Phil Spector, who died on Saturday (Jan. 16) at age 81, may be best known today as a convicted killer, but he was one of the most successful and celebrated producers of the rock era.

Spector and George Harrison co-produced The Concert for Bangladesh, which won a 1972 Grammy for album of the year. The triple-disk album, recorded live at Madison Square Garden on Aug. 1, 1971, featured many of the biggest rock stars of the era, including Harrison, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and Leon Russell.

Spector and Harrison had been Grammy-nominated in that category the previous year for producing Harrison’s smash solo album, All Things Must Pass, which was also a triple-disk opus. The album yielded the smash single “My Sweet Lord,” for which they were nominated for record of the year.

Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 in the non-performers category. (The award was renamed in honor of Ahmet Ertegun in 2008.) Spector was inducted by Tina Turner, who, with her then-husband Ike Turner, recorded the 1966 single “River Deep, Mountain High,” which Spector produced. (The single flopped at the time — it stalled at No. 88 on the Hot 100 — but is now regarded as a classic.)

Spector was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2005, he shared the SHOF’s Towering Song Award with legendary songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil for co-writing “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.” Only 20 other songs have won that award.

Spector received a Trustees Award — the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award for people whose primary contributions is behind-the-scenes — from the Recording Academy in 2000. He was one of two recipients of the award that year, the other being legendary record executive Clive Davis.

None of these awards have been rescinded. By contrast, the Kennedy Center Honors rescinded Bill Cosby’s 1998 award, and the Television Academy Hall of Fame rescinded his 1991 award. Both awards were revoked in 2018 following Cosby’s rape conviction. The Kennedy Center Honors site still lists his name, followed by the explanation, “*rescinded in 2018.” The Television Academy Hall of Fame site simply doesn’t list his name anymore.

Spector probably would have won more Grammys, but many Grammy voters were cool to rock in the 1960s, when he was at his creative and commercial peak. The Grammys didn’t have categories devoted exclusively to rock until 1979. Also, they didn’t introduce their producer of the year, non-classical award until 1974.

But many songs and albums that Spector wrote and/or produced have been voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, including The Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” (inducted in 1998), Phil Spector & Various Artists’ A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector (1999), The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” (1999), Ike & Tina Turner’s “River Deep, Mountain High” (1999), John Lennon Plastic Ono Band’s “Imagine” (1999), Ben E. King’s “Spanish Harlem” (2002), The Crystals’ “He’s a Rebel” (2004) and Harrison’s All Things Must Pass (2014).

The Grammy Hall of Fame is open to all recordings that are at least 25 years old.

Ahead of the Jan. 20 inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the 59th Presidential Inaugural Committee hosted a virtual welcome event on Saturday to honor America’s history and the incoming administration.

Hollywood personalities including Whoopi Goldberg and Darren Criss appeared in the livestream, which opened with a musical number from the resistance revival chorus. Girl Scouts followed by doing the Pledge of Allegiance.

First generation Mexican American Cristela Alonzo introduced the event, noting that she is a daughter of immigrants, with Spanish as her first language. “This is the beginning of the next chapter in our country,” she said. “Remember, change is possible. We proved that this past November.”

Among the guests, many of them from Latino advocacy and civil rights organizations, was Deb Haaland, former chairwoman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico; and Claudette White, who shared a traditional tribal song. The overarching theme was the celebration of Joe Biden and the “victory” that is Kamala Harris a the first woman vice president-elect, as well as the first Black woman and first woman of South Asian descent.

Janet Murguia talked about how multi-ethnic democracy requires leadership, and that the best days of this country are ahead of us. “Women of color are leading the way and saying, ‘it’s our time,’ she said, referencing the tireless work of Stacey Abrams. She also cited the background of Harris, who is the daughter of an Indian mother and Jamaican father, noting that it was similar to her own story.

Actor Nik Dodani declared, “It’s finally a new year, which means it’s finally time for a new president.” Later in the event, a number of people in the American workforce were interviewed about their allegiance to Biden and Harris, among them an industrial mechanic and laundres. “He cares about people, and that’s the person we need in office,” said one individual.

Whoopi Goldberg appeared in the livestream and shared how excited she is to usher in a “new era” for our country. “We should feel optimistic for a very important reason,” the actor said, adding that reason being her trust in Biden and Harris to lead us through “whatever we’re going to be facing.” Glee and Hollywood star Darren Criss spoke of how he was a junior in high school when Harris was elected as a district attorney. “It is an absolutely privilege and honor to be performing for these two incredible people as they make history.”

Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms noted that this inauguration is happening amid a national crisis, making it a moment for “reflection” and “vast promise” toward a brighter future. “Joe and Kamala are the right leaders for this moment,” she said, adding that this new administration will ensure that all Americans have a seat at the table and have their voices heard.

“Let’s all resolve to join in that journey of renewal,” said Bottoms. “I’m so happy and so relieved that this day has come.”

The last guest of the event was Harris herself, who emphasized the fact that while she may be the first woman to serve as vice president, she will not be the last. Harris said that she “stands on the shoulders” of the generations of Americans who struggled in the years before her to open up opportunities in this country, and encouraged children to see themselves as “future leaders.”

“It is the honor of my life to be your next vice president,” Harris concluded.

America United: An Inauguration Welcome was streamed live via the Presidential Inaugural Committee social media pages.

Looking ahead to Jan. 20, Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem at the Biden-Harris inauguration in Washington, D.C., while Jennifer Lopez is also set to perform.

Concluding the day’s events, Tom Hanks will host a 90-minute primetime special Celebrating America, with remarks from Biden and Harris and performances from Jon Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato and more.

The special airs from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and MSNBC, while also streaming on PIC’s YouTube and social media channels.

This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.

Chris Murphy, the Australian entrepreneur who managed rock band INXS, has died. He was 66.

“It is with great sadness that Caroline Murphy and family confirm that Christopher (CM) Mark Murphy, Chairman of Murphy Petrol Group, has today passed away peacefully at his beloved Ballina property ‘Sugar Beach Ranch’ surrounded by his family,” Murphy Petrol Group wrote in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.

While no cause of death was provided, the statement noted that Murphy battled Mantle Cell lymphoma.

“CM celebrated an illustrious career over 40 years and made an incredible impact on the global music and entertainment industry,” the statement continued. “Best known for taking his ‘band of brothers’ INXS to worldwide stardom, CM Murphy influenced the lives of many around the globe with his endless passion and drive. He will be greatly missed.”

Led by the late Michael Hutchence, INXS was one of the most successful groups to emerge from Australia in the late 1970s and sold approximately 70 million records worldwide during their career.

The surviving band members wrote in a tribute to Murphy, “Without Chris’s vision, passion and hard work, the INXS story would be totally different. Chris’s star burned very bright and we celebrate a life well lived and send all our love to his family. Garry, Andrew, Tim, Jon and Kirk.”

Murphy was also known for working with Australian country group The Buckleys — consisting of siblings Sarah, Lachlan and Molly Buckley — who remembered the “strength” of Murphy.

“Chris has been our guardian angel from the day we met him and he will continue to be for the rest of our lives,” they wrote in a joint tribute. “As with everyone who was so blessed to have known him – the strength, passion, guidance and love he ignites is forever lasting. We are so grateful to have walked this earth with him, our best friend, greatest champion and mentor. His spirit and light will forever live within and around us.”

Aside from his music pursuits, Murphy is remembered for his “competitive spirit” and love of agriculture, surfing, rugby, racing pigeons and horse breeding.

He is survived by wife Caroline and children Stevey, Jeri, Jack, Louis and Charlie; and his grandchildren Asher, Samantha, Bella, Axel, Harley and Reuben; his mother Janice and sisters Charne and Tanya.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that trees are gifted to contribute to a memorial at Murphy’s property in Ballina, New South Wales.

This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.