FOUR TOPS AND MARTIN TO RECEIVE GRAMMYS.

The FOUR TOPS and Rat Pack star DEAN MARTIN are among the stars set to receive a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement. The doo-wop quartet, best known for their hits Reach Out I'll Be There and I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch), will be honoured for their contributions in defining the Motown sound. Martin, who died in 1995, will receive a posthumous tribute.

The Recording Academy President Neil Portnow insists the recipients are a "prestigious group of legendary performers, creative architects and technical visionaries". Portnow adds, "Their outstanding accomplishments, legendary passion and artistry have positively affected our culture and will continue to influence and inspire generations to come." Gene Autry, the Blind Boys Of Alabama, Hank Jones, Tom Paxton and Brenda Lee will also be recognised for their musical careers at a ceremony in Los Angeles on 7 February (09) - a day before the 51st annual Grammy Awards.