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Jet, March 15, 1993

Michael Jackson added a special Grammy Award to his growing collection of honors during the recent 35th Annual Grammy Awards telecast in L.A.

Jackson was presented with the Grammy Legends Award by baby sister, Janet, who sported long, brown braids. Jackson showed his sense of humor by telling the crowd that his appearance on-stage with Janet should end rumors that they're one and the same.

During a seven-minute speech, Jackson said: "In the past month, I've gone from |Were is he?' to |Here he is again.' But I must confess it feels good to be thought of as a person, not as a personality. Because I don't read all of the things written about me, I wasn't aware that the world thought I was so weird and bizarre."

Besides Jackson, special Grammys went to "Little" Richard Penniman and the late music greats Thelonious Monk and Fats Waller. Penniman voiced tremendous displeasure at his award being presented before the telecast began for the sake of time. He received a standing ovation when introduced to the crowd.

The multi-generational group Arrested Development, whose ages range from 18 to 61, won two awards. The hit songwriting team of L.A. and Babyface was named producers of the year. Other winners include Chaka Khan, the late Miles Davis, Al Jarreau, Bobby McFerrin, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Peabo Bryson, Shirley Caesar, Edwin Hawkins, Boyz II Men, Teddy Riley, Shabba Ranks, Branford Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Shirley Horn, Benny Carter and Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

Backstage at the Shrine Auditorium, Patti LaBelle announced that she and former Labelle members Nona Hendrix and Sarah Dash will reunite for something special in the future.

Boyz II Men explained their humility by saying: "If we become bigheaded our parents would beat our butts." They said all those around them have kept them under control. At some point, they may tour with members of New Edition.

Vanessa Williams said that she already knows that her third child will be a boy (she has two girls already) and is due sometime in April. She also pointed out that her hit Save the Best for Last was reportedly turned down by representatives of Barbara Streisand and Bette Midler.

Magic Johnson, who became the first athlete to win a Grammy, for his spoken-word, recording What You Can Do To Avoid AIDS, told reporters that he ranks his award right up there with his Olympic gold for the Dream Team basketball squad last year. "This is special because it (the video) gets the message out."

When asked what kind of music he listens to, Magic said that when the lights go out, he always listens to ballads by people like Luther Vandross.