The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is proud to announce the 47th Kennedy Center Honorees, celebrating the lifetime achievements of an extraordinary group of artists. This year, the legendary American rock band the Grateful Dead (Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, Bobby Weir) joins the ranks of honorees for their unparalleled contribution to music and culture. The 2024 Honorees also include acclaimed director and filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, blues rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Bonnie Raitt, jazz trumpeter, pianist, and composer Arturo Sandoval, and The Apollo, which will receive a special Honor as an iconic American institution.
David M. Rubenstein, Kennedy Center Chairman, remarked: "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. 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; 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; 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; '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; 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."
Deborah F. Rutter, Kennedy Center President, added: "Our Honorees this year have each played an invaluable, pioneering role in developing American culture—not with one act of art but with their decades-long devotion to pushing creative boundaries. In December, we are thrilled to pay special tribute to New York City’s renowned Apollo Theater on its 90th anniversary. Throughout its history, The Apollo has guided us and the world forward by discovering and nurturing raw talent, molding a unique cultural identity that defines American culture still today. Across Honors weekend, artists with special connections to the Apollo will serve as ambassadors of the institution’s legacy."
The Grateful Dead: Pioneers of American Music
Formed in 1965, the Grateful Dead have become an enduring symbol of American musical innovation and cultural influence. With a distinctive blend of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, space music, and gospel, the band has created a unique sound that has captivated audiences for nearly six decades. Known for their improvisational style and extensive live performances, the Grateful Dead have cultivated a dedicated fan base, affectionately known as "Deadheads," fostering a vibrant community that transcends generations.
The band's members, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bobby Weir, continue to be influential figures in music, both as individuals and as a collective. Their legacy is celebrated not only through their recordings and live shows but also through their profound impact on the music industry and popular culture.
Tune In This December
The Kennedy Center Honors will celebrate the achievements of the Grateful Dead and the other distinguished honorees this December. The event will be broadcast on CBS, allowing audiences nationwide to join in recognizing the remarkable contributions of these artists.
Stay tuned to our feed today to meet all of the 47th Kennedy Center Honorees and join us in celebrating their lifetime achievements.
For more information, please visit Kennedy Center Honors.
