Lady Gaga to pay tribute to the late David Bowie at the Grammys

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- The Recording Academy says it has tapped Lady Gaga to perform a tribute to Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient David Bowie, who died of cancer last month at the age of 69.

"Affording audiences a chance to experience Bowie's music once again, the tribute will be a multi-sensory testament to the superstar's incredible artistry and a reflection of his limitless creativity," a news release said.

LL Cool J is hosting the prize presentation -- which honors excellence in all genres of music -- at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 15. The event will air on CBS. Lady Gaga joins previously announced performers Adele, James Bay, Andra Day, Ellie Goulding, Sam Hunt, Tori Kelly, Kendrick Lamar, Little Big Town, Carrie Underwood and The Weeknd.

"We had already booked Lady Gaga on this year's show, but when David passed -- almost in a single moment -- we knew we had to change direction. We immediately spoke and agreed that she should be the one to honor David. She's perfect for it. So I reached out to [musical director] Nile [Rogers] and, before long, we were on our way to creating what we believe will not only make a great Grammy moment, but one fitting of David," the telecast's executive producer Ken Ehrlich said in a statement Tuesday.