the highest honor bestowed upon music makers. The GRAMMY Awards continue to push the envelope for never-before-seen live musical performances from new and established artists across all genres while The Recording 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."
As part of its 50th Celebration activities, The Recording Academy has named Jones its official ambassador. A member of The Academy for more than 40 years and a member of the GRAMMY Foundation's Board of Directors since 1992, Jones will participate in various hallmark cultural and educational events spotlighting music and the arts over the next year and a half as The Academy celebrates its remarkable 50-year history with an eye toward the future.
"I am so proud to be one of the founding members of this organization that now represents 18,000 music makers," said Jones. "I am honored to be an ambassador as The Recording Academy celebrates its influential 50-year history with a celebration of events and activities for music fans and music makers, all while keeping the importance of music education and preservation at the forefront of its efforts."
Jones will also be honored for his lifetime commitment and dedication to social, cultural, economic and educational issues with the GRAMMY Foundation Leadership Award at the Starry Night benefit concert and dinner on July 28. For more information about the 50th Celebration initiatives and events, please click here.
