The Beatles were presented with a long-overdue Lifetime Achievement Award at a special pre-Grammy Special Merit Award ceremony held on Saturday afternoon.

Ringo Starr, George Harrison's widow Olivia and John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono were on hand to accept the award. Paul McCartney was unable to attend because he was rehearsing for his performance at the televised Grammy ceremony, which takes place tonight. The Beatles were chosen for the Lifetime Achievement Award this year alongside the Isley Brothers, Kris Kristofferson, Kraftwerk, Clifton Chenier, Armando Manzanero and Maud Powell.

“It’s a Lifetime Achievement Award, but I feel like we’ve all got a lot more life left in us,” said Starr (as quoted by U-T San Diego). “The Beatles’ music is still out there and that’s what I’m most proud of.”

Starr and McCartney are both expected to perform at tonight's ceremony. They will perform together at a special tribute, 'The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles,' which will air Feb. 9, the 50th anniversary of their former band's famous debut on 'The Ed Sullivan Show.'

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