This Special Merit Award is presented "to individuals or groups for ongoing contributions and influence in the recording field." The GRAMMY Legend Award was inaugurated in 1990. Here are the recipients:

1990 Andrew Lloyd Webber Liza Minnelli Willie Nelson Smokey Robinson 1991 Johnny Cash Aretha Franklin Billy Joel Quincy Jones 1992 Barbra Streisand

1993 Michael Jackson 1994 Curtis Mayfield Frank Sinatra

1998 Luciano Pavarotti 1999 Elton John 2003 Bee Gees