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Nirvana to Be Honored at Grammy Special Merit Awards Ceremony

For the first time since 2020’s Grammy Week, the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards Ceremony will return this year. The event celebrates the Academy’s 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award, Trustees Award,…

Nirvana
Kirk Weddle/UMG

For the first time since 2020's Grammy Week, the Recording Academy's Special Merit Awards Ceremony will return this year. The event celebrates the Academy's 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award, Trustees Award, Technical Grammy Award, and Best Song for Social Change Award recipients.

The production is set for Feb. 4, 2023, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles.

Nirvana is among the 2023 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. Nile Rodgers, Slick Rick, the Supremes and Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson of Heart are also being honored. In addition, Henry Diltz, Ellis Marsalis and Jim Stewart will receive the Trustees Award. The Audio Engineering Society and Dr. Andy Hildebrand will be the Technical Grammy Award honorees.

In naming Nirvana as an award recipient, the Academy said the impact of the band's breakout single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," would transform Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl into "one of the most successful and influential musical entities of all time."

"The Academy is proud to celebrate this diverse slate of influential music people spanning numerous genres and crafts as our 2023 Special Merit Awards honorees," Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement. "Each creator on this list has made an impact on our industry — from technical to creative achievements — representing the breadth of music’s diverse community. We’re excited to celebrate this group of legends next month that continues to inspire and shape the music world."

26 Albums that Turn 30 in 2023

When it comes to albums that turn 30 in 2023, there's something for everyone.

If you're a fan of the "unplugged" trend, three artists released killer unplugged LPs: Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and Rod Stewart. Love female singer-songwriters? Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crow, Liz Phair, PJ Harvey and Bjork released some incredible albums. Dig major rock bands? Aerosmith, Tool, Radiohead, U2, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and more released some must-own LPs.

Scroll below to see 26 albums that turn 30 in 2023!

Tool - ‘Undertow’

Released April 6, 1993.

Bruce Springsteen - ‘In Concert/MTV Plugged’

Released April 12, 1993.

Nirvana - ‘In Utero’

Released September 21, 1993.

Smashing Pumpkins - ‘Siamese Dream’

Released July 27, 1993.

Depeche Mode - ‘Songs of Faith and Devotion’

Released March 22, 1993.

Bjork - ‘Debut’

Released July 5, 1993.

PJ Harvey - ‘Rid of Me’

Released May 4, 1993.

Blur - ‘Modern Life Is Rubbish’

Released May 10, 1993.

Liz Phair - ‘Exile in Guyville’

Released June 22, 1993.

Counting Crows - ‘August and Everything After’

Released September 14, 1993.

Radiohead - ‘Pablo Honey’

Released February 22, 1993.

Pearl Jam - ‘Vs.’

Released October 19, 1993.

The Cranberries - ‘Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?’

Released March 1, 1993.

U2 - ‘Zooropa’

Released July 5, 1993.

Lenny Kravitz - ‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’

Released March 9, 1993.

Sting - ‘Ten Summoner’s Tales’

Released March 1, 1993.

Meat Loaf - ‘Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell’

Released September 14, 1993.

Duran Duran - ‘Duran Duran’

Released February 11, 1993.

David Bowie - ‘Black Tie White Noise’

Released April 5, 1993.

Aerosmith - ‘Get a Grip’

Released April 20, 1993.

Rod Stewart - ‘Unplugged…and Seated’

Released May 24, 1993.

Neil Young - ‘Neil Young Unplugged’

Released June 15, 1993.

Sheryl Crow - ‘Tuesday Night Music Club’

Released August 3, 1993.

Billy Joel - ‘River of Dreams’

Released August 10, 1993.

Melissa Etheridge - ‘Yes I Am’

Released September 21, 1993.

Guns N’ Roses - ‘The Spaghetti Incident?’

Released November 23, 1993.

Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.