BLACK SABBATH is among the artists who will receive a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award next year. According to the Recording Academy, the Lifetime Achievement Award honors musicians who have "made outstanding contributions of artistic significance to the field of recording" over the decades. Also receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award next year are George Clinton & PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC, Billy Eckstine, Donny Hathaway, Julio Iglesias, Sam & Dave and Dionne Warwick. A special award presentation ceremony and concert celebrating the honorees will be held on May 11, 2019, in Los Angeles. Additional details regarding the ceremony will be announced in the coming weeks. In a press release, the Recording Academy wrote about BLACK SABBATH: "From their power riffs to their dark, gothic imagery, BLACK SABBATH arguably invented the heavy metal signposts and influenced every heavy rock band that followed." Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement: "Each year, the Recording Academy has the distinct privilege of celebrating music industry giants who have greatly contributed to our cultural heritage. This year, we have a gifted and brilliant group of honorees and their exceptional accomplishments, contributions, and artistry will continue to influence and inspire generations to come." In February 2017, SABBATH finished "The End" tour in Birmingham, closing out the quartet's groundbreaking 49-year career. "The End" was SABBATH's last tour because guitarist Tony Iommi, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and is currently in remission, can no longer travel for extended amounts of time. SABBATH wrote and recorded its 2013 reunion album, "13", and toured it all over the world while Iommi was going through treatment for his illness, with the guitarist having to fly back to England every six weeks. The original lineup of SABBATH came together in 1969 with Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, Geezer Butler on bass and Bill Ward on drums. That lineup recorded and toured through 1978, and periodically reformed through the '90s and 2000s for live work. They regrouped again in late 2011 for a new album and tour, although Ward dropped out after a few months over financial issues. SABBATH has used Ozzy's regular touring drummer Tommy Clufetos since then for live work. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Brad Wilk laid down the drum tracks on "13", which came out in June 2013.
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