Leonard Cohen and Michael Jackson awarded special Grammy Award

Leonard Cohen and Michael Jackson were among a list of artists who received Lifetime Achievement awards from the Grammys Saturday.

Cohen, who has never received a Grammy for his own work, quipped, "As we make our way toward the finish line that some of us have already crossed, I never thought I'd get a Grammy award. In fact, I was always touched by the modesty of their interest," he said to loud applause.

The “Suzanne” hitmaker had previously only won a single Grammy in his 4 decade long career for his participation on Herbie Hancock’s album, “River: The Joni Letters,” which won album of the year at the 2008 Grammys.

In the absence of the Jackson family’s presence at the awards, M.J.’s former manager, Frank DiLeo, received the award for the deceased pop superstar, describing the King of Pop as "a funny guy, he had a sense of humor like none of you ever knew."

Jackson, who died of a drug overdose last year, has won 13 Grammys during the course of his career.

Along with Cohen and Jackson, the Academy also recognized the achievements of crooner Bobby Darin, blues musician David "Honeyboy" Edwards, country star Loretta Lynn, pianist Andre Previn, and fluegelhorn player Clark Terry.

Did you know? Fellow Canadian singer-songerwriter Neil Young, who has also never been awarded a Grammy for his work, was honoured as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year at ceremony held before the 52nd Grammy Awards.