Francis Ford Coppola, Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt to Receive Kennedy Honors

The Kennedy Center has announced the honorees for its 47th annual Kennedy Center Honors, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

This year’s distinguished honorees include renowned director Francis Ford Coppola, the legendary rock band The Grateful Dead, celebrated singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt, acclaimed trumpeter and pianist Arturo Sandoval, and Harlem’s historic Apollo Theater, which will receive special recognition.

Kennedy Center Chairman David N. Rubenstein issued a statement saying, “The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes artists who have made an extraordinary impact on the cultural life of our nation and continue to have an immeasurable influence on new generations.”

Highlighting the career of Francis Ford Coppola, Rubenstein remarked, “A brilliant and masterful storyteller with an unrelenting innovative spirit, Francis Ford Coppola’s films have become embedded in the very idea of American culture.” The celebrated filmmaker, now 85, premiered his latest project, Megalopolis, at Cannes earlier this year, with a broader release slated for IMAX cinemas on September 27.

Discussing The Grateful Dead, Rubenstein stated, “A social and cultural phenomenon since 1965, the Grateful Dead’s music has never stopped being a true American original, while inspiring a fan culture like no other.” Formed in 1965, the rock band is well-known for their improvisational live performances that have captivated their dedicated fans, known as Deadheads. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, and one of their performances was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2012.

Praising Bonnie Raitt, Rubenstein said, “Bonnie Raitt has made us love her again and again with her inimitable voice, slide guitar, and endless musical range encompassing blues, R&B, country rock, and folk.” The talented singer-songwriter was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

Turning to the influential jazz musician Arturo Sandoval, Rubenstein noted, “An ambassador of both music and humanity, Arturo Sandoval transcended literal borders coming from Cuba 30+ years ago and today continues to bridge cultures with his intoxicating blend of Afro Cuban rhythms and modern jazz.” A prolific artist, Sandoval has won 10 Grammy Awards and one Emmy Award, having performed at prestigious venues including the White House and the Super Bowl in 1995.

Celebrating the Apollo Theater, Rubenstein stated, “And on its 90th anniversary, The Apollo, one of the most consequential, influential institutions in history, has elevated the voices of Black entertainment in New York City, nationally, and around the world, and launched the careers of legions of artists.” The theater is both a New York City landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Kennedy Center Honors annually recognize significant contributions to American culture from those in the performing arts. Established in 1978, the honors culminate in a grand gala held every December at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C. Typically awarded to individuals, the Honors have also been given to duos, musical groups, a Broadway musical, a TV show, and entertainment venues.

A White House reception traditionally hosted by the President of the United States and the First Lady kicks off the ceremonies, followed by a gala performance at the Kennedy Center and a formal supper. Notably, there have been only three instances before 2017 when the sitting president did not attend the gala. President Jimmy Carter missed the 1979 honors due to the Iran Hostage Crisis, President George H.W. Bush was on a trip to Brussels in 1989, and President Bill Clinton was in Budapest in 1994. In each case, the First Lady attended in their stead.

The absence of the president and the first lady together was first recorded in 2017, when President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump chose not to attend to “allow the honorees to celebrate without any political distraction.” Caroline Kennedy acted as the host instead. The Trumps also did not attend the 2018 and 2019 events. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the 2020 edition, with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcoming that year’s honorees to the White House, though they did not attend any following events.

For the 2021 edition, the Bidens graced the Dec. 5 gala performance, marking the first attendance by a sitting president and first lady since 2016. The previous year’s honorees included Billy Crystal, Queen Latifah, Dionne Warwick, Barry Gibb, and Renée Fleming. This year’s Kennedy Center Honors will be bestowed on December 8, with the event televised on CBS on December 23, continuing the network’s tradition of broadcasting all editions of the awards.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter