Neil Portnow, president of The Recording Academy - which runs the Grammys - called the recipients a "prestigious group of legendary performers, creative architects and technical visionaries". He added: "Their outstanding accomplishments, legendary passion and artistry have positively affected our culture and will continue to influence and inspire generations to come." Dean Martin died on Christmas Day in 1995.
Festive Chart Facts - X Factor winner Alexandra Burke has taken the Christmas number one slot with Hallelujah, beating Jeff Buckley's version of the song into second place. Burke's single became the fastest-selling by a female solo artist, with 576,000 copies sold. Buckley, who drowned in an accident in Memphis in 1997 at the age of 30, recorded his version in 1994. Leonard Cohen, who wrote the hit more than 20 years ago, also hit number 36 with his original version.Northern Rock - AC/DC are about to be paid a glowing tribute at Holyrood in recognition of the rock band's Scottish roots. South of Scotland MSP Christine Grahame has lodged a parliamentary motion calling for the achievements of the group to be acknowledged. Founding members Angus and Malcolm Young were born in Glasgow before the family moved to Australia in 1963. And former frontman Bon Scott was born in Kirriemuir, where there is a memorial plaque in his honour.
In the Auction Rooms - A cassette tape of a "drunk" John Lennon recording a cover version of a rock 'n' roll song has sold at auction in Los Angeles for $30,000 (£20,200). The six-minute recording, made in autumn 1973, is of Lennon performing Lloyd Price's Just Because. "Debauched lyrics" improvised by "a drunk Lennon" include "just a little cocaine will set me right", auction house Bonhams and Butterfields said. The tape was given to the unnamed seller 30 years ago, it added. The successful bidder at Sunday's auction was also not named.
(Jim Evans)
