Singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt, filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, jazz musician Arturo Sandoval, and rock band the Grateful Dead were celebrated at the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday. The ceremony also recognized Harlem’s Apollo Theater, marking the first time an institution received the prestigious U.S. arts achievement award.
The audience gave a standing ovation to outgoing President Joe Biden, who earlier praised artists for using their talents to challenge power fearlessly. Biden has attended the event every year of his term, unlike President-elect Donald Trump, who skipped it during his first term. Kennedy Center officials expressed hope Trump might attend during his second.
Politics largely stayed out of the event, save for a joke by comedian David Letterman about packing in as many ceremonies as possible before Trump’s January inauguration.
The evening began with a tribute to Bonnie Raitt, a 13-time Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus praised Raitt’s soulful presence before performances of her classics “Angel from Montgomery” by Dave Matthews and Emmylou Harris, and “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Brandi Carlile with Sheryl Crow on piano.
Jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, who defected from Cuba, was lauded by musician Chris Botti before a performance of “Smile.”
The Apollo Theater’s tribute featured stories from Dave Chappelle about his teenage debut there and Queen Latifah’s reflection on its impact on Black artists.
Francis Ford Coppola was honored for his films, including The Godfather series and Apocalypse Now. Actor Robert De Niro called his work challenging yet timeless.
The show concluded with a Grateful Dead tribute featuring Dave Matthews and Maggie Rogers. Band member Mickey Hart said the music’s spirit still thrives.
The ceremony airs on CBS, Dec. 22.
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