Steve Jobs's (News - Alert) passion for music was honored at the this year’s 54th Grammy Awards which just took place last night, when he received the Trustees Award for his creation of Apple (News - Alert) iTunes.
Jobs was recognized as part of the Grammy Special Merit Awards for his part in creating the iPod and iTunes, and the effect both have had on the music industry. IBN Live reported that the Jobs was chosen because he transformed the way we consume music, TV, movies, and books.
"Accepting this award means so much to me because music meant so much to him," said Eddy Cue, senior vice president of Internet software and services at Apple, who accepted the awards on Jobs’s behalf. "He told us that music shaped his life. It made him who he was. “
Cue saw Jobs as not only a visionary in the technology world, but a mentor and a very close friend. "I had the incredible honor of working with him for the last 15 years. Accepting this award means so much to me, because music meant so much to him," he added.
The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences awards its Grammy Trustees Award every year to individuals who have made significant contributions, other than performance to the field of music recording. Past recipients of this award include Walt Disney (News - Alert) and Dick Clark.
According to the Huffington Post, Grammy organizers said Jobs was a "creative visionary” and the iPod, iPhone (News - Alert) and iPad has been used in ways that “revolutionized the consumption of music.”
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma played at Job’s funeral and before his untimely demise at his wedding. In a statement on Grammy.com, Yo-Yo Ma said, "His life's work was a reflection of his father Paul's lesson: When you make something, make sure the back is as beautiful as the front, even if nobody sees it."
Back in 2001, the public questioned why Apple would make a music player when the first iPod was unveiled. The company chose to make the iPod because they loved music, and Jobs believed it's always good to do something you love, Cue explained.
Jobs won the Trustee Award along with Dave Bartholomew, a prominent New Orleans band leader and arranger, and Rudy Van Gelder, an American recording engineer specializing in jazz.
The award is the second Grammy given to Jobs, as Apple also won a technical Grammy award in 2002.