George Harrison is to be honoured posthumously with the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement award.

The late Beatles singer, who died in 2001 at the age of 58, and Australian music group The Bee Gees, with Barry Gibb the only surviving member, are among the latest recipients of the organisation’s annual special merit awards.

George Harrison (AP)
George Harrison (AP)

French composer Pierre Boulez, blues guitarist Buddy Guy, Tex-Mex accordionist Flaco Jimenez, country duo the Louvin Brothers, and jazz saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter will also be presented with the honours.

A special ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on February 7, the day before the Grammy Awards at the Staples Centre.

Recording Academy president and CEO Neil Portnow said: “This year we pay tribute to exceptional creators who have made prolific contributions to our culture and history.

“It is an honour and a privilege to recognise such a diverse group of talented trailblazers, whose incomparable bodies of work and timeless legacies will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.”

The Bee Gees
The Bee Gees (Andrew Stuart/PA)

The Bee Gees’ Maurice Gibb died in 2003 at the age of 53, while his brother Robin died in 2012 at 62.

Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran are among stars in the running for next year’s Grammy Awards. The Stay With Me singer is up for three Grammys, while Ed’s new album x has had nods in the album of the year and best pop vocal album categories.