George Michael & Prince to Be Honored at This Year’s Grammys

For many reasons 2016 will be a year remembered in infamy. Beyond the glaring social catastrophes it was also a year plagued with the losses of notable celebrities, including music greats Prince and George Michael.

Today, it was announced that the 59th Annual Grammy Awards will pay tribute to Prince and Michael when the show airs this Sunday, February 12. Michael, a gay musician, won two Grammys in the late '80s, including album of the year in 1989 for Faith, and Prince earned himself seven of the golden gramophones.

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"George Michael and Prince were pop icons who showcased rare musical genius and otherworldly charisma, said Neil Portnow, President and CEO of The Recording Academy in a release. "While each possessed a distinct style and sound, they were both adored by audiences worldwide. The passings of two such creative innovators were a huge loss for the creative community; The Recording Academy is humbled to pay homage to their tremendous legacies on the GRAMMY stage."

In addition to this tribute, the Grammy Awards stage will also notably welcome a duet from Lady Gaga and Metallica, a breakout performance from Chicago's Chance the Rapper, and a long-awaited comeback from Katy Perry, who will debut her new single, "Chained to the Rhythm." This year's ceremony airs at 8 p.m. this Sunday on CBS.