Beatles, Kris Kristofferson, Isley Brothers honored at Grammys event

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Jan. 26 (UPI) -- The Beatles, Kris Kristofferson and the Isley Brothers received Special Merit Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., during Grammy week, the Recording Academy said.

Seven honorees received the lifetime achievement award at the Saturday ceremony, Variety reported.

"It's a lifetime achievement award but I feel like we've all got a lot more life in us," Ringo Starr said in accepting the award for the Beatles. "Beatles music is still out there and that's the thing I'm most proud of."

During Kristofferson's acceptance speech, he noted that he suffers memory problems due to trauma he suffered during his early years as a boxer.

"I can't say that I'm not moved by this but I can say that I can't think of anything to say," Kristofferson said. "I'd better go before I say something really stupid."

Isley Brothers members Ernie Isley, Ronald Isley and Chris Jasper accepted the band's award.

German techno-pioneers Kraftwerk, zydeco great Clifton Chenier, classical musician Maud Powell and singer-songwriter Armando Manzanero also received lifetime achievement awards at the ceremony.

The Saturday ceremony was a precursor to the 2014 Grammy Awards ceremony Sunday night.