Sir Lucian Grainge was the recipient of the coveted “Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award,” which was one of the three special awards of the evening. The “Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award” is tailored for entertainers or “star makers” in the music business who have been responsible for a substantial number of hit songs for a lengthy period of time, and who recognize the importance of songs and the songwriters.
The other two recipients of special events included Sara Bareilles (“Hal David Starlight Award”) and Neil Diamond, who received the biggest honor bestowed by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the “Johnny Mercer Award.”
A veteran music executive and native of London, England, Grainge is the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Universal Music Group, which is the world leader in music entertainment.
In 2010, Grainge was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), and in 2016, Grainge was knighted by Prince William at Buckingham Palace, for his accomplishments in the music industry and his leadership through its challenging times.
Canadian singer-songwriter and producer The Weeknd presented Sir Lucian Grainge with the prestigious “Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award,” after Ariana Grande’s surprise performance.
To learn more about Sir Lucian Grainge, check out the official website of the Universal Music Group.