Joe Biden held his closing Kennedy Center Honors final night time, paying tribute to the Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt, and Francis Ford Coppola, amongst others. A reception passed off on the White House on Sunday and noticed Biden celebrating the Dead’s profession.
“In the San Francisco Bay at an inflection level in historical past, the Grateful Dead have lengthy since transcended Nineteen Sixties counterculture,” Biden mentioned in a speech. “Technical virtuosos fiercely devoted to their craft, they fused many years and dozens of musical types to create a complete new American sound. Experimental, modern and courageous.”
He continued, “Their lyrics inform the story of dreamers and rebels, by iconic jams or only a efficiency, they’re not simply that they’re an ongoing dialog with generations of ‘Doo-Dah’ followers with a whole bunch and a whole bunch of songs. Record of 59 prime 40 albums, 59. 23,000 live shows from Woodstock to Egypt’s nice pyramids. One of the most well-liked bands ever to be watched dwell in live performance.”
The president added, “Look, there’s nonetheless loads of Deadheads round,” pointing at himself. “No two performances even the identical, however their spirit and pleasure is enduring,” he mentioned. “Tonight we honor Bobby, Bill and Mickey.”
Band members Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart, and Bob Weir attended the occasion, whereas bassist Phil Lesh, who died in October at age 84, was represented by his son Grahame and frontman Jerry Garcia, who died in 1995, was represented by his daughter Trixie.
During the reception, Biden paid tribute to Raitt, noting she obtained her first guitar for Christmas. “Thank you Santa,” he quipped. He additionally honored Coppola and jazz musician Arturo Sandoval, in addition to New York City establishment the Apollo.
The artists have been then honored on the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts throughout the official Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, which might be broadcast on CBS on Dec. 23. The occasion featured a tribute to the Grateful Dead by Dave Matthews, Maggie Rogers, Leon Bridges, and extra, performing songs like “Friend of the Devil,” “Ripple,” “Sugaree,” and “Not Fade Away.”
Matthews and Emmylou Harris took on Raitt’s traditional “Angel from Montgomery” and Brandi Carlile and Sheryl Crow carried out “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Robert DeNiro, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Al Pacino, and Laurence Fishburne have been there to honor Coppola, whereas Andy Garcia and Debbie Allen feted Sandoval.
