Bowie and Cream get lifetime achievement

David Bowie and Eric Clapton-fronted band Cream are to be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Grammy award next month.

The 'Ziggy Stardust' star and the proto-heavy metal band will accept the coveted award during the Grammy awards ceremony on February 8th, though the award will actually be formally recognised on the 7th.

Other legends gaining Lifetime Achievement awards include country icon Merle Haggard, comedy innovator Richard Pryor, blues legend Robert Johnson, opera vocalist Jessye Norman and pre-eminent folk quartet the Weavers.

Other nominations of note include Mariah Carey and Kanye West, both of which have picked up eight nominations for awards.